Updated July 2026
Hoʻopiʻi Falls
Hoʻopiʻi Falls is a pair of modest cascades (the main drop around 20 feet) along a forested trail near Kapaʻa on Kauai, with the round-trip hike roughly 1.8 miles and about 160 feet of elevation gain. The swimming holes and easy jungle walk make it a local favorite.
Before you go
Waterfalls are hazardous by nature — wet rock, cold water, and unstable edges — and flow varies enormously with season and recent rain. Trail figures here describe the route as documented, not conditions today. Check Kauai County / private easement for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hoʻopiʻi Falls drops about 20 feet. That makes it the 608th-tallest documented waterfall in this inventory, taller than roughly 12% of the falls listed here. Height comes from published land-manager and survey records, not from our own measurement.
The Hoʻopiʻi Falls Trail reaches it about 1.8 miles (out-and-back) with roughly 160 feet of elevation gain, rated easy. The nearest town is Kapaʻa. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with Kauai County / private easement for closures and current conditions.
year-round. Waterfall flow swings enormously with snowmelt and recent rain, so a fall that roars in spring can be a trickle by late summer.
More Hawaii waterfalls
- ʻAkaka Falls · 442 ft
- Alelele Falls · 65 ft
- Hanakāpīʻai Falls · 300 ft
- Hanakoa Falls
- Hanawi Falls · 200 ft
- Hiʻilawe Falls · 1,450 ft
- Kahiwa Falls · 2,165 ft
- Kahuna Falls · 100 ft
Sources
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