Hamama Falls is a beautiful waterfall hike through Waihee Valley on Oahu’s windward side, and it is also officially closed. The trail runs through Board of Water Supply land with no legal access available, no permits, and active enforcement. Fines run up to $2,000 and require a court appearance. This post covers what the hike is like, what the closure means, and where to go instead.
Three Attempts (and a Lot of Bad Luck)
My introduction to Hamama Falls was through my baby hui, a group of moms with babies strapped to our backs and toddlers scouting ahead for bugs and sticks and rocks. At around 3 miles round trip it was slow going, but the kids were in high spirits and we slowly made our way to the falls. The return trip was less fun. I was wearing a newborn Mila in a wrap and as we started back, she had an epic poo-splosion. I had no spare diaper. Nothing to even assemble a makeshift diaper. Plus Micah was tired, so I had to carry them both back the last mile.
Attempt number two was with visiting family. We got stuck in multiple rain squalls before my brother-in-law slipped and hurt his leg. We had to do some kid shuffling and again I ended up carrying both kids back from the falls.
Despite the bad luck, it’s really a good hike, so we tried a third time with just our family of four. In my head this hike was 90% covered so we headed out mid-day. In reality it was maybe 20% covered and unbearably muggy. The result was an extremely cranky, whiny child who demanded flowers every couple of feet. The only way to get him to move was to carry him. The combination of too much sun the day before, the sweaty toddler on my back, and just being overall out of shape made it a long hike to the falls. And because we have the worst luck on this hike, there was another poo-splosion.
I tell you all of this because Hamama Falls earned its place in my memory despite every attempt to ruin it.
What the Hike Is Like
The trail follows a wide, gravel road through Waihee Valley, wide enough that our group of moms walked alongside each other with room to spare while the toddlers ranged ahead. The early stretch is exposed and sunny, with the occasional epic banyan tree offering a welcome break from the unrelenting heat. The trail climbs gradually, opening up to glimpses of the coastline in a few spots before the valley closes in around you.
Closer to the falls the trail gets denser and more covered. The air shifts. Then you hear it, and then you see it: a tall, thin ribbon of water dropping from a serious height. You can get close enough to feel the mist on your face. If you’re bold, you can stand under the falls. The threat of falling rocks is real enough to give most people pause, and rightfully so. Standing back and taking it in is the smarter move.
It is a genuinely beautiful place. Which makes the next part harder to write.
The Closure: What You Need to Know
Hamama Falls is officially closed.
The trail runs through land managed by the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, a protected watershed that supplies drinking water to more than a million people on Oahu. There are no trespassing signs along the trail. There are cameras. The BWS and Honolulu Police Department actively enforce the closure.
People still go. The Yelp reviews are recent. The AllTrails page has activity. But the legal consequences are real: anyone caught trespassing is subject to citation, a required court appearance, fines up to $2,000, community service, and up to six months in prison. There are no permits available from the BWS or the State of Hawaii that grant legal access. None.
I am not here to tell you what to do. But I want you to know what you are getting into before you decide.
Where to Go Instead
If what you’re after is a waterfall hike on Oahu that won’t cost you a court date, here are three genuinely good options.
Manoa Falls is the most accessible waterfall hike on the island. A 150-foot falls at the end of an easy 1.6-mile trail through lush rainforest, close to Waikiki, fully legal, and worth every step.
Maunawili Falls is a windward favorite with a swimming hole at the end. More adventurous than Manoa, muddier, and deeply satisfying. Check current trail status before you go as it has had intermittent closures for maintenance.
Lulumahu Falls is the closest in spirit to Hamama: a jungle valley hike through bamboo forest to a tall, dramatic falls. It requires a $2.50 state permit, which is easy to book online at trails.ehawaii.gov. Genuinely worth it.
Planning a family adventure on Oahu and want someone to document it while it’s happening? Here’s how a Little Bird morning adventure works.
“I’m going to find a nice place to sit with my feet in the water, so I can eat my snack.”
Hamama Falls FAQs
Q: Is Hamama Falls open? A: No. As of 2026 the trail is officially closed by the Honolulu Board of Water Supply with no legal access available. There are no permits from the BWS or State of Hawaii that grant entry.
Q: What happens if you get caught hiking to Hamama Falls? A: Anyone caught trespassing is subject to citation by Honolulu Police, a required court appearance, fines up to $2,000, community service, and up to six months in prison.
Q: Why is Hamama Falls closed? A: The trail runs through protected watershed land managed by the Board of Water Supply. The area supplies drinking water to over a million Oahu residents. The BWS closed access to protect the watershed from invasive species, erosion, and contamination from human activity.
Q: Are there legal waterfall hikes near Hamama Falls on Oahu? A: Yes. Manoa Falls is the most accessible, Maunawili Falls offers more adventure with a swimming hole, and Lulumahu Falls is the closest in character to Hamama with a state permit required for legal access.
Q: Is Hamama Falls worth visiting if it ever reopens? A: Yes. The valley is beautiful, the falls are tall and dramatic, and the wide trail makes it genuinely family-friendly. If access ever becomes legal, it would be one of the best waterfall hikes on the island.
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