The canopy of the rainforest barely let’s in sun
Akaka Falls State Park on the Big Island of Hawaii was the next stop on my Big Island Adventure. The Hamakua Coast and Hilo were living up to it’s reputation of the rainiest places on earth! It had been pouring rain all day with no end to the moody, gray clouds – so I decided to go out anyway. Moody clouds make moody photography. In addition, I was able to find the one thing on the island that loved all of this rain – the rain forest.
Akaka Falls State Park on the Hamakua Coast is a rain forest with densely packed foliage providing the backdrop for the famous Akaka Falls. A 442 foot waterfall awaits you as you casually walk through the rain forest on a short .4 mile paved trail. As you peak out of the rain forest foliage, you will feast your eyes on the falls. However when I hiked through the forest to the falls, I was greeted by low, white clouds and fog. I set in for a patient stand off with Mother Nature. I waited for about 30 minutes for the low clouds to dissapate enough to take some photos of the falls. There was no need to be in a rush, I wasn’t going to melt and I had plenty to look at and explore in the surrounding rain forest!
How to get there:
Akaka Falls State Park is just a short 20 minute drive north of Hilo, which takes you through the Big Island’s old sugar-cane fields. The road (Route 220) ends at the parking lot for Akaka Falls State Park. Here you will find a paved parking lot and bathrooms.
The mighty waterfall finally showed it’s face
Low clouds hover around the valley
Bamboo lined the paved trail
New Life
A Banyon Tree takes over the forest
A colorful plant provides some excitement to my foggy surroundings
Akaka Waterfall
By Barbara Weibel November 25, 2011 - 8:22 am
My favorite time to photograph waterfalls when it’s cloudy – no bright sun spots flaring off the water. I think you captured it wonderfully.
By Nancy & Shawn Power... Inspiring YOU To Travel! November 25, 2011 - 4:04 pm
Fantastic photos!
We just spent five weeks there ourselves and loved exploring five of the Islands.
Your pics bring back lots of great hiking memories.
Nancy & Shawn
By Suraj Nair November 28, 2011 - 6:23 am
Trekking is fun and when you find such places the experience is unmatched. Awesome collection of pics.
By Kathy Sundprescher December 1, 2011 - 8:37 am
Wonderful shots Shery, makes me want to go back soon, like NOW !
By Mark H January 10, 2012 - 5:21 pm
What a top notch waterfall and beautifully captured in its tropical hideaway.
By Annie@GreenTravelReviews November 13, 2013 - 9:13 am
Such beauty, I’m putting this on my list. Thanks for sharing this!