Pu'uka'oku Falls, Tiered waterfall on Molokai Island, United States.
Pu'uka'oku Falls is a tiered waterfall on the northern coast of Molokai, one of the islands of the state of Hawaii. It drops down a sheer cliff face into a deep, narrow valley covered in dense tropical forest.
The waterfall was long unknown outside the island and was only documented by geological surveys during the 20th century, when its exceptional height was first recorded. Those surveys led to its inclusion in international lists of the tallest waterfalls in the world.
The Hawaiian name "Pu'uka'oku" translates roughly as 'hill of the pearl', reflecting how water sources are seen as precious parts of the land in Hawaiian tradition. Waterfalls like this one are traditionally regarded as sacred places, kept alive in the oral memory of island communities.
The waterfall is best seen from the water by boat or kayak, as the cliffs and dense undergrowth make access on foot almost impossible. Anyone visiting by water should pay close attention to local weather and sea conditions before setting out.
Despite its exceptional drop of around 840 meters (about 2,760 feet), the waterfall is virtually invisible from land, hidden behind cliffs and forest. This makes it one of the most difficult to reach waterfalls of its scale anywhere in the world.
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