Lua’alaea and Aihualama Falls

by kenji SAITO on February 21, 2015

Hiking Lua'alaea and Aihualama Falls

Heavy rains the day before scuttled our plans to explore the Moilili Karst, so we fell back on the secondary hike. Met up with Aly, Jumar, Rebecca, Thessa and Tom at the Treetops parking lot in Manoa. Early birds beat the parking attendant.

Trailhead

Trailhead

Just follow the sign.

Don't get too close

Don’t get too close

If you know what’s good for you.

Manoa Falls Trail

Manoa Falls Trail

Something was missing? Crowds. No complaints.

Off the beaten trail

Off the beaten trail

We soon plunged into the forest to look for a less visited waterfall.

Waihi stream

Waihi stream

More rocks than water in the stream today.

Purple flowers

Purple flowers

You want some plowerrrs?

Mossy branches

Mossy branches

Making our way on the trail, which for the most part was clearly defined by pink ribbons and a well trodden path.

Wa'aloa stream

Wa’aloa stream

We followed the stream …

Lower falls

Lower falls

… to the lower falls of Lua’alaea.

Top of the lower falls

Top of the lower falls

Climbed up to the left to reach the upper waterfall. The main show. Canceled.

Lua'alaea Falls

Lua’alaea Falls

Scouting out a loose rock trail to the right of the falls. Another hike for another day. Photo by Tom Engle.

Upper falls

Upper falls

We had to settle for another trickling waterfall. Best viewed on a rainy day.

Canopy cover

Canopy cover

Sometimes you just have to look up.

A fallen tree

A fallen tree

Weight limit was four hikers sitting and one hanging.

Following the stream

Following the stream

We took a slightly different trail back.

All bite, no bark

All bite, no bark

This one had still had some fight left.

Fiddlehead

Fiddlehead

Add sea salt, butter, garlic, shallots and red pepper flakes to taste.

Tree hikers

Tree hikers

Aly, Tom’s niece, was an adventurous soul. She wanted to climb anything and everything, including this huge banyan tree. Photo by Tom Engle.

Hanging out

Hanging out

Checking out the ground view.

Closer

Closer

Fly ducks. Tom, get ready. Fly away.

Blast from the past

Blast from the past

Rebecca found an old department store card in the dirt of history. Remember Liberty House?

Lyon arboretum

Lyon arboretum

The group about to walk up the road to Lyon Arboretum to find another waterfall.

Looking for a princess

Looking for a princess

Kiss me.

Water lily pad flower

Water lily pad flower

National flower of Sri Lanka?

Underwater selfie

Underwater selfie

Group photo left to right: Thessa, Jumar, myself, Rebecca, Aly and Tom.

Assorted flora

Assorted flora

There are over 7,000 different tropical flora catalogued and collected on this 193 acre pasture.

Hale Halawai

Hale Halawai

No workshops today.

Tree trail

Tree trail

Parts of the trail meandered through cut tree roots.

Abandoned seismograph station

Abandoned seismograph station

Listen closely. Hear anything? Earthquakes?

Haunted?

Haunted?

Patter of ghostly feet?

Aihualama stream

Aihualama stream

Barely moist.

How do you pronounce that?

How do you pronounce that?

Do I look Hawaiian?

Aihualama Falls

Aihualama Falls

No crawfish were harmed in the making of this group photo. No waterworks today. So we made our own fun at the base of the waterfalls that were teeming with crawfish, frogs and shrimp. Sounds like a Chinese menu.

Back off

Back off

Pinch me from behind.

'Opae

‘Opae

From nature’s aquarium to Jumar’s aquarium.

All pau

All pau

The group walked back to our cars…

Burning rubber

Burning rubber

…to discover parking slips. Five bucks. Some chose to pay with their dust.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

Fun little hike exploring two waterfalls in the lush Manoa Valley. Post hike meal at The Alley Restaurant. Oxtail Soup. Broke da mouth. Sorry Kam Bowl.

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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

Lisa April 21, 2015 at 9:29 am

Aloha Kenji,

Thanks for posting your hikes and photos. I’ve been wanting to do the Mo’ole Waterfall hike but just haven’t found anyone or a group to go with yet. I was just wondering if Lua’alaea and Aihualama Falls are the same as Waihi Falls. Planning to do this one solo if I can’t find anyone. Any bit of info is much appreciated. Much
Aloha and Mahalos!!!

Lisa

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kenji SAITO April 21, 2015 at 9:24 pm

Aloha Lisa,
Glad you enjoyed the posts. I’m no waterfall expert, but I believe Waihi Falls or Kahuwaiiki Falls is separate from the other waterfalls. Mo’ole Falls can be a little tricky, especially the 2nd waterfall, hopefully you can find somebody to keep you company in the valleys!
Mahalo

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Lisa April 29, 2015 at 10:54 am

Aloha Kenji,
Sorry for the late response. Thank you for the information on the waterfalls. Loving the rain, just waiting for the winds to die down a little for these waterfall hikes. Wishing you and your friends safe and rewarding hiking adventures!!!

Mahalo

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kenji SAITO April 29, 2015 at 2:10 pm

Aloha Lisa,
Thanks and the same to you and your friends!
Mahalo

Reply

Matt January 17, 2017 at 1:09 pm

Awesome write up as usual and love the photos! Can you write a review of the Aihualama Trail and upload some of your photos here too: https://lookintohawaii.com/hawaii/35538/aihualama-trail-activities-oahu-honolulu-hi

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kenji SAITO January 18, 2017 at 1:36 pm

Aloha Matt,
Thanks but unfortunately I don’t have time to duplicate my posts. If you want to make a link to my site, that is fine with me. If not, thanks for stopping by.
Mahalo

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