Honolulu County

Waterfalls in Honolulu County

Waterfalls, Ponds, and Lagoons

This collection highlights the diverse aquatic landscapes of Oahu, ranging from the 150-foot drop of Manoa Falls to the ancient engineering of the Mōliʻi Fishpond. Explore inland cascades like the "upside-down" Waipuhia Falls and Waikahalulu Falls within Foster Botanical Garden. The list also includes vital ecological sites such as the Paiko Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary and the wetlands of the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, which provide sanctuary for endangered Hawaiian waterbirds like the ae‘o and ‘alae ke‘oke‘o.

Waterfalls, Ponds, and Lagoons — Map

Daniel Ramirez / CC BY 2.0

A

Manoa Falls

Mānoa Falls is a 150-foot waterfall along the Manoa Falls Trail in Honolulu, Hawaii.

dronepicr / CC BY 2.0

B

Waimea Falls

A 45-foot waterfall located within the Waimea Valley botanical gardens. Swimming is often permitted depending on daily safety conditions and requires a life vest.

Daderot. / CC-BY-SA-3.0

C

Waimea Valley

Waimea Valley is an area of historic cultural significance on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii.

D

Waikahalulu Falls

Urban waterfall located inside Foster Botanical Garden, fed by the Nuʻuanu Stream.

E

Waipuhia Falls

Known as "Upside-Down Falls," where strong trade winds often blow the falling water upward. It is best viewed from the Pali Highway during or after heavy rain.

F

Lulumahu Falls

A 50-foot waterfall reached via a trail through bamboo forests; hikers are required to obtain a day-use permit from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

G

Aihualama Falls

A seasonal waterfall located near the Lyon Arboretum, accessible via a trail branching off from the main Manoa Falls path.

H

Maunawili Falls

A waterfall and swimming hole in Maunawili Valley. Access is frequently subject to trail maintenance closures.

I

Waterfall

Waterfall

Travis.Thurston / CC BY-SA 3.0

J

Duke Kahanamoku Beach

Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Lagoon is a small, man-made wading pool in the Waikiki neighborhood of Honolulu, on the south shore of the island of…

Travis.Thurston / CC BY-SA 3.0

K

Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Lagoon

Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Lagoon is a small, man-made wading pool in the Waikiki neighborhood of Honolulu, on the south shore of the island of…

Elizabeth / CC-BY-SA

L

Paiko Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary

A protected wildlife sanctuary and saline lagoon providing habitat for the endangered Hawaiian stilt and migratory shorebirds.

M

Baskerville Spring

Freshwater spring located in the upper Nuʻuanu Valley.

N

Kānewai Spring

A traditional Hawaiian spring and cultural site in the Kuliʻouʻou-Kalani Iki area.

O

Kānewai Fishpond

A historic coastal fishpond used for community education and traditional Hawaiian aquaculture.

P

Fishpond

Pond

Q

Kahalu'u Pond

A historic fishpond on the windward coast of Oahu, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Joel Bradshaw / Public domain

R

Molii Fishpond

Moliʻi Fishpond is located southeast of Kamehameha Highway between Kualoa and Johnson Roads, near Kaneohe, on the island of Oahu, in the…

S

Waokele Pond

Freshwater pond and wetland area within the Kawainui Marsh complex.

T

Kalou Marsh

Wetland area on the North Shore that serves as a habitat for native Hawaiian waterbirds.

U

Punaho‘olapa

A marshy wetland located within the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge.

V

Punamanō

Spring-fed wetland area on the North Shore, part of the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge.

W

Ki‘i

A pond and wetland unit within the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, essential for migratory bird conservation.

X

Kalou Marsh

Wetland area on the North Shore that serves as a habitat for native Hawaiian waterbirds.

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