Rainbow Falls

In Hawaiian tradition, the cave behind and beneath Rainbow Falls is the dwelling of Hina, a great goddess associated with the moon and with the making of kapa, the bark cloth of old Hawaii. Hina is remembered in many island stories, and along the Wailuku she is often named as the mother of Maui, the clever demigod who, among his feats, is said to have slowed the sun and fished up islands from the sea.

The river and its falls appear in these legends. One tradition tells of Kuna, a moo, or great water reptile, that menaced Hina in her cave, and of Maui coming to his mother's defense and defeating the creature along the Wailuku. Names and features up and down the river carry echoes of these stories, and to Native Hawaiians the falls are a place of continuing cultural and spiritual meaning, not merely a photograph.

Rainbow Falls pours over a lip of hard volcanic rock, and the cave beneath it is a lava feature, part of the layered flows that built the Big Island. The Wailuku River, the longest in Hawaii, gathers rain off the vast slopes of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa and carries it down through Hilo to the sea, and where it meets a resistant ledge it plunges into the pool below.

The rainbow itself is simple physics meeting a lucky geography. The falls face in a direction that lets the morning sun shine into the perpetually rising mist, and when sun and spray align, the light refracts into the arc that names the place. Cloud and rain can hide it, but on a clear early morning it is close to dependable.

Above the falls stands an enormous banyan tree, its aerial roots dropping and merging into a small forest of trunks, and a short path leads up beside it to views over the top of the gorge. The whole setting is classic windward Hawaii, dense and green, fed by Hilo's abundant rain, with the river rushing below.

Because the falls sit within Wailuku River State Park, they are protected and maintained with an overlook, railings, and parking. The river can be deceptively dangerous, however, prone to rising quickly during upstream rain, so the barriers exist for good reason and swimming above or below the falls is not safe.

Because this is Hilo, rain is a constant companion, and it is what keeps the falls flowing strong and the gorge lush. After heavy rain the falls thunder and turn brown with sediment, powerful but rainbow-free; in drier spells the flow eases and the water clears.

For the rainbow, timing beats season. A sunny morning, roughly within a few hours of sunrise, gives the best odds, when the low sun can reach into the mist. Come too late in the day or under Hilo's frequent clouds and the arc simply will not appear, which is part of why locals treasure the mornings when it does.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Rainbow Falls, in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii, is a beautiful and easily accessible waterfall where the Wailuku River tumbles over a lava cliff into a large pool, famous for the rainbows that often appear in its mist. The lovely waterfall drops gracefully into a pool surrounded by lush tropical greenery, and on sunny mornings, the sunlight through the mist frequently creates rainbows, giving the falls its name and magical charm. Steeped in Hawaiian legend, it is a delightful and popular stop near Hilo. Its beauty, accessibility, and rainbows make it a beloved destination. A beautiful and easily reached waterfall, it delights visitors. With its cascade and rainbows, Rainbow Falls offers a compelling destination in Hawaii.

Rainbows at Rainbow Falls appear most often on sunny mornings, when the sunlight shines through the mist rising from the waterfall, creating the rainbows that give the falls its name, so a clear, sunny morning offers the best chance to see them. Because the rainbows depend on sun and mist, timing a visit for a sunny morning is ideal, though the waterfall is lovely at any time. For the best chance to see rainbows, aim for a sunny morning at Rainbow Falls in Hawaii.

You can view the beautiful waterfall and its pool from the accessible overlook, watch for the rainbows in the mist on sunny mornings, enjoy the lush tropical scenery, and learn about the Hawaiian legends associated with the falls. The lovely waterfall, the rainbows, the tropical setting, and the legends are the draws, making it a delightful and easy stop near Hilo. The falls and their rainbows are highlights. With its beauty, Rainbow Falls offers a rewarding experience in Hawaii.

Rainbow Falls is easily reached with an accessible overlook, making it a simple stop, though staying on the designated viewing areas and paths, keeping back from the river, cliff edges, and any barriers, and not attempting to climb or enter dangerous areas near the falls are important for safety, as the river and rocks can be hazardous. Enjoying the falls from the overlook is the safe and rewarding way. Staying on the viewing areas ensures a safe visit to Rainbow Falls in Hawaii.

Rainbow Falls is in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii, within reach of downtown Hilo, the Liliuokalani Gardens, the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo, Mauna Kea, and the other attractions of the Hilo area. That makes Rainbow Falls a compelling stop to combine with the Liliuokalani Gardens and the other attractions of Hilo on a visit to Hawaii.