Plunge · Hawaii
At 1,450 ft, Hiʻilawe Falls ranks among the tallest waterfalls in the United States — a plunge waterfall in Hawaii. That places it among the ten tallest waterfalls we track, at #6 by height.
Hiʻilawe Falls sits on Lalakea Stream. You'll find it in Hawaii County, Hawaii.
This is a backcountry waterfall: a remote, long, or permit-required trek for prepared visitors. Base a visit out of Honokaʻa, the closest town.
Trail details are compiled from the managing agency and trail databases. Conditions, closures, and required permits change — confirm with the land manager before you go.
● waterfall · ● trailhead · 20.0978, -155.5992 · Open in Google Maps. Coordinates mark the feature, not legal parking.
Hiʻilawe Falls has a documented drop of 1,450 ft (442 m). Reported waterfall heights can vary by source and whether they measure a single drop or a full cascade.
Hiʻilawe Falls is in Hawaii County, Hawaii, on Lalakea Stream.
Hiʻilawe Falls is backcountry — a remote, long, or permit-required trek for prepared visitors.
Name and coordinates from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS); height, access, and seasonal notes compiled from the sources above. Reported heights vary by measurement method — see our methodology. Conditions and access change; always check the managing agency’s current page before visiting, and follow Leave No Trace principles.