Lulumahu Falls is a 1.7-mile waterfall hike through bamboo forest and dense jungle near Nuuanu on Oahu’s windward side. It’s moderately challenging, genuinely rewarding, and doable for families with young kids. You need a $2.50 state permit to hike legally. The parking area has a high rate of break-ins, so leave valuables at home. Go late afternoon when crowds thin out, but leave enough time to get back before dark.
Into the Unknown
Have you ever seen a jumble of cars parked at a seemingly random spot along the road? There are a few places like this around the island – cars jammed haphazardly into tiny dirt lots or a long line of cars balanced on the edges of a narrow road. It’s my personal goal to explore these areas. What kind of secrets lie beyond? Yes, I could look it up online but where’s the fun in that? This time, we explored the crowded dirt lot at the junction of the Pali Hwy and Nuuanu Pali Drive. We discovered Lulumahu Falls and we weren’t disappointed.
A Popular Waterfall Hike
The slippery mud and boulders make it a slightly challenging hike, but there were crowds of families with babies and young children making the trek. Micah (age 5) managed it in slippers. He’s not a hiking savant, so it’s very doable. It took us about two hours in total, but we spent time investigating plants and fungi and lunched at the falls.
Before You Go: The Permit
You officially need a permit for this hike, and honestly it’s not a big deal. It costs $2.50 to process and you can book it online at trails.ehawaii.gov. The state issues 100 permits per day and you can usually grab one close to your visit date, so no need to plan months ahead. This is state watershed land and an active hunting area. I have run into hunting dogs on occasion.
Hike Parking
High theft area off Pali Highway. Seriously. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen police taking a report for some sad hiker as I’ve driven past. Do not leave valuables in your car (or anything that looks valuable). Leave them at your hotel or bring them with you. You’ll find a dirt and gravel lot that fills up fast, especially on weekends.
Lulumahu Trail Basics
It’s a 1.7 mile out and back that’s moderately challenging with muddy stream crossings and boulders. Sturdy shoes with traction are ideal – (slippers or barefoot will get you there too if that’s your style). Bring mosquito repellent if you’re the kind of person mosquitoes love. No restrooms anywhere. Follow pink ribbons when the trail is unclear and stick close to the stream.
On the Trail
Just past the trailhead you have two options: straight through the dense bamboo forest (claustrophobic in the best possible way, and a little creaky and mysterious on wet days), or bypass it to the left. Either route gets you to the same place. From there you follow a ridge past the Nuuanu Reservoir and down into the valley. Past the Menehune, cement stairs lead to a fenced pond. Beyond that the trail parallels the stream through dense forest and over boulders to the falls. The trail isn’t clearly marked so follow the pink ribbons tied to trees, stick close to the stream when in doubt, and follow the crowds. On a popular day you’ll have plenty of company to keep you on track.
What makes it worth it
This hike is just the right size for a family adventure, with enough variety along the way to keep any whining to a minimum.
Your first challenge is the bamboo maze. Listen for the creaks and groans as tall stalks sway overhead, the forest floor dimmed and a little eerie. Then you’re spat out into an open clearing with the reservoir to your left, fenced off now, and the trail continuing ahead into a thicket of greenery and boulders. You’ll tightrope across some man-made dam structures, follow the stream through dense forest, and take breaks when you run into a giant banyan to swing on its roots. The boulders evolve from small to enormous as you get closer to the falls. You’ll hear it before you see it: the echoes of people whooping, chatting, the general sounds of a good time. On a sunny day, hikers sprawl across the rocks in front of the falls, snacking and taking in the view. The daredevils scale the sides looking for places to jump. You can enjoy it all from below.
One note on timing. The parking lot has multiplied in cars over the past decade, which makes sense: it’s close to Waikiki, genuinely jungly, and Oahu doesn’t have many accessible waterfalls. My favorite time to visit is when everyone else has left. Go late. Just not as late as I did once, when our group all but sprinted to the falls in the fading light, barely lingered, then sprinted back. I blew out a slipper and scrambled out barefoot in near darkness. Maybe don’t cut it that quite close.
A morning at Lulumahu is the kind of thing your family will talk about for years. The muddy boots, stream crossings, that first glimpse of the falls through the trees. If you want someone to document it while it’s happening, here’s how a Little Bird morning adventure works.
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Lulumahu Falls FAQs
Q: Do you need a permit for Lulumahu Falls? A: Yes. A state permit is required to hike legally. Permits cost $2.50 processing fee and are limited to 100 per day. Book at trails.ehawaii.gov. You can usually reserve shortly before your visit.
Q: How hard is the Lulumahu Falls hike? A: Moderately challenging. The trail is 1.7 miles out and back with stream crossings, boulders, and muddy sections. A 5-year-old can manage it in good conditions, but sturdy shoes with traction are essential. No flip flops.
Q: Is parking safe at Lulumahu Falls? A: The parking area off Pali Highway has a high rate of car break-ins. Leave valuables at your hotel or bring them with you. Do not leave anything visible in your car.
Q: Is there a swimming hole at Lulumahu Falls? A: There is a small pool at the base of the falls. The pool at the falls is small but good for cooling off. Avoid freshwater swimming after heavy rain due to leptospirosis risk.
Q: Can you hike Lulumahu Falls with kids? A: Yes, with the right preparation. The trail is doable for young kids but expect to get muddy and wet. Bring water, bug spray, snacks, and a change of clothes. Avoid hiking after heavy rain when the trail becomes slippery and stream levels rise.
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