Hiking the Luaʻalaea Falls Trail on Oʻahu

Distance: 2.0 miles / 3.2 km

Of the six waterfalls in Mānoa Valley, the Luaʻalaea Falls Trail is easier than some and harder than others. For comparison, Mānoa and ʻAihualama are the easiest, while Kahuwaiʻiki is the hardest.

In order from left to right or north to south the six waterfalls in Mānoa are ʻAihualama, Mānoa, Kahuwaiʻiki, Luaʻalaea, Naniuapo, and Waiakeakua.

Luaʻalaea Falls Trailhead Parking

Parking for the Luaʻalaea Falls Trail is located in the same parking lot as Mānoa Falls.

There is a small fee to park here, but know that parking is illegal along the side of the short road prior to the paid parking area.

Google Maps Directions: Luaʻalaea Falls Trailhead

No Parking Signs Outside of Mānoa Falls

Mānoa Falls Trailhead Parking

Mānoa Falls Parking Attendant

Mānoa Falls Trailhead Parking

 

Hiking the Luaʻalaea Falls Trail

The Luaʻalaea Falls Trail follows the Mānoa Falls Trail for the first 0.25 miles (0.4 km) before branching off.

Mānoa Falls Trailhead

Mānoa Falls Trailhead

Mānoa Falls Trail

Mānoa Falls Trail

Mānoa Falls Trail

Luaʻalaea Junction

At the small bridge in the photos below, turn right of the Mānoa Falls Trail to begin the Luaʻalaea Trail.

Read My Separate Post: Mānoa Falls Trail

Luaʻalaea Falls Junction

Luaʻalaea Falls Junction

Waihī Stream

The Luaʻalaea Falls Trail will cross the Waihī Stream almost immediately after leaving the Mānoa Falls Trail.

Waihī Stream Crossing

Luaʻalaea Falls Trail

Luaʻalaea Falls Trail

Eventually, the trail will follow a flat muddy path resembling what could have been an old road.

Luaʻalaea Falls Trail

When the flat muddy stretch comes to an end, the trail will turn left up the hill.

Luaʻalaea Falls Trail

Luaʻalaela Ridge Junction

The photo below is the Luaʻalaea Ridge junction.

Turn right for the Luaʻalaea Falls Trail. Luaʻalaea Ridge is a hike for another day, and it’s one that I don’t recommend. There are much better nearby trails to reach the Koʻolau Summit, such as Mānoa Middle.

Turn Right

Luaʻalaea-Naniuapo Junction

Shortly after the Luaʻalaea Ridge junction, the trail will come to another split for Luaʻalaea and Naniuapo Falls.

Turn left to continue hiking toward Luaʻalaea Falls.

Turn Left

Luaʻalaea Falls Trail

After the Naniuapo junction, the hike to Luaʻalaea Falls should be much more straight forward.

The trail is decently trafficked compared to other Mānoa waterfalls, and it’s nothing more than following the Luaʻalaea Stream as you hike.

Luaʻalaea Falls Trail

Luaʻalaea Falls Trail

Luaʻalaea Falls Trail

Luaʻalaea Falls Trail

Luaʻalaea Falls Trail

Luaʻalaea Falls Trail

Luaʻalaea Falls Trail

Luaʻalaea Falls Trail

Toward the end of the hike, the trail will be less and less frequent as the walls of the gulch close in, eventually disappearing altogether.

Luaʻalaea Falls Trail

Lower Luaʻalaea Falls

Just prior to Luaʻalaea Falls is the Lower Falls, which can be hiked around on the left side.

Luaʻalaea Falls Trail

Lower Luaʻalaea Falls

Luaʻalaea Falls

Luaʻalaea Falls will be located just past the Lower Falls, and more than likely, you will have the entire waterfall to yourself.

Not many people venture away from the popular Mānoa Falls Trail.

Luaʻalaea Falls

Native Plants on the Luaʻalaea Falls Trail

In terms of Hawaiʻi hiking, Mānoa and Luaʻalaea Falls are relatively low-elevation trails, meaning that they are dominated by non-native/ invasive plants, like Shoe button and other weeds.

However, there are a few native species to look out for, such as Māmaki, ʻĒkaha, and Hau to name a few.

If you are curious about trying the native Hawaiian Māmaki tea, I kindly ask that you don’t harvest Māmaki from our native forests but, instead, buy from one of the local reputable vendors, such as those listed below.

All said, if you would like to learn more about native Hawaiian plants from across the islands, check out my separate post below.

Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide

ʻEkaha - (Asplenium nidus)

@noahawaii

Hi,

Iʻm a self-taught adventure photographer living on the island of Oʻahu.

@noahawaii

https://noahlangphotography.com/
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Hiking the Mauna Loa Trail to Red Hill Cabin (Puʻu ʻUlaʻula) in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

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Hiking the Kahuwaiʻiki Falls Trail on Oʻahu