Lulumahu Falls

I've always seen a bunch of cars pulled over on the side of the road on the pali highway while headed toward Kaneohe. I heard there was a hike and finally came to do it. It is located on private DLNR land so a PERMIT IS REQUIRED. Yes most people don't get one and don't usually get usually stopped. But there is a sign clearly posed at the trail head. So it's like wearing a seat belt, you don't have to, but it's the law. A permit is easily acquired online and it's only $2.50 and can be for multiple people. You can get it here. https://trails.ehawaii.gov/camping/all,details,57925.htmlDon't risk a ticket or have to turn back and ruin your day over $2.50 (per group) That's just dumb. The hike is relatively easy to moderate, you definitely need shoes. It's mostly shaded so no head covering is required. It goes thru a bamboo forest and ends at a waterfall. It's very easy to go off trail because there are also trails that pig hunters use to go to other areas. So you gotta use your powers of observation. Only stay on trails that are well trodden, if you see a bunch of newly fallen leaves it's probably the wrong way. Also follow the stream once you see it, you're hiking to a waterfall after all.Being in Nuuanu it can be rainy and muddy. If it's rained the day before or that day it will be muddy or even if it's rained hard a few days before. So be prepared for that or wait for another day. Being so moist there can be a lot of mosquitos so bring bug spray. The end of the trail is a waterfall which makes it a nice scenic hike, the water is no deeper than knee high so no swimming. There is a small waterfall feature just before the main falls so don't turn around then, it's just 30 more feet up that little hill to the main falls.

Maybe I'm not the most avid hiker, but shoutout to the people who are able to do this hike in flip flops. I wish I would've bought my hiking boots for this. I know it's only 1 mile to the waterfall and 1 mile back to the parking lot, but that terrain was uneven and rather difficult! I would rate this hike a moderate-to-hard hike. My friends and I came on a day it was raining, so maybe that's what also made it more difficult. The pathways were muddy and we had to cross through rivers and rocks to get to the waterfall. I needed a hiking stick because of how slippery & muddy the terrain was. When you get closer to the waterfall, the terrain is all incline, and you also have to scale some of the rocks, which can be difficult if you don't have proper shoes on. There is also an area where it is a steep line that you have to walk across between the rivers. The ledge is fairly high, so just be careful walking through. I wish I had brought my hiking shoes rather than my normal nike running shoes. At the end of the hike, my socks were completely wet from crossing small rivers and rocks. My shoes were covered in mud and I ended up just throwing them away since I had planned to throw them away anyways. The waterfall itself was alright. Maybe my overall mood was completely ruined from the trek it took to get there, but I thought the Waimea Falls were more beautiful. The Lulumahu Falls is a lot smaller. Since we went on a day it was raining, there was way less people, but even so, you have to wait for each group to finish taking photos so you can take a photo. And swimming in it feels tiny.

One of the BEST hikes on the entire island! We take all of our friends and family here. It's about two miles round trip. Fairly easy terrain, there are a few spots where you need to scale some wet rocks but as long as you stay sharp you shouldn't have any issues hiking it. Beautiful scenery throughout, bamboo forest, stunning open fields as you look around, and the waterfall is amazing and huge! This is easily one of the "best bang for your buck" hikes (yes, be a good citizen and pay the $2 hiking permit). Speaking of the permit, follow this link to make a reservation: https://trails.ehawaii.gov/camping/all,details,57925.htmlTIPS & TRICKS: * Put on your best hiking shoes (be prepared to get a little muddy) and your best water outfit (be prepared to stand under the falls for the best photo op!) * The trail isn't always easy to see, look for the pink ties on the trees that mark the way. Or just go during the day when there are plenty of people around to lead the way! * Enjoy every minute of this hike and leave the trail better than you found it! Mahalo!

About 20 minutes to the waterfall, and similar back. You can take a slightly different way back to go through a pretty open space overlooking a little body of water and with a nice view of the hills. The waterfall is fine, maybe 30 feet high, not spectacular. The trail was pretty easy to follow, keep an eye out for the pink ribbons on the trees. It starts at the south end of the parking lot, just outside the lot. The waterfall gets crowded.

The walk in the beginning is a little discouraging as you pass through a tattered gate, but you walk through this beautiful and serene bamboo forest and pass the river on rocks, but it gets a little steep and becomes a trek. I would definitely recommend shoes and not sandals. At the end there is a beautiful waterfall you can swim in that is worth the trek.

Ok hike but misleading reviews.I generally don't leave yelp reviews, but my mom tripped and fell and we felt misled by the reviews for this hike. Not a 20 minute hike. About an hour minimum each way. It's very slippery and muddy. While there is water at the end and it is nice, I wouldn't recommend if you have any water or a similar waterfall near you at home. Prepare to get wet and muddy. We weren't prepared and it ultimately was not worth it and would skip next time.

This is not to make fun of anyone, myself included, but holy cow if you come to this waterfall expecting a peaceful hiking experience with a gorgeous waterfall to yourself, you'll be disappointed by all the bikini-clad girls, influencers, and tourists who are snatching up spots to take Instagram-worthy waterfall photos. No joke, Lulumahu Falls is a hotspot for influencers and influencer-wannabes, and full of people who want to take pictures for social media...I mean, myself included. We arrived in a rush of a crowd who ALL wanted photos. Was it worth hiking here and getting photos? YES. We went through a bamboo forest, a gorgeous path, peaceful forests, climbed up slippery rocks, and followed the river to ultimately be rewarded with the gorgeous waterfall. We got a lot of fantastic photos in the morning before it got hot and sunny. Bring lots of bugspray since there's a lot of mosquitos, along with lots of sunscreen!

This hike was so beautiful. It was my 19 year old son and I, we are both active and the hike was challenging and fun. Follow the pink ribbons to find your way. It is very muddy and there are areas where you step through water, so anticipate getting your shoes muddy. I'd recommend wearing swimwear if you want to take a dip in the waterfall when you get to it.

This hike was hard! Keep in mind I'm. Huge girl so make sure you got good hiking boots! & expect to sweat! The trail it self it's nice however got lost twice kinda hard to find the tags they put up. The waterfall it self it's okay I've seen better, you can't really get in there and swim. Overall it was a good workout but will not do it again.

Once you get past the bamboo forest the trail is marked by neon (pink and orange) ribbons. It's best to stay to the right side of the trail. The left side will take you up the harder trail. We arrived around 8:30 am & were able to hike with other people. The waterfall is so worth it. Take extra clothes if you take a dip, & always pack up whatever you take in!