Kulaniapia Falls is a roughly 120-foot plunge on Waiau Stream on the lower slopes of Mauna Kea, about five miles upslope from Hilo. It sits on private land at The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls and is accessible only to lodging guests or day-pass holders, who can swim, kayak, or rappel the drop when conditions allow.
Its 120 ft drop is taller than about 78% of the 775 waterfalls we track.
Kulaniapia Falls sits on Waiau Stream. It lies in Hawaii, Hawaii. The site is on public land managed by The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls (private).
This is a short hike waterfall: reached by a short trail, generally under about a mile each way. The walk in is brief — comfortable shoes are usually all you need. The nearest town is Hilo.
When to go: year-round. Flow usually peaks after snowmelt and heavy rain and tapers through late summer — a quick look at recent streamflow and the managing agency's conditions page can save a wasted trip.
