Lulumahu Falls Trail, HI

Lulumahu Falls is a local gem with cool waters and a lush rainforest setting.

Logistics/Getting There
Lulumahu Falls is located off Pali Highway, near the Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout.
From Waikiki, take H-1 East towards Honolulu. Take Exit 17A for Pali Highway and follow for approximately 7 miles. There's a designated dirt parking lot on the Pali Highway, right before the Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout. Spots can fill up quickly, so arrive early or be prepared for alternative parking along the highway shoulder.


Trailhead
The trailhead has a sign with hunting regulations (apparently locals hunt goats and pigs in the area), and you will find two well-worn paths leading towards the reservoir from the parking lot. If it has rained recently and things are muddy, take the left-hand path at the fork; it is slightly longer but puts you on the paved utility road that runs along the edge of the reservoir and reduces the distance you will spend tramping through the mud.Navigation:
The trail to Lulumahu Falls is not officially maintained and can be muddy and slippery. It's more of an adventure path than a marked route. For navigational purposes, downloading a GPS app or map beforehand is highly recommended. The path winds through a bamboo forest, along the Nuʻuanu Reservoir, and eventually crosses streams to reach the waterfall. Be mindful of potential route forks and try to avoid social trails that do not take you to your intended destination. Following the watercourse is the best option in most situations when in doubt. Two chain link fences had to be passed through or around in the vicinity of the reservoir so be aware that this is "normal" just don't trespass in the reservoir itself.

Weather
Rain showers are common in Oahu. While the falls are always flowing, the trail can get extra muddy and slippery after rainfall. Consider bringing trekking poles for added stability and water crossings.
Wear quick-drying clothes and shoes with good tread for navigating wet and uneven terrain.
Flash floods are a possibility, so avoid hiking during heavy rain or if there's a flash flood warning.

Trail Conditions
The hike is considered moderate due to the muddy terrain, stream crossings, and uneven footing. We didn't bring water shoes because we didn't know what we were getting into. By the end of the trail Victoria had abandoned rock hopping and was wading through each creek crossing. I managed to make it through with almost completely dry hiking shoes (but even that was a near-run thing). I recommend either starting with water shoes, I would wear my 5 fingers to do it again, or at least bringing water shoes to switch into once you get past the reservoir. We did come across a native doing his ablutions in traditional dress (loincloth, tattoos, and little else) and he was doing the entire hike barefooted so that is an option.


General Comments and Musings:
Lulumahu Falls is a beautiful spot, but unlike the more commercialized trails on the island, is less civilized/sanitized (just the way we like it). The spot is becoming more popular, so be prepared to wait at creek crossings for other groups to pass. As mentioned above, we came across a native while hiking this trail. He was completing a ritual at the lower pool when we reached the area. I had heard that the natives were not particularly friendly to Americans (specifically white people) given the islands were annexed by the U.S. in (relatively) recent history from a few people who visited the islands before. So, we tried to be respectful of what appeared to be a ritual of significance (he was in quasi-traditional dress and chanting in the native language) by not simply hiking past, and waited for him to finish first. He seemed perfectly friendly to us though and passed a few comments on the flow of the waterfall so maybe native hostility towards tourists is a thing of the past? Anyway, this was a great trail and the first we explored that wasn't fully commercialized and "civilized". It was refreshing to find a trail on Oahu that is still wild.

2024-05-18 KingLeonidas