Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue)
Hilo, Hilo
An 80-Foot Hilo Waterfall Steps From the Car — Best on a Clear Morning
Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue) is an 80-foot waterfall that drops over a lava cave in the Wailuku River on Hilo's northwest edge. The parking lot is directly off Rainbow Drive and the first overlook is under 100 feet from your car, so it's one of the easiest waterfall views on the island.
Rainbows form best on clear mornings with the sun low and behind you, and are usually gone from the lower lookout by mid-morning. The falls sit inside Wailuku River State Park, which DLNR lists as open daily 7 AM–5:30 PM with gates locking at 6 PM. Since January 2026, DLNR's park page says non-residents pay $5 entry plus $10 per vehicle; Hawaiʻi residents with ID are free.
Don't swim at the Boiling Pots, upstream in the same park — swimming there is described as dangerous and has killed people — and leave any streambed if rain falls upstream.
Why Roamwise recommends this
A quick, pretty stop in Hilo — time it for the morning rainbow.
Best for: a short scenic stop, photography, rainy-day Hilo sightseeing.
Insider tip: aim for a clear morning, and treat the overlook as a viewpoint rather than a swimming spot.
- Hazards / conditions:
- Swimming at the Boiling Pots upstream in the same park is dangerous and has been fatal. Streams in the area can rise quickly after upstream rain.
- Safety notes:
- Per DLNR (park page updated Jan 2026): non-residents $5 entry + $10 per vehicle; open daily 7 AM–5:30 PM, gates lock at 6 PM.
- Best arrival time:
- Clear mornings, early
- Cost:
- Non-residents: $5 per person plus $10 per vehicle; one fee also covers Boiling Pots. Hawaiʻi residents are free. (checked October 2026)
Reviews: Google MapsYelp
Local tips
- •Go on a clear morning for the best chance at a rainbow.
- •Don't swim at the Boiling Pots upstream — it has killed people.
- •Non-residents pay $5 entry plus $10 per vehicle (DLNR, since January 2026)
- •the park is open daily 7 AM–5:30 PM.
- •Leave any streambed if rