Akaka Falls State Park

Akaka Falls State Park

Akaka Falls credit Liz Backlund

Just 11 miles north of Hilo you will find a true tropical paradise within paradise, the Akaka Falls Park.

The pièce de résistance of this park is the 442-foot scenic waterfall that is the namesake of the park, Akaka Falls. Akaka means 'split, separation, or crack' in Hawaiian, a name that makes sense once you see the falls. The water plunges into the stream-eroded gorge below in a dramatic, beautiful fashion.

There is also the 100-foot Kahuna Falls within the park, both very easily accessible with the 0.4-mile loop footpath onsite. The 'pleasant 0.4-mile uphill hike will take you through a lush rainforest filled with wild orchids, bamboo groves, and draping ferns', immersing you even further into a tropical wonderland each step you take.

This loop is aptly named the Akaka Falls Loop.