Onomea Falls is a multi-tiered waterfall on Onomea Stream within the privately operated Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden on the Hāmākua Coast just north of Hilo. It is viewed along the garden's boardwalk-and-path system through dense tropical plantings (paid admission).
Onomea Falls sits on Onomea Stream. It lies in Hawaii, Hawaii. The site is on public land managed by Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (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 Papaʻikou.
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.
