Valley of the Temples Waterfalls

by kenji SAITO on July 12, 2015

Hiking Valley of the Temples Falls

Remnants of tropical storm Ela were set to batter the islands this weekend. Heavy rains forecasted. Great for exploring waterfalls. A sucker is born every minute.

Where's the water?

Where’s the water?

Met up with Chris and Gen for our waterfall exploration in a Windward neighborhood. Barking dogs and inquisitive neighbors were our only company walking on the dry stream bed.

Tree fungi

Tree fungi

Fallen trees criss crossed the stream bed.

Hau trees

Hau trees

Climbing and weaving through the tangled thickets.

Ginger shampoo

Ginger shampoo

Now all we need is water. Where is the water?

Follow the fence

Follow the fence

Flashbacks to the KST and WST.

Mossy rocks

Mossy rocks

Sitting stones gather a lot of moss.

Drainage ditch

Drainage ditch

Too many spider webs to crawl inside. The stream bed eventually dumped us to a water tank where we saw low hanging clouds covering the mountain tops which resulted in a few sprinkles. Not enough. But the heat was on full blast. All day.

Shortcut

Shortcut

We pushed our way up to the ridge to get a glimpse of the promised waterfalls.

Bushwhacking

Bushwhacking

Lots of uluhe ferns to wade through today. Fun, fun, and more fun.

Ocean view

Ocean view

Looking out towards Kaneohe Bay and Mokoli’i or Chinaman’s Hat.

Chutes

Chutes

The waterfalls on this side do not flow unless the mountains get a good soaking from Mother Nature. We were banking on the heavy rain. Little did we know that the bank was closed this weekend.

Floaters

Floaters

We followed the ridge down to the stream where ripened mountain apples were so abundant they were falling off the trees.

Waterfall #1

Waterfall #1

The stream lead us to our first waterfall.

Group photo

Group photo

The waterworks were not on full blast. But it was still a good show.

Cooling off

Cooling off

One way of shaking off the heat.

Downstream

Downstream

We followed the stream down, hoping it would lead to the other two waterfalls. No such luck.

Blue skies

Blue skies

What happened to the rain?

Tracking

Tracking

We had to bushwhack up through a dense jungle of uluhe ferns to get back on the ridge. The heat and humidity were stifling almost to the point of heatstroke.

Going down

Going down

Chris making his way down to the stream.

Waterfall #2

Waterfall #2

We followed the bend in the stream and it lead us to our second waterfall.

Group photo

Group photo

Wishing it would rain.

Roping down

Roping down

We had to contour around a small waterfall.

Bonus waterfall

Bonus waterfall

This waterfall.

Mountain

Mountain

We made our way up the ridge again with the resonating tones of the brass bell coming from the nearby Byodo-in temple.

Down

Down

Chris and Gen making their way down, mindful of the false drops.

Waterfall #3

Waterfall #3

Group photo at the last waterfall.

Downstream

Downstream

We followed the stream down to make our way out.

Tire swingers

Tire swingers

Our afternoon amusement.

Beating the bushes

Beating the bushes

Chris found a thick branch and used it to beat a trail back to the ridge.

Spot of tea

Spot of tea

Relaxing at the gazebo. We didn’t want to leave.

Back on the road

Back on the road

We retraced our steps back to the water tank and dropped back down into the dry stream bed.

All pau

All pau

Our meandering waterfalls hike covered just shy of two miles. Bushwhacking through the thick uluhe forest made it seem longer. Post hike meal at Brick Oven Pizza.

Leave a Comment

{ 54 comments… read them below or add one }

Jose July 26, 2015 at 4:14 pm

Sr kikaida, I would like to get directions to these beautiful waterfalls.. If you don’t mind to share ..

Reply

kenji SAITO July 31, 2015 at 8:28 am

Howzit Jose,
Directions sent to you. We should go again when it’s storming! That’s the only time to see these waterfalls!
Mahalo

Reply

Ani August 8, 2015 at 4:49 am

Please send me the directions Mr. Saito. And I would love to go on this hike with you please.

Reply

kenji SAITO August 8, 2015 at 6:23 am

Aloha Ani,
Okay will let you know the next time we go. Has to be raining long and hard for this one to really work!
Mahalo

Reply

Anites Lagpacan August 30, 2020 at 2:19 am

Can you please email me the track for Valley of the Temple pls?

kenji SAITO September 4, 2020 at 1:46 pm

Aloha Ani,
I thought I did, but will be sending it out shortly.
Mahalo

Kayla August 3, 2015 at 2:06 pm

Hey, I loved the pics and have been interested in finding these waterfalls. Would you also be able to send me directions?

