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
Hiking the Luaʻalaea Falls Trail
The Luaʻalaea Falls Trail follows the Mānoa Falls Trail for the first 0.25 miles before branching off.
Luaʻalaea Junction
At the small bridge in the photos below, turn right of the Mānoa Falls Trail to begin the Luaʻalaea Trail.
Waihī Stream
The Luaʻalaea Falls Trail will cross the Waihī Stream almost immediately after leaving the Mānoa Falls Trail.
Eventually, the trail will follow a flat muddy path resembling what could have been an old road.
When the flat muddy stretch comes to an end, the trail will turn left up the hill.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lower Luaʻalaea Falls
Just prior to Luaʻalaea Falls is the Lower Falls, which can be hiked around on the left side.
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.
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
