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Rainbow Falls
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
18 reviews for Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls is part of the Wailuku River, which at 26 miles, is the longest river in all of Hawaii. Just above Rainbow Falls are Boiling Pots and Pe'epe'e Falls(not pee-pee, say it like peh eh peh eh). :)
If you are interested in seeing one, you may want to take a few extra minutes to see them all because they're just a short drive apart.
There are more fantastic waterfalls out there, but this is by far one of the most easily accessible. It's a short drive from downtown Hilo (about 10 minutes) and once you are parked, you can pretty much see the waterfall. There are a couple of viewing areas, depending on whether you want a quick look (steps on the right), or want to get a little closer after climbing some stone steps (on the left). If you look closely at the falls, you can see the cave behind the lower half of the 80 foot fall. Here lives the beautiful goddess Hina, mother of demigod Maui (or so the legends say).
Here's a little secret + disclaimer: I do not know if is legal and please know that it may not be safe to do so, so do it at your own risk: You can climb up 'behind' the falls (by the Banyan trees) and even get on the rocks up by where the water falls. If you do go back here, be careful, as the mud can be slippery. But remember, the Wailuku River is the River of Destruction (wai=water, luku=destruction).
Other useful info:
Restroom facilities are available
Small picnic area with drinking water is available.
If you get lucky and go at the right time, you can see the rainbow that gives this natural beauty it's name.
It's FREE to park and visit.
Overall: Nothing special...
We were in Hilo and heading back to the West side of the island and thought we'd pop by. The falls aren't that spectacular and reminded me of a smaller Snoqualmie Falls, except from the lush greenery around. The viewing area is easily accessible and a _VERY_ short walk from the car lot.
The falls are worth a visit, but don't expect to stay very long. This park also has picnic facilities as well as public toilets.
Before I left, one of my co-workers asked me to take photos of waterfalls and I didn't know if or when I might actually see one on my trip, but sure enough, one of the very first things my Dad took me to was to Rainbow Falls.
The walk from the parking lot to where you can actually see the waterfalls is pretty short. Along the way my Dad pointed out every plant, trees, flower and explained to me what it was. Quite a variety in just that one area (later I would find out that's nothing compared to all the that he had around his house). There are stairs off to left of the parking lot probably take you up to a place to get you closer to the falls, but we didn't walk up there. Instead we went to the place to view the falls as you see in all the photos that people have posted. I too took a number of photos and a video. Which I will be adding here upon my return home.
There was a good amount of water flowing and it made for a pretty nice sight. I can now tell and show my co-worker that I did see and take photos of a waterfall. :)
This was a complete surprise...got out of the car...and there it was!!! The best access to a waterfall...ever!!!
Esthetically, I am very fond of a "double" falls...so given the access, and the "design", it was a 4 star for me.
I would love to hike around this area in the future!!
This waterfall, although not as spectacularly high as Akaka Falls, is very nice none the less. It's located right above Hilo, so it is easier to get to. There seems to always be plenty of parking. The falls is pretty much a short walk from your parking space. When we went it was flowing pretty good and the roar of the water was impressive. It's just what you would imagine a Hawaiian waterfall to be. All that's missing is the tropical beauty washing off under the shower of water.
As a former Hilo local, my honey was giving me the must-see spots in his old area. Rainbow Falls was one of our stops :)
A quick drive from downtown, you'll find a beautiful waterfall that is extremely accessible. Ample parking, steps with side railings... Rainbow Falls is a great spot if you have a little time.
Since Hilo was having record rainfall, the waterfall and river was roaring. Because of all of the water, we were unable to do the secret hikes behind the falls nor do any jumps into the river from the rocks.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Either way- really beautiful. Especially for this mainland gal who rarely sees waterfalls :)
Rainbows Falls is beautiful, and very easily accessible, but it leaves a bit to be desired after all the gorgeous waterfalls on this island. You can take a short walk up some stairs to view the falls from above, or simply take a short walk across the parking lot and view them from below. Side rails offer protection for the little ones (or Pete).
In the past I have been on a beautiful hike here, but it the water level is really high and the falls are quite strong right now because of all the rain fall. It is definitely not the trickle that others have mentioned, and during early April of '09 did not appear to be anywhere near drying up! This is worth seeing if you are in the Hilo area.
This was a must-see according to our guidebook. I wouldn't say these are the most impressive or beautiful falls we visited though. Worth a stop, since you literally step out of the car and can see the falls.
Right in the middle of downtown Hilo, take Waianuenue Ave (Route 200) to Rainbow Falls
Just seemed weird that we drove up & right beside kids playing soccer in a city park (or maybe it was their school) there are the Falls - no hike to get there, no inviting walk to take you around; just BOOM, here are the Falls
The pics you see in all the mags & even on this site must have been taken in better times b/s this " waterfall " is nothing but a trickle & in fact, it looked like the water's flow was about to dry up all together
Disappointing......
No reason to stop at Rainbow Falls, yet no reason not to stop.
Whereas Akaka Falls is a must-see on a visit to the Big Island, Rainbow Falls can be missed without too much regret. Rainbow Falls is very small in scale as compared to Akaka Falls, so you won't be oohing and ahhing. But if you have the time (really, you only need 30 minutes, if that), it's a nice photo op.
Really easy to find from downtown Hilo--just take Waianuenue Avenue mauka. As an aside, you can impress your friends... wai=water, anuenue=rainbow. See, Rainbow Falls on "Water Rainbow" Avenue? Learn something new everyday, don'tcha?
Nice spot, feels a bit touristy with the big tour buses pulling through. A pretty picture but we didn't spend more than ten minutes here.
Cool small waterfall within 15 min of the Hilo airport. It's not as majestic as other Kauai waterfalls but if you have 1 hr to spare before heading to the airport and haven't seen any waterfalls, it may be worth a trek here since it's so close by.
Bottom line: If you didn't make it to Akaka, Rainbow may be for you.
Drive by nature.
Good for a quickie.
Seeing Rainbow Falls was a very underwhelming experience.
If you just happen to be in Hilo, go ahead and stop by Rainbow Falls to satisfy your curiosity, but spend the extra half hour to check out Akaka Falls.
Nice waterfall, but that's all it was... I wish there was more to look at, like at 'Akaka Falls.
This waterfall is extremely accessible from Hilo. If you have a couple hours to kill (even one hour will do), and it's a sunny day, head on up Waianuenue Avenue. While it's not as breathtaking as Akaka Falls, it's still very pretty. The parking lot is spacious, and once you get out you can walk about 20 steps to see the waterfall. Head to the left of the waterfall and climb the stairs for a different view. From the top of the steps, you can see why it's named "Rainbow Falls" as the sun hits the water falling to the river below creating a picturesque rainbow.
Because I rarely see waterfalls, I'm down for any opportunity. When I arrived, I heard the water and saw some stairs so I decided to walk up them. It shows the top of the fall but it wasn't such a great view. And when I was up there, I was thinking, man this can't be it. There has to be something else. And so I started following this trail that led to the forest and just saw a bunch of trees. I know people were feeling the same thing I was. Thinking if there was more to this water fall or if they were supposed to go into this dead end trail to find some thing else. But right before I was about to give up, I walked up this bridge/slope and there it was. HAHA. It was literally just a walk away and I didn't even have to walk up those damn stairs. I was tired from walking botanical gardens and akaka falls, I was glad that rainbow falls was just a really really really really short few steps away. I give it props for being a big waterfall and literally right next to where you park.
the falls are just outside downtown hilo. no reason not to stop by to see these falls. but nothing spectacular nor breathtaking.
