Rainbow Falls - Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii

Even though it is only 80ft tall, Rainbow falls is definitely comparable to its neighbor, the impressive 442ft tall Akaka Falls. Rainbow Falls is one of the most easily accessible waterfalls on the Big Island. Its Hawaiian name is actually “Waiānuenue,” meaning “rainbow [seen in] water”. In Hawaiian mythology, Rainbow Falls was the home of the moon goddess Hina.

Where:
Rainbow Falls Parking Lot – 967 Waianuenue Ave, Hilo, HI 96720
Coordinates: 19°43’7.77″N 155° 6’30.74″W

Parking: There is a small parking lot that fills up quite fast

Hours: The falls are open during daylight hours

Restrooms: There are restrooms located in the parking lot

Distance: The viewing area is right next to the parking lot. The trail next to it is 0.2 miles round trip.

Elevation: about 40 feet

Level: Easy

Estimated Completion Time: 45 minutes if you want to visit the lookout and Banyan forest

Ideal Weather: Rainy season will give you a bigger waterfall, the downside is, it rains.

Ideal Time: Morning is best if you want to see the rainbow in the water.

Dog-friendly: Yes, but dogs must be kept on a leash.

THE ADVENTURE:

Whenever we find ourselves in Hilo, Hawaii, we always love to swing by Rainbow Falls. It is a quick stop to see these beautiful 80-foot tall waterfalls with a super cool but short trail right next to it. These falls are fed by the Wailuku River, which is the longest river in all the Hawaiian islands. Wailuku River spans a very impressive 26 miles long. At one point, this river was impassable during heavy rain. The locals decided to build three large bridges that span across the water which offer excellent views. The bridges also provide a direct route to the falls for both cars and hikers.

This waterfall is surrounded by lush, vibrant tropical foliage as well as very old, 60-70 foot tall mango trees. The mangos were thought to have been brought in by early Asian immigrants, who came to work on the plantations here. Sadly for Vy, we weren’t able to reach them. She loves few things more than Hawaiian fresh fruits.

One best thing about Rainbow Falls is that it is very easily accessible. If you have someone in your group that is not able to hike, it is not a problem. The viewing area for the falls is directly next to the parking lot and wheelchair accessible.

If you’re looking at the falls with the sun at the right angle, the mist from the falls creates a rainbow in the mist. This is how Rainbow Falls gets its name. The best time to see this is usually around 10 am. With our conflicting in our schedule, we haven’t been able to make it to Rainbow Falls in the morning to witness this famous rainbow. It was also raining the past few times we were there. However, even on a cloudy day, it’s mesmerizing to watch the water plummeting over the edge into a glistening teal cove at the bottom.

After spending some time at the viewing point, we recommend making that short hike up the stairs to the top of the falls. It is a very short hike but quite rewarding. You’ll get a very picturesque winding staircase that will take you on top of the falls. There are fences there to keep you from going down to the top of the falls. They are there for a reason, so please respect the rules and don’t trespass.

Once you’re up here, don’t go back, keep follow that trail to go into the super awesome Banyan forest. Banyan trees drop their roots from their canopy and are capable of enveloping entire trees with them. Their roots will eventually grow into separate sections of the tree trunks, becoming very dense and strong. They look like vines, but they are as hard as wood. In their native habitat, there have been reports of a single Banyan tree growing to cover several acres of land and being capable of shading entire armies.

There is just something so intriguing about these trees. They definitely capture the tropical vibe. You feel like you are in the middle of a rainforest, even though there is a road and some buildings less than 100 yards away. We have a little bit of a tradition in this forest. There is one Banyan tree that has a branch parallels the ground. Vy and I took a picture sitting on it on our first trip together to the islands. So when we went back, we had to, of course, take an updated photo. This tree is one of the smaller ones there. The star of the show is the gigantic tree that is in the middle of the small forest. It almost covers the entire area. This area is really fun to explore, The Banyans’ vines create narrow corridors and doorways that are pretty cool for those awesome vacation photo ops.

You definitely won’t spend a lot of time here at Rainbow Falls. However, it is definitely worth stopping by, especially if you haven’t been here already. If you want a longer hike with taller waterfalls, check out Akaka Falls nearby. Also, if you’re up for more adventure, Kaumana Caves, the unique lava caves are only 3.5 miles away. Don’t forget to check out our guide for 10 things to do on Big Islands.

You can also hear Dustin talk about some of our favorite things to do on the Big Island on the Between The Mountains Podcast

What are your favorite waterfalls on the Big Island?

Happy Adventuring. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, subscribe to our Youtube channel, and sign up for our newsletter!

RECOMMEND GEAR:

Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.

• Sunscreen:
We use eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen, Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen or Sun Bum Sunscreen.

• Water
Super short hike so you won’t technically need it, but we always recommend bringing water to any hike.

• Comfortable hiking shoes
The trail is paved so it’s not required but comfortable hiking shoes are recommended if you want to explore the little side trails along the way.
Vy’s shoes are North Face HedgeHog GTX.
Dustin’s shoes are Coleman Tasman Hiking Shoe.

• Waterproof Jacket or umbrella
It is quite possible that you can get rained on. We both have the Patagonia Houdini Jackets.

CAMERA GEAR:
• Camera:
Sony a7 III

• Lenses:
Sony 24 -70mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T Zoom Lens
Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX