The Hawaiian Islands are an absolute paradise, home to countless pristine beaches, majestic mountains, awe-inspiring jungles, and cascading waterfalls. But there are some spots more heavenly than others, like the meandering Wailuku River. The second largest of all the rivers in Hawaii, the Wailuku River flows 28 miles along the line where lava from Hawaii Island’s two major volcanoes — Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea — meet. The river eroded a gorge in the lava flow and created a simply heavenly landscape and we just can’t get enough of it!

Let's start with some of the basics:
Tristan Schmurr/Flickr
Meandering from 10,000 feet above sea level along the eastern slope of Mauna Kea to the Pacific Ocean in Hilo, the Wailuku River is a thing of beauty.
It's also home to countless incredible cascading waterfalls — both named and unnamed.
Jeff Moore/Flickr
If you were to do search for “waterfalls near me,” the name will most likely surface at the top of the list.
A popular destination among tourists visiting Hilo, the most easily accessible cascade found along the Wailuku River is Rainbow Falls.
Al Case/Flickr
A short trail from the parking lot offers views from the waterfall’s summit, and if you visit on a sunny morning, you might experience how the falls got its name — waianuenue means rainbow in Hawaiian. The waterfall is 80 feet tall, and nearly 100 feet in diameter — impressive, considering that many of Hawaii’s greatest waterfalls are mere trickles in comparison.
Located just one mile past the famous Rainbow Falls is an equally gorgeous — but dangerous — natural phenomena.
Megan Shute/OnlyInYourState
The Pe’epe’e Falls, pictured here, feeds a series of several pools known as the boiling pots.

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Connected by a series of cascading waterfalls along columns that were formed from the slow cooling of basalt lava, these pools appear to be bubbling — almost as if they were boiling.
Frank Hamm/Flickr
That seems kind of strange in a state where the temperature is so hot anyway!
Also found along the Wailuku River is an area affectionately referred to as "Narnia."
Sachin Shriwastav/Google Maps
Hidden, ethereal, and completely not of this world, this destination is home to at least four stunning waterfalls cascading down a lush, emerald green cliff that faces into one pool of water. Unfortunately, the trail to reach this oasis is off-limits.
Equally impressive and far easier to access is this series of unnamed waterfalls.
Megan Shute/OnlyInYourState
They are viewable from the bridge on Wainaku Street in downtown Hilo.
In Hawaiian, wai means fresh water and luku means destruction, so put together, Wailuku translates loosely to "River of Destruction."
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
That's fitting given the countless raging waterfalls you'll find here, wouldn't you agree?
The best way to experience the beauty of this Hawaiian river is from designated overlooks and bridges.
Robert Linsdell/Flickr
Flash flooding in these pools is common, and because there are no lifeguards, many have perished in the river by getting sucked into the water and becoming trapped within concealed lava tubes and caves. In fact, the Wailuku River accounts for approximately 25 percent of all river drowning deaths in the state.

Address: Hilo, HI, 96720

Have you experienced the ethereal beauty of the Wailuku River and its many waterfalls for yourself? If so, which was your favorite part? We’d love for you to share your experiences and opinions in the comments, then join our Hawaii Nature Lovers Facebook group to share your own photos.

And if you want to experience the best waterfalls Hawaii Island has to offer, then embark on this epic waterfall and wine-focused road trip.

If you’re still in the mood for more Hawaii adventures, take a look at this video:

 

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More to Explore

Enjoy the Great Outdoors in Hawaii

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | May 02, 2023

Where can we find other rivers in Hawaii?

  • The Waimea River in Honolulu County is one of the longest in the state and flows through beautiful Waimea Canyon.
  • The Hanalei River on the island of Kauaʻi has been designated as an American Heritage River for its history and beauty.
  • The Anahulu River (also called Anahulu Stream) on Oahu was once the home to some of the original Hawaiian Islanders back in the day near the mouth of the river.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other picturesque rivers in Hawaii.

Where can we enjoy the best views in Hawaii?

  • The Polulu Valley Lookout in Kapaau offers dramatic views of small offshore islands, cliffs, and a black sand beach off Hawaii's northeastern coastline.
  • The Waimea Canyon Lookout in Kauai looks over what is sometimes referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" - Waimea Canyon.
  • Mauna Kea on the island of Hawaiʻi is the highest point in the state of Hawaii at 13,796 feet above sea level and provides dramatic 365-degree views as far as the eye can see.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other places to enjoy the best views in Hawaii.

Where can we find abandoned places in Hawaii?

  • The Outdoor Theatre in the Waimea Valley is a beautiful abandoned outdoor theatre with decaying wooden benches in a picturesque forest environment.
  • The Waialee Home for Wayward Boys in Oahu was where troubled young men were sent for rehabilitation between 1906 and 1947.
  • The Marconi Wireless Center between the towns of Kawela Bay and Kahuku was used for communication with other Hawaiian Islands and between the U.S. Mainland during World War I.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other cool abandoned places in Hawaii.

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Wailuku River, Hawaii 96720, USA