ʻAkaka Falls State Park is on Hawaiʻi Island, in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The park is about 11 miles (18 km) north from Hilo, west of Honomū off the Hawaii Belt Road (route 19) at the end of Hawaii Route 220. It includes ʻAkaka Falls, a 442 feet (135 m) tall waterfall. ʻAkaka in the Hawaiian language means "A rent, split, chink, separation; to crack, split, scale".
The accessible portion of the park lies high on the right shoulder of the deep gorge into which the waterfall plunges, and the falls can be viewed from several points along a loop trail through the park. Also visible from this trail is Kahūnā Falls, a 300 feet (91 m) tall waterfall, and several smaller cascades.
Brochure about Hiking Safely in Hawaiʻi. Published by Hawaii State Parks.
ʻAkaka Falls SP
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/hawaii/akaka-falls-state-park/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akaka_Falls_State_Park
ʻAkaka Falls State Park is on Hawaiʻi Island, in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The park is about 11 miles (18 km) north from Hilo, west of Honomū off the Hawaii Belt Road (route 19) at the end of Hawaii Route 220. It includes ʻAkaka Falls, a 442 feet (135 m) tall waterfall. ʻAkaka in the Hawaiian language means "A rent, split, chink, separation; to crack, split, scale".
The accessible portion of the park lies high on the right shoulder of the deep gorge into which the waterfall plunges, and the falls can be viewed from several points along a loop trail through the park. Also visible from this trail is Kahūnā Falls, a 300 feet (91 m) tall waterfall, and several smaller cascades.
Hawai‘i
State Parks
A Visitor's Guide to Park
Resources and Recreational
Opportunities
STATE OF HAWAI‘I
Department of Land and
Natural Resources
Division of State Parks
Cover photograph of the Makua-Keawaula Section of Ka‘ena Point State Park,
O‘ahu with remnants of the former railroad bed around Ka‘ena Point.
Railroad at
Ka‘ena Point, ca.1935
Hawaiian
Historical Society
Aloha and Welcome
to Hawai‘i State Parks!
Hawai‘i is the most remote land mass on earth. Its
reputation for unsurpassed natural beauty is reflected in
our parks that span mauka to makai (mountains to the sea).
Hawai‘i’s state park system is comprised of 50 state parks,
scenic waysides, and historic sites encompassing nearly
30,000 acres on the 5 major islands. The park environments
range from landscaped grounds with developed facilities to
wildland areas with rugged trails and primitive facilities.
Outdoor recreation consists of a diversity of coastal and
wildland recreational experiences, including picnicking,
camping, lodging, ocean recreation, sightseeing, hiking, and
pleasure walking. The park program protects, preserves,
and interprets excellent examples of Hawai‘i’s natural and
cultural history. The exceptional scenic areas are managed for
their aesthetic values and developed for their superb views.
We invite you to experience Hawai‘i, learn about its
unique resources and history, and participate in outdoor
recreation by visiting our parks. As you visit, please help us
protect Hawai‘i’s fragile and irreplaceable resources for future
generations by heeding the rules and posted safety signs.
For more information, visit our websites at:
http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/
http://dlnr.hawaii.gov
Use Caution - Be Safe
Dangers and hazards exist in our parks and natural areas.
Trails may be narrow and muddy with steep drop-offs.
Flash floods can occur in streams with little warning. Ocean
waves can knock you off your feet and sweep you out to
sea. To have a safe park visit, stay on designated trails, heed
safety signs, and do not cross streams when water levels
rise. Always check weather conditions before going and use
official sources of information to plan your visit.
Funding for the printing of
this brochure provided by the
Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.
-2-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
General Information
4
Permits
5
Camping & Lodging Permits
5
Permits for Nāpali Coast State Park
6
Group Use Permits
9
Special Use Permits
9
Forest Reserve Trails
9
Hunting and Fishing
9
General Park Rules
10
Safety Tips
10
Water Safety
11
Outdoor Safety
12
Interpretive Program
13
Park Guide 16
Park Descriptions
Island of Hawai‘i
14
Island of Kaua‘i
21
Island of Maui
24
Island of Moloka‘i
25
Island of O‘ahu
26
STATE PARKS KEY
SP
SHP
SHS
SM
SPR
SRA
SRP
SSS
SW
SWP
State Park
State Historical Park
State Historic Site
State Monument
State Park Reserve
State Recreation Area
State Recreation Pier
State Scenic Shoreline
State Wayside
State Wilderness Park
FACILITIES
ACTIVITIES
Cabins/Lodging
Beach Activities
Campgrounds
Snorkeling & Diving
Picnic Areas
Fishing
Boat Ramps
Hiking (Trail over 1
Scenic Lookouts
Walking (Paved path
less than 1 mile long)
Food Concession
Boat Tours
mile in length)
(Concessionaire)
-3-
Revised 5/17
GENERAL INFORMATION
State parks are open year-round. Fees are charged for
various accommodations, guided tours of ‘Iolani Palace, and
riverboat cruises on the Wailua River. Entry and parking fees
are charged at some parks. Refer to the attached fee schedule,
check the website, or call the telephone numbers provided
for more information about fees, hours, and special uses.
For permits and information, contact the district offices
and park concessionaires (*) listed below.
FEES, PERMIT REQUIREMENTS, AND
OFFICE HOURS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
WITHOUT NOTICE.
