Updated July 2026
Oloʻupena Falls
At 2,953 feet, Oloʻupena Falls on the remote north coast of Molokai is the tallest waterfall in the United States and among the tallest on Earth; with no trail access, it can only be seen from the ocean or air.
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 the managing agency for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Oloʻupena Falls drops about 2,953 feet. That makes it the 1st-tallest documented waterfall in this inventory, taller than roughly 100% of the falls listed here. Height comes from published land-manager and survey records, not from our own measurement.
Access is documented as backcountry. No trail distance is on record for Oloʻupena Falls. The nearest town is Pelekunu. Confirm access and land status with the managing agency before setting out — some documented falls have no public route at all.
No best-season window is documented for Oloʻupena Falls. As a general rule, waterfall flow peaks with spring snowmelt and after sustained rain, and drops sharply in 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
- Hoʻopiʻi Falls · 20 ft
- Kahiwa Falls · 2,165 ft
Sources
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