ʻAkaka Falls, Waterfall on the Big Island, Hawaii, US
ʻAkaka Falls is a waterfall on the Big Island of Hawaii, dropping nearly 440 feet (134 m) in a single unbroken plunge into a narrow gorge. The surrounding forest is dense with bamboo, ferns, and orchids, and a second waterfall called Kahuna Falls is also visible from the trail nearby.
The land around the falls has been part of Hawaiian life for many generations, and local stories link the site to a chief who is said to have leapt from the cliff. A stone near the falls, known as Pōhaku-a-Pele, was traditionally associated with calling rain.
The loop trail to the falls is paved but has steps and uneven sections, so sturdy shoes are a good idea since the surface can be slippery after rain. Morning visits tend to be less crowded and the light hits the waterfall from a good angle.
The name ʻAkaka translates roughly to 'smoking water' in Hawaiian, referring to the mist and low clouds that often hang around the top of the falls. On sunny mornings, a rainbow sometimes forms in the spray near the base.
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