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kenji SAITO August 3, 2015 at 8:41 pm

Aloha Kayla,
Thanks for visiting my blog. Glad you enjoyed the pics. I will email you shortly.
Mahalo

Reply

Carla August 11, 2015 at 10:02 am

Hi Mr. Saito,

I would like to do this hike this week, hopefully with the storm coming there will be nice waterfalls. If you don’t mind, can you please send me directions to this hike.

Thank you so much,
Carla

Reply

kenji SAITO August 11, 2015 at 11:27 pm

Aloha Carla,

Thanks for visiting my blog. Unfortunately, I have been asked not to disclose the location of this waterfall. However, with some digging around you can find the location through the name of the falls. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.

Mahalo

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Kyle August 27, 2015 at 12:53 pm

Hey Kenji,

Great website! I would love directions to this hike if you would be so kind to share.
Keep up the good work!
Aloha,

-Kyle

Reply

kenji SAITO August 27, 2015 at 2:00 pm

Aloha Kyle,

Thanks for dropping by and glad you enjoyed the posts. Sorry as I told others, I have been asked not to disclose the location of the site. But with some digging, you can find this on your own through just the name of the falls. Hope this helps and hope you find it!

Mahalo

Reply

Sandra Y W Chun September 20, 2015 at 11:01 pm

Beautiful pictures !! Love the Gazebo!!

Reply

kenji SAITO September 21, 2015 at 5:52 pm

Aloha Sandra,
Thanks! Yup we loved the gazebo so much, we didn’t want to leave!
Mahalo

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Duane hipperson October 26, 2016 at 7:14 pm

Aloha Kenji… I’ve been reading about koolaupoko chutes for awhile and I went three times to try and find them and got lost. I understand the importance of secrets but if u would email me the general area that will be great and I’ll try to find it… I believe it starts by this gated community dead end by ahuimanu but not too sure. Lmk… thanks

Reply

kenji SAITO October 26, 2016 at 10:35 pm

Aloha Duane,
I emailed you the general location. However, the falls generally don’t make a show unless during a period of heavy rain and watch out for flash flood conditions as well. I think it took us around six hours plus round trip as some areas were heavily overgrown and we were taking our time. We only explored the chutes that we could see that were flowing. Stay safe and have fun.
Mahalo

Reply

Duane hipperson October 26, 2016 at 7:21 pm

Also how long is this round trip? I was examining the area and it doesn’t look too long however the bushwacking and going up the stream seems challenging

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Brianne November 21, 2016 at 5:42 pm

I too would love directions to these waterfalls if you wouldn’t mind. Thank you for the beautiful photos.

Reply

kenji SAITO November 22, 2016 at 10:17 am

Aloha Brianne,
I will email you shortly.
Mahalo

Reply

Sandra Chun November 21, 2016 at 10:19 pm

hi Kenji, thank you for the beautiful photo’s, mountain apples!!!! Tire swings, gazebo !!!

aloha

Reply

kenji SAITO November 22, 2016 at 10:21 am

Aloha Sandra,
Thanks! Yes it was a nice little adventure replete with trail snacks.
Mahalo

Reply

Nadine December 9, 2016 at 2:43 pm

Hi Kenji:
Can you email me instructions please? Mahalo!

Reply

kenji SAITO December 9, 2016 at 9:42 pm

Aloha Nadine,
I will email you shortly. Stay safe and have fun.
Mahalo

Reply

Liz January 29, 2017 at 9:03 pm

Hey Kenji, so I was following some leads to finds these certain waterfalls and I was lead to your page, the waterfalls look very similar to a ko’olaupoko chutes wondering if they’re the same and if I could get directions trying to find new places to explore. I would greatly appreciate it ! :) -liz

Reply

kenji SAITO January 30, 2017 at 11:13 am

Aloha Liz,
I will email you later with directions. Be safe and have fun.
Mahalo

Reply

Kasia March 7, 2017 at 10:25 am

Hey Kenji,

Great blog you have with all your adventures. Would love to get directions to this waterfall if you don’t mind. I enjoy hiking for clarity and connecting with the elements.

Thanks,
Kasia

Reply

kenji SAITO March 7, 2017 at 11:16 pm

Aloha Kasia,
Thanks! I will email you later with directions.
Mahalo

Reply

Brandon June 11, 2017 at 6:35 pm

Aloha, Kenji! If you’re still willing to give out general directions to this or Ko’olaupoko Chutes, I’d truly appreciate it.

Mahalo!

Brandon

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kenji SAITO June 11, 2017 at 9:22 pm

Aloha Brandon,
I will email you the general directions shortly. Stay safe and have fun.
Mahalo

Reply

Keri November 11, 2017 at 10:36 am

I really want to find these amazing waterfalls. Would you email me the directions please?

