Hiʻilawe Falls, Natural cascade in Waipio Valley, Hawaii.

Hiʻilawe Falls drops about 1,450 feet (440 m) into Waipiʻo Valley on Lalakea Stream, with a main drop of 1,201 feet (366 m). In the photograph the white column falls down a dark, moss-covered cliff, splitting into strands near the middle, with a thinner ribbon of water to its left. The base is hidden by green foliage.

Hiʻilawe Falls drops into Waipiʻo Valley on Lalakea Stream, which above the falls has been diverted for irrigation. That diversion means the cascade can run dry even in the wet spring month of March, so its flow has long depended on how the stream is managed upstream.

The name Hiʻilawe comes from the Hawaiian words hiʻi, to hold in the arms, and lawe, to carry, and the falls appear in Hawaiian moʻolelo, or stories, tied to Waipiʻo Valley. Lalakea Stream, which feeds the cascade, was diverted above the falls for irrigation, so the flow seen today depends on that diversion.

Reaching this waterfall requires a vehicle with good clearance or a guided tour, as the road into the valley has steep grades and rough sections. Plan accordingly if you decide to explore this area on your own.

What makes this waterfall unusual is how its flow changes dramatically depending on upstream water management systems. On some days the cascade appears powerful and full, while on others it becomes a thin thread of water.