Rainbow forms near the base of Wailua Waterfall.
149914934
outdoor, hiking, island, america, usa, park, river, panoramic, stream, trekking, honolulu, falls, panorama, polynesia, mountain, fresh, water, nature, rainbow, big, hawaii, american, landscape, rain forest, rainbow colors, water pool top view, water pool, hawaii waterfall, hawaiian, waterfalls, waterfall mountain, waterfall landscape, beautiful landscapes, beautiful, tropical, volcanic waterfall, volcanic rock, paradise island, paradise

©Michael Warwick/Shutterstock

Rainbow Falls

Hilo


A regular stop for tour buses, the lookout for this 'instant gratification' cascade is just steps from the parking lot. Depending on rainfall, the lovely 80ft waterfall can be a torrent or a trickle. Go in the morning and you'll see rainbows if sun and mist cooperate. To get here, drive up Waianuenue Ave, veer right when it splits into Kaumana Dr and follow the signage. (Waianuenue, 'rainbow seen in water,' is the Hawaiian name for these falls.)


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Hilo attractions

1. Lyman Museum & Mission House

1.22 MILES

Although small in scale, this museum is a good primer on Hawaii's natural and cultural history. Downstairs, geologic exhibits include fascinating examples…

2. Naha & Pinao Stones

1.26 MILES

How strong was Kamehameha the Great? According to legend, anyone with enough strength to budge the 3.5-ton Naha Store would also have the strength to…

3. Maui's Canoe

1.35 MILES

See the current swirling around a large rock in the upstream Wailuku River? Legend has it that the demigod Maui paddled his canoe with such speed across…

4. Federal Building

1.4 MILES

Designed by architect Henry Whitfield, this stately building (1919) is typical of Hilo’s early 20th-century government buildings. The former courthouse…

5. Kalakaua Park

1.4 MILES

Centrally located, this mini park should be Hilo's 'town square,' but it is mostly green space bypassed by cars and pedestrians. It does come to life on…

6. East Hawai‘i Cultural Center/HMOCA

1.41 MILES

Curious about Hilo's art scene? Go to this downtown center, which displays well-curated works by both professionals and amateurs. Exhibits change monthly,…

7. Peʻepeʻe Falls & Boiling Pots

1.46 MILES

Two miles past Rainbow Falls is another drive-up lookout, Peʻepeʻe Falls & Boiling Pots. This unique series of falls cascading into swirling, bubbling…

8. Mokupapapa Discovery Center

1.53 MILES

Geared for kids, this center aims to educate the public about pristine Hawaiian ecosystems. Even adults might not know that the Hawaiian archipelago…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "usa/hawaii/hilo/attractions/rainbow-falls/a/poi-sig/454419/1315528",
      "destination": "Hilo",
      "continent": "North-America",
      "country": "USA",
      "region": "Hawaii",
      "city": "Hilo",
      "position": "superzone"
    }