HONOLULU (KHON2) — On Wednesday, May 29, KHON2.com’s Unfit Adventurer decided to go and check out the Mānoa Falls Trail Hike. It’s one of Honolulu’s most popular hiking trails, up there with Lēʻahi (Diamond Head) and Koko Head.
The hike into the interior of Mānoa gave us many things to reflect upon.
The Mānoa Falls hiking trail is situated in the back of Mānoa Valley which is considered to be one of the most beautiful places in Hawaiʻi.
Known for its ānuenue (rainbows) the area around Mānoa Falls holds cultural significance for the Native Hawaiian people, with the lush valley being a source of inspiration and stories having been passed down from one generation to the next for centuries.
Efforts are ongoing to preserve the natural beauty and ecological health of the Mānoa Valley. Visitors are encouraged to respect the environment by not littering and following trail guidelines.
The trail is roughly a two-mile adventure round trip which makes it relatively short and accessible for most hikers. It is considered an easy to moderate hike, with a well-maintained path that can become muddy and slippery, especially after rain.
For our hike, it was raining which meant the waterfalls were gushing.
In contrast to the Koko Head hike, there isn’t much exchange between hikers or hiking groups. Folks seemed to keep to themselves… at first.
This all changed when we encountered a series of stairs that are tiny retaining walls meant to protect the trail from washing away from rain and flooding.
When we hit the first steps, Randall who is visiting from Portland, Oregan laughed and said, “it’s not much farther now. Don’t let the steps discourage you!”
With that, we took a breath and kept on going. Fortunately, there are mini views of the rushing water falling alongside the trail; so, it’s easy and pretty to stop for a few minutes to catch your breath and enjoy the views.
Sara, Mikayla, Timothy and Carlton were visiting from New Jersey and said they’d never seen anything more beautiful than the hike to the waterfall.
“This is such a gorgeous place,” said Mikayla. “Like, I’ve seen the pictures and the documentaries, but this just is so much more than that.”
“We have really enjoyed everything since we got here, but this really is something special,” said Carlton.
As we moved closer to the waterfall, we met Jonah. He’s visiting a friend in the Air Force and has been going on as many hikes as he can fit into his visit.
“Meh, it’s a nice hike, but it’s not spectacular,” said Jonah. “It’s an easy hike, but I feel like the experience is a bit of a letdown.”
Oliver and Judith from New Orleans made the hike with their friends Jerome and Natalie.
“Oliver came here 32 years ago when he played football for Tulane University,” said Judith. “It’s been a dream of his to come back; so, here we are. “
The four friends had a great time trekking to the falls and took a long time watching the water cascade down the side of the mountain.
As we turned to make our way back down the trail, we came face to face with Carrie. She exclaimed, “Oh my god, never again! You said this hike would be easy!” She was talking to Jayden, her boyfriend.
Jayden had convinced Carrie to take the hike since they live in a dense urban area in Detroit and never get to see tropical rain forests like this one.
“I’ll admit, this was a bit more difficult than I had expected,” he said as he gave Carrie a hug. “We don’t really get out for hikes usually.”
We were met lots and lots hikers wanting to know how much farther they had to go as we made our way down. Again, the stairs really make the hike a bit more difficult.
“I think we are going to turn around,” said Raj who was visiting from Seattle, Washington. “My mom is getting eaten by the mosquitoes, and she can’t make it up the steps.” He was with his large family group with keiki and kūpuna.
Rob and Marlene are from Fargo, North Dakota; said they visit Hawaiʻi on a regular basis. Rob’s father was in the military which is how he came to love the islands.
“We come out and visit and bring our son and his friends,” said Rob. They were traveling with their son, Nick, and his girlfriend, Mikana.
“We come out at least once a year, and we love this hike so much,” said Marlene. She has been taking physical fitness lessons from her son and felt like the hike this time was much easier.
“I think that for the simplicity of this hike, the views of the waterfall are a spectacular surprise,” said Nick.
The one resident we met was Kimiko. She lives in Mānoa and brings her two small keiki out each afternoon to work off their energy and get a recharge for herself.
“We’ve been coming to the hike for couple of years now,” explained Kimiko. “The kids love it; they can run around, expend that energy and learn some fun things about nature.” She couldn’t talk for long since her keiki were pulling her down the trail as we spoke.
Due to the muddy conditions, it is advisable to wear sturdy, waterproof hiking shoes. Bringing insect repellent, water, and snacks is recommended, as the humidity and exertion can be taxing.
The Mānoa Falls Trail, is part of the Honolulu Mauka Trail System and has long been open to the public, evolving into a cherished tourist destination. Historically, Native Hawaiians utilized the trail and its surroundings for hunting, gathering and bathing.
As Hawaiʻi’s tourism industry expanded, the trail’s popularity increased and make this hike an essential stop for those eager to experience the island’s rich natural and cultural heritage.
The Unfit Adventurer Rating for this hiking trail is: (ratings are out of a possible five hiking boots.)
Ease of hike for unfit folks
Views offered
Friendliness of fellow hikers
Worth the struggle
Feeling of accomplishment
So, if you decide to hike Mānoa Falls Trail Hike, then be aware that the experience for everyone who does it is different. You’ll need to rely on your own physical skills to determine whether this is the right hike for you.