Chris took Jasmin and myself to what many would argue is the island’s most impressive waterfall – Kaliuwa’a Falls, located between Hau’ula and Punalu’u.

Nice day at the beach

It was also a beautiful day to be basking or swimming at the beach, but we were chasing a waterfall today. Photo by Chris Hiona.

Follow the trail

We followed the trail into the eerily empty park.

Passing the Board of Water Pumping Station

The only other soul we had for company was a BOW (Board of Water) employee that came to check the pumping station in the park.

Take the left fork

We followed the gravel road as it turned left towards the valley.

Headed into the valley

The gravel road turned into a grassy trail as we headed deeper towards the valley.

First stream crossing

Pushing through the chest high grass, we came across the first stream crossing.

Boulder road

We passed through several large boulders wedged against each other. There was also a smaller area above the boulders that looked like home for one or several pu’a or pigs. This valley is also associated with the Hawaiian demigod known as Kamapua’a, who was half-pig and half-man.

Follow the stream

We paralleled Kaluanui stream on the well-trodden path.

Second stream crossing

Looking across the stream, we saw a rope tied on a tree branch that served as a trail marker to cross over to continue the trail. The waters were relatively calm and shallow, which made for safe passage. Not safe crossing during and after heavy rains, as it would turn the stream into a flash flood of whitewater.

Pohaku laulau

Further down the trail, we came across a boulder with a pile of naked rocks and pohaku laulau (rocks wrapped in ti leaves). Some critics argue that wrapping ti leaves around rocks and offering them as prayers or offerings, is a corruption of the practice of  Ho’okupu where Hawaiians wrap ti leaves around real food and not rocks, as offerings.

Claustrophobic?

 We came to the point where the valley walls significantly narrowed to claustrophobic proportions.

Dry chute

A trickle of water coming down this otherwise massive dry waterfall chute.

Close

 We walked around the chute and saw the falls up ahead, along with tour choppers buzzing overhead.

Closer

If it wasn’t for the annoying sound of the choppers interrupting the atmosphere and ambience of the waterfalls, it would have been picture perfect.

Close enough

Another concern was that the sound from the helicopters were being amplified by the narrow canyon and ping ponging off the canyon walls, something that could trigger rock slides. Not good, especially in a confined space where there was no room to run.

Kaliuwa’a Falls

Group photo at Kaliuwa’a Falls left to right: Jasmin, myself and Chris. See all the assorted size rocks on the ground? It came from somewhere. Up.

Two waterfalls

 I managed to catch a second, smaller waterfall that was cascading down the left canyon wall.

The way out

Leaving the narrow canyon that was indeed home to an impressive waterfall. Photo by Chris Hiona.

Park closed

As we made our way back out to Kamehameha Highway, signs that we somehow missed coming in stated that the park was closed and hefty fines was the punishment. Oops. Upon doing some research, Kaliuwa’a Falls which is better known as Sacred Falls, was the scene of a rockslide back in 1999 that claimed eight lives and injured 50+ others. The State shut down the park and falls several days later and remains closed to the public.