Jackass Ginger Pool

Pali Lookout, Hawaii, USA

About Jackass Ginger Pool


Hiking Distance: 1/2 mile round trip; scramble
Suggested Time: 30 minutes

Date first visited: 2007-03-07
Date last visited: 2007-03-07

Waterfall Latitude: 21.34612
Waterfall Longitude: -157.82448

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

The Jackass Ginger Pool is really more of a swimming hole than a waterfall attraction.

I saw a couple of local boys using rope swings to plunge over these 10ft falls and into the deep pool below. Like Waikahalulu Falls, it marginally counts as a waterfall, but beggars can’t be choosers when it comes to waterfalling on the island of O’ahu.

The Judd Trail (part of which coincides with the waterfall trail) is named after Dr. Gerrit P. Judd, a US missionary, trusted advisor, and financial manager to Hawaiian monarchs, including King Kamehameha III. Na Ala Hele, a State of Hawai’i program founded in 1988 to maintain trails of historical and ecological value, ensures continued public access to the Judd Trail. So that means this pool should be publicly accessible.

From the roadside parking pullout, I took the trail descending past a sign saying “Judd Trail” and crossed Lulumahu Stream. Then, I continued bearing right at the trail junction. Within a few minutes, the trail deteriorated and became faint, turning into a near scramble alongside the stream. I basically followed the “path” downstream eventually reaching the Jackass Ginger Pool (I think).

The falls seemed like a small set of cascades, and to me it wasn’t immediately obvious as a waterfall. The plunge pool itself was strangely juxtaposed between jungle and a clearing with a backyard fence.

By the way, Lulumahu Stream had another more impressive 70ft waterfall called Lulumahu Falls (further upstream of Jackass Ginger). Unfortunately, it was on private land and trespassing was no laughing matter as I had read about a group of hikers who were reported and prosecuted. Needless to say, we didn’t take any chances and thus didn’t visit that waterfall.

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From Waikiki, head west on the H-1 Freeway. Then go north on the Pali Hwy (Hwy 61) for about 2.5 miles to Nu’uanu Pali Drive, where there’s a traffic light. Turn right onto Nu’uanu Pali Drive (a residential street which eventually winds through a shady forest).

In about a mile, at a bridge on a hairpin turn, there’s a rain-fed waterfall behind a fence. This is not Jackass Ginger Pool, but it was interesting nonetheless. Continue to a small pullout (parking available for two cars) just before the next bridge, where a small sign indicates the Judd Trail.

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Tagged with: nuuanu, pali, jackass, ginger, oahu, hawaii, waterfall, swimming, locals, judd trail, ilanawai



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Back in the 70’s… January 8, 2012 5:08 am by Sherry C. - Remembering the days, ditching school and heading to "Jackass Gingers". What a blast from the past!!! ...Read More

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