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kenji SAITO November 12, 2017 at 10:57 pm

Aloha Keri,
I will send you the general directions shortly. Stay safe and have fun.
Mahalo

Reply

Keri November 13, 2017 at 7:15 am

Okay! Thank you:)

Tina November 16, 2017 at 11:44 am

I would like directions on how to get to these waterfalls. Thank you in advance

Reply

kenji SAITO November 17, 2017 at 11:02 am

Aloha Tina,
I will email you shortly. Stay safe and have fun.
Mahalo

Reply

Apple November 19, 2017 at 1:04 pm

Hi, would like to do this hike but can’t seem to find directions and trail map. Do you mind sharing?
Thanks, Apple G

Reply

kenji SAITO November 22, 2017 at 5:53 am

Aloha Apple,
I emailed you the general directions. Stay safe and have fun.
Mahalo

Reply

Derek November 24, 2017 at 1:29 pm

Hi Kenji,

Could you please send me the directions to the chutes too?
Love your website, I always use it as a reference before every hike! Thank you!!

Reply

kenji SAITO November 26, 2017 at 8:21 pm

Aloha Derek,
Thanks. I emailed you the directions. Please stay safe and have fun.
Mahalo

Reply

Ann January 29, 2018 at 9:33 pm

Looks,beautiful what level hike is. Could you send me info. Thank you

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kenji SAITO January 30, 2018 at 9:54 pm

Aloha Ann,
Thanks, the general area is in the Valley of the Temples area. The chutes are not flowing unless the area gets a good soaking, you can see it from the road before you hike in. Be respectful of the neighbors and exercise discretion, courtesy and common sense.
Mahalo

Reply

Alexandra October 5, 2018 at 11:01 pm

Hello,

My name is Alexandra and I moved to Oahu 9 month ago. I keep following your blog and it is honestly one of my favourite so far out of all.
I adore hiking no matter if that a ridge or waterfall hike.

I would like to ask if there is any chance you could share with me the area where the trail starts?
That would be super great especially because when it is rainy my only favourite thing to do is chasing falls and these chute ones are calling me bad! I just don’t wanna end up someone’s backyard and bushwack all the way there!

Thank you so much in advance!

Keep up the good work!

Mahalo,
Alexandra

Reply

kenji SAITO October 8, 2018 at 12:15 am

Aloha Alexandra,
Thanks. Glad you are enjoying all that the aina has to offer. Thanks for being my sole reader, truly appreciate it :). Will send you directions later.
Mahalo

Reply

Curtis October 16, 2018 at 11:40 am

Great pictures! Could you send me the info on how to get there? We wanted to check this out when we get a good rain. Thanks!

Reply

kenji SAITO October 18, 2018 at 5:51 am

Aloha Curtis,
Thanks. I emailed you the tracks. Stay safe and have fun.
Mahalo

Reply

Christina Davila August 1, 2020 at 9:33 pm

Aloha! Ive heard of these waterfalls thank you for sharing! I would appreciate directions if you care to share, I want to take my family since my brother is back home again<3

Reply

kenji SAITO August 25, 2020 at 11:40 pm

Aloha Christina,
I sent you the tracks awhile back but the email bounced.
Mahalo

Reply

Kai N December 28, 2020 at 1:11 pm

Hi was interested In directions to the hike please. Thank you. Amazing photos by the way.

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kenji SAITO January 2, 2021 at 7:29 am

Aloha Kai,
I sent you the information. Stay safe and have fun!
Mahalo

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Karissa March 9, 2021 at 4:28 pm

Wow how do I get here? Where is the entrance?

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kenji SAITO March 10, 2021 at 8:55 am

Aloha Karissa,
I will email you.
Mahalo

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Andrea March 18, 2021 at 7:18 pm

Hi!! Any way you’re still sending info or a map of this hike ?! I’d love to check it out !

Reply

kenji SAITO March 19, 2021 at 6:26 am

Aloha Andrea,
Sent you directions.
Mahalo

Reply

Preston Swann March 20, 2021 at 6:49 am

Aloha Kenji!
This looks amazing! One of the few waterfalls left on Oahu that I haven’t been to yet! If you are willing to share directions and trailhead location info, I’d love the assistance….otherwise my friends and I will be bushwhacking our way to what we hope to be the 3 waterfalls.

Reply

kenji SAITO March 25, 2021 at 10:20 am

Aloha Preston,
I will email you the tracks. Hope this helps. Also it’s best to explore these during a period of heavy rain and also watch for flash flooding conditions as well. You can see the falls flowing from the road, if you don’t, then turn around.
Mahalo

Reply

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