Is Maunawili Falls worth it?
Skip itLives up to the hype · +29Muddy jungle hike to a swimmable waterfall; the short trailhead closed in 2021
Usually not worth it. Older reviews love the swim and jungle, but the falls are modest and crowded and many rave reviews describe the closed short route.
Hype17How famous and hyped it is
Reality46Evidence-based, votes take over as they come in
4.6 ★ Google · 392 reviews— hypegap votes · be one of the first
Been to Maunawili Falls? Was it worth it?
One tap. No account. Your vote moves the Reality score.Is it worth it for you?
Worth it if…Editorial verdict until 5 active travelers vote
Worth it if you want a long, muddy jungle day with a swim at the end and can arrange a drop-off; otherwise skip.
Why Reality is 46
Lives up to its fame3/5Older reviews love the swim and jungle, but the falls are modest and crowded and many rave reviews describe the closed short route.
Value for money4/5Free, and a swimmable waterfall is rare near Honolulu, but you pay in mud and logistics.
Can’t get it elsewhere3/5One of few swimmable falls near town, but Mānoa Falls and Waimea Valley deliver waterfalls with far less hassle.
Easy to do1/5Main trailhead closed since 2021, no parking at the legal trailhead, more than double the distance, and slippery mud.
What people loved
A real swimming hole at the end, with jump spots around the fallsLush, shaded rainforest trail with stream crossings and hanging rootsThe longer Maunawili Trail adds Koʻolau cliff and windward views the old route lackedWhat wore them down
The short, easy trailhead has been closed since 2021; the legal route is more than twice as longNo parking at the Pali Hwy trailhead, so you need a drop-off or a long walk-in from KailuaExtremely muddy; most people slip and fall, and shoes get ruinedThe falls are modest, the pool gets crowded, and the water carries a leptospirosis riskParking & getting there
Don’t driveGet dropped off instead of driving: DLNR says there's no long-term parking at the Pali Hwy Maunawili Trail trailhead, and the old Maunawili neighbourhood trailhead is closed and patrolled. Don't park on residential streets.
- Maunawili Trail trailhead (Pali Hwy scenic overlook, drop-off only)trailhead · about 28 min walk · ★ 4.2 (65)Price not publishedMap
- No long-term parking at the Pali Hwy overlook trailhead; hikers must be dropped off dlnr.hawaii.gov
- Maunawili Estates trailhead closed since July 2021; private property with security and HPD patrols digital-release.khon2.com
Without a car: Rideshare drop-off at the Maunawili Trail trailhead on the Pali Hwy (about 25 min from Waikīkī), with a pickup arranged for later
Driving rules in Oʻahu
Skip the car while you're in Waikīkī: it's walkable, and TheBus covers Honolulu. Hotel parking there can cost about $69 a night (self-park at Hilton Hawaiian Village). Rent a car for the days you go beyond Honolulu (North Shore, windward coast, east-side lookouts and trailheads), and never leave valuables in it.
- Waikīkī hotel parking is expensive. Most Waikīkī hotels charge for overnight parking on top of resort fees. Hilton Hawaiian Village, for example, lists self-parking at about $69 plus tax per night and valet at about $89 plus tax. A week of self-parking can easily cost several hundred dollars, so many visitors rent a car only for the days they leave Waikīkī. costcotravel.com
- Car break-ins at beaches, trailheads and lookouts. Rental cars parked at trailheads, beach parks and roadside lookouts are targets for smash-and-grab break-ins, often within minutes. Past Oʻahu hot spots include Makapuʻu and Hālona lookouts (where HPD has trialled camera trailers) and the residential streets around Lanikai. Leave passports, laptops and spare phones in the hotel safe. Stow anything else before you arrive, not in the lot, and leave nothing visible in the car. hawaii-guide.com
- Diamond Head: reservation required to park (or enter). Non-residents must book online, up to 30 days ahead, for Diamond Head State Monument: $10 per vehicle for parking plus $5 per person entry, credit card only. There are no walk-ins, and you must arrive within the first 30 minutes of your time slot. Walking or cycling in also needs an entry reservation. gostateparks.hawaii.gov
- Hanauma Bay: entry reservation, cash-only parking. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve takes entry reservations 2 days ahead from 7:00 a.m. HST, with only limited walk-ins from 6:45 a.m. Parking is $3 per non-resident vehicle, cash only at the booth, and the lot closes to new cars when full. The preserve is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. honolulu.gov
Know before you go
See something out of date? Fix it right here.Booking: No permit; legal access only via the Maunawili Trail from Pali Hwy (drop-off) or the Kailua side
Access changeThe original Maunawili Estates (Maunawili Rd) trailhead has been closed since July 15, 2021 to protect cultural sites and the neighbourhood; a 2026 guide says it remains closed. The falls are reached only via the longer Maunawili (Demonstration) TrailSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
TrailheadMaunawili Trail starts at the scenic overlook just past the hairpin turn on the Pali Hwy, on the Kailua side of the tunnels; no long-term parking there, so you must be dropped offSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
TrailAbout 7 miles round trip out-and-back from the Pali Hwy trailhead (vs. roughly 3 miles on the old closed route); some hikers start from the Kailua side instead and report about 5 miles each waySource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
DifficultyModerate: long, very muddy, with stream crossings, slick rocks and roots; plan 3–5 hours on the current routeSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
EntryFree; no permit or reservationSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
From WaikīkīAbout 25 min by car up the Pali Hwy to the drop-off; no bus serves the trailheadSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
SeasonYear-round, but windward rain keeps it muddy; avoid during and right after heavy rain, when streams riseSource: Google reviews · Checked Oct 17, 2026
SafetyLeptospirosis risk in the pool; cliff jumping causes injuries (check depth). Don't use the closed Maunawili Rd trailhead: it's private property patrolled by security and HPDSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
Opening hours (Google)
- Monday: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Friday: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Sunday: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
In their words
“Currently went in 2021 before they closed the main path to get to the waterfall, for renovation but there’ll still closed as of 2024.”
“It was 5 miles in and 5 miles back.”
“Most people fall a few times because it can get so slick with mud throughout the trail.”
“The hike itself is alright, maybe 2 very nice spots to take pics before hitting the waterfall.”
Tips from people who went
No tips yet. Be the first to share one.
0/400 · no links · posts right away
Questions people ask
Is Maunawili Falls trail open?
The original trailhead in the Maunawili Estates neighbourhood has been closed since July 2021 and a 2026 guide reports it is still closed. The falls are reachable via the Maunawili (Demonstration) Trail from the Pali Highway.
How long is the hike to Maunawili Falls now?
About 7 miles round trip out-and-back from the Pali Highway trailhead, per Hawaii Magazine; plan several hours.
Where do you park for Maunawili Falls?
There is no long-term parking at the Pali Highway trailhead, so DLNR says hikers must be dropped off. Don't park in the Maunawili neighbourhood.
Can you swim at Maunawili Falls?
People do swim and jump, but the stream can carry leptospirosis, and you should check depth before jumping.
Better fits, according to people who went
Sources
- DLNR – Maunawili Falls Trail closed for improvement project (Jul 2021)
- HawaiiGuide – Maunawili Falls Trail (updated Apr 2026)
- Hawaii Magazine – Escape to Maunawili Falls with this alternative trail (2023)
- KHON2 – Despite closure, hundreds continue to try hiking popular trailhead (2021)
- Google Maps – Maunawili Falls Trail