Kapena Falls is a short, low waterfall (roughly 15-30 feet by various accounts) on Nuʻuanu Stream just above downtown Honolulu, reached by a short trail past banyan trees and a swimming hole. The trailhead is accessed through Nuʻuanu Memorial Park, and freshwater pools here can carry leptospirosis risk.
At 20 ft, it stands above roughly 12% of the 775 documented falls in this guide.
Kapena Falls sits on Nuʻuanu Stream. You'll find it in Honolulu, Hawaii. It is protected within unknown.
This is a short hike waterfall: reached by a short trail, generally under about a mile each way. A short walk gets you to the viewpoint, so it works for most casual visitors and families. The walk to the main viewpoint runs about 0.5 miles round trip. Base a visit out of Honolulu, the closest town.
When to go: year-round. Like most waterfalls, Kapena Falls runs highest after snowmelt or heavy rain and can thin out in late summer, so it's worth checking recent streamflow and the land manager's conditions page before a long drive.
