Updated July 2026
Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue)
Rainbow Falls (Hawaiian: Waiānuenue) is an 80-foot waterfall on the Wailuku River in Wailuku River State Park near downtown Hilo on the Big Island. A paved overlook beside the parking lot offers a near-immediate view, and morning sun often produces the rainbows that give the falls its name.
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 Hawaii Division of State Parks - Wailuku River State Park for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.
Where to stay near Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue), Hawaii
Top-rated places to stay near Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue), Hawaii
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue), Hawaii?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue), Hawaii — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue) drops about 80 feet. That makes it the 270th-tallest documented waterfall in this inventory, taller than roughly 62% of the falls listed here. Height comes from published land-manager and survey records, not from our own measurement.
Access is documented as roadside. No trail distance is on record for Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue). The nearest town is Hilo. Confirm access and land status with Hawaii Division of State Parks - Wailuku River State Park before setting out — some documented falls have no public route at all.
Year-round (best flow after rain; morning light produces rainbows). 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
- Hoʻopiʻi Falls · 20 ft
- Kahiwa Falls · 2,165 ft
Sources
Get trip conditions by email
Lake grades, water temperature, and seasonal conditions as the data updates. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.