HAWAI‘I DISTRICT
O‘AHU DISTRICT
KAUA‘I DISTRICT
MAUI DISTRICT
*THE LODGE AT KŌKE‘E
*MĀLAEKAHANA
(KAHUKU SECTION)
1151 Punchbowl Street,#310
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 587-0300
Hours: Monday to Friday
8:00am to 3:30pm
75 Aupuni Street, #204
Hilo, HI 96720-4245
(808) 961-9540
Hours: Monday to Friday
8:00am to 3:30pm
54 S. High Street, #101
Wailuku, HI 96793
(808) 984-8109
Hours: Monday to Friday
8:00am to 3:30pm
3060 Eiwa Street, #306
Līhu‘e, HI 96766-1875
(808) 274-3444
Hours: Monday to Friday
8:00am to 3:30pm
P.O. Box 367
Waimea, HI 96796-0367
(808) 335-6061
www.thelodgeatkokee.net
Contact: info@thelodgeatkokee.net
Hours: 9:00am to 4:00pm
NOTE: Offices are closed on
weekends and State holidays.
Please check website for current
operator contact information.
*HE‘EIA STATE PARK
Kama‘aina Kids
(808) 235-6509 (fax: 235-6519)
information@heeiastatepark.org
www.heeiastatepark.org
REFUNDS & CHANGES
NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN IF REQUESTED LESS
THAN 15 DAYS IN ADVANCE OF CHECK-IN DATE.
Refunds for credit card purchases will be credited
electronically to your account, minus non-refundable
administrative fee and
5/8/01
4:24 PM
Page 1
During the Hike
In An Emergency
What is Na Ala Hele?
Stay on the Trail
Call 911: Ask for Fire/Rescue. Tell them which trail
Most accidents happen when hikers leave the established
trail and disregard warning signs. Staying on the trail
greatly reduces your chances of having a serious fall or
getting lost. Hawaiian forests are not like mainland
forests—the growth is very dense, and it is easy to
become disoriented. Thick overgrowth can mask dangerously steep drop-offs. Thin, sharp lava rock can crack
beneath your weight above deep holes or lava tubes.
you’re on and what happened.
Na Ala Hele (NAH) is the State of Hawai‘i Trail and Access
Program. NAH was initially created in response to public
concern about the increasing loss of access to trails and the
threat to historic trails from development pressures.
Currently, NAH is also increasingly engaged in multiple
trail use and management issues such as regulating commercial use, conducting trail improvement for resource
management, improving user safety, disseminating trailrelated information, and determining the current ownership of historic government trails in efforts to protect these
routes for potential use by future generations.
Be Visible: Wear or wave a brightly colored item in an
open area during the day. At night, use a flashlight or camera flash.
Be Noisy: Use a whistle to attract attention.
Stay Calm: Objectively assess your situation before mak-
Stay Together
ing any decision. Stay calm and positive.
Hikers separated from their partners are more apt to
make a wrong turn or lose the established trail. Keep
track of each other, and regroup periodically, especially
near junctions or when the trail gets obscure. Monitor
everyone’s condition. Dehydration, sunstroke, hypothermia, and fatigue can hit even experienced hikers.
chances of getting into further trouble, especially after dark,
by staying in one place. This is why it is important to notify
someone of your hike location and destination.
Avoid Undue Risks
Stay Warm: Wind and
Climbing waterfalls and following narrow ridgelines or
gulches off the trail can place you in danger. Rock climbing is extremely dangerous due to the crumbly and
porous nature of the volcanic rock. There have been fatal
accidents from crumbling rock...don’t take the chance.
rain can drain your body of
warmth, and be life-threatening. Get out of the wind
and use your rain gear or
extra clothes to stay warm.
Stay Put: You will be found more quickly and reduce the
When might you
need emergency
assistance?
•
When an injury or illness
prevents walking.
•
When extremely bad
weather hits.
•
When it’s too dark to see.
•
When you’re extremely
fatigued or dehydrated.
•
When you’re disoriented or
lost.
Monitor the Weather
Keep an eye on the sky. When hiking into valleys or
crossing streams, be mindful of rain conditions along the
mountain top or ridges that can suddenly raise the water
level in the stream. Use extreme caution if attempting to
cross a swollen stream...rushing water is very powerful.
It is better to find an alternative route, or wait until the
water subsides.
Watch the Time
Hawai‘i does not have daylight savings time, and night
falls quickly in the tropics. Getting a late start increases
the possibility of getting caught in the dark. Know your
turnaround time and stick to it to allow enough time to
return. If you’re caught by darkness, stay put unless you
are very familiar with the trail and have a flashlight.
Hiking Safely
This brochure is subject to Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the
Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of
the Education Amendments of 1972, and
offers all persons the opportunity to participate in programs or activities regardless of
race, color , national origin, age, sex, or disability. Further, it is agreed that no individual
will be turned away from or otherwise denied
access to or benefit from any program or
activity that is directly associated with a program of the recipient on the basis of race,
color, national origin, age, sex (in educational activities), or disability.
•
When you’re stranded,
scared, and unable to move.
Na Ala Hele deeply appreciates any public interest and
desire to assist in the stewardship of trails in Hawai‘i. Trails
require continuous attention to insure the quality of the
trail experience, the safety of the trail users, and for the
proper management of the natural and cultural resources.
Na Ala Hele relies frequently on community volunteers for
providing the essential person-power to conduct trail
restoration or construction projects. For more information,
contact the Na Ala Hele staff on your island:
O‘ahu:
Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i:
Kaua‘i:
Big Island:
I N
H A W A I ‘ I
(808) 973-9782
(808) 873-3508
(808) 274-3433
(808) 974-4217
A portion of the content of this brochure was originally created throu