Onomea Falls

Hamakua Coast, Hawaii, USA

About Onomea Falls


Hiking Distance: 1/4 mile round trip (to falls only)
Suggested Time: 15-30 minutes (to falls only)

Date first visited: 2007-03-09
Date last visited: 2007-03-09

Waterfall Latitude: 19.81043
Waterfall Longitude: -155.09523

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Onomea Falls is a cascading waterfall with multiple small tiers making for a nice little photo op.

As of our last visit in 2007, it was nestled in the Hawai’i Tropical Botanical Garden on the 4-mile scenic drive through Onomea Bay. Although we found this waterfall to be both attractive and a reason for us to come, I thought the main draw of the garden was its impressive collection of tropical flora from around on the world as well as some exotic birds. Indeed, it looked like this garden was almost a world onto itself given its size and the various flora on display throughout.

I later read that Hawai’i Tropical Botanical Garden opened in 1984. But prior to that, it was a dense jungle when Dan Lutkenhouse purchased the land about 7 years earlier. During work to turn the jungle into a garden while providing bridges and footpaths, Lutkenhouse and company discovered the falls.

I recalled the walk to the waterfall was a few minutes going downhill then towards the left once we were deep into the garden. I’d imagine with the price of paid admission, that waterfall wouldn’t be the only thing you’d be seeing on a visit here so detailing walking directions for it won’t be necessary.

Deeper into the park on Alakahi Stream was a 10ft waterfall called Boulder Creek Falls. And true to its name, the diminutive falls tumbled into a boulder-filled stream.

Onomea_003_jx_03092007
Onomea_010_03092007
Onomea_012_03092007
Onomea_014_03092007
Onomea_020_03092007


From the Hwy 19 and Hwy 11 junction by the Hilo Airport in Hilo, take Hwy 19 (Mamahaloa Hwy) north. Just north of the 7-mile post, take the “Scenic Drive” turnoff on the right. Follow the narrow 4-mile Scenic Drive (Old Mamahaloa Way) for 1.5 miles to the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden car park.

Shortly before the car park is an opening with good views of Onomea Bay and the collapsed Onomea Arch. The car park, registration, and gift shop are on the mauka side of the Scenic Drive. The garden entrance is on the makai side of the road.

To give you some geographical context, Hilo was 79 miles (under 2 hours drive) east of Kailua-Kona via the Saddle Road. Otherwise, taking the more conventional route along Hwy 19 through Waikoloa, Waikoloa Village, and Waimea, this drive would be 96 miles long taking over 2 hours.

Find A Place To Stay

Related Top 10 Lists

No Posts Found

Tagged with: onomea, hawaii tropical, botanical gardens, big island, hawaii, hilo, waterfall, boulder creek falls, rainforest, scenic drive, alakahi, hamakua



Visitor Comments:

Got something you'd like to share or say to keep the conversation going? Feel free to leave a comment below...

No users have replied to the content on this page


Share your thoughts about what you've read on this page

You must be logged in to submit content. Refresh this page after you have logged in.

Visitor Reviews of this Waterfall:

If you have a waterfall story or write-up that you'd like to share, feel free to click the button below and fill out the form...

No users have submitted a write-up/review of this waterfall


Have you been to a waterfall? Submit a write-up/review and share your experiences or impressions

Review A Waterfall

Nearest Waterfalls

The Waterfaller Newsletter

The Waterfaller Newsletter is where we curate the wealth of information on the World of Waterfalls website and deliver it to you in bite-sized chunks in your email inbox. You'll also get exclusive content like...

  • Waterfall Wednesdays
  • Insider Tips
  • User-submitted Waterfall Write-up of the Month
  • and the latest news and updates both within the website as well as around the wonderful world of waterfalls


How To Build A Profitable Travel Blog In 4 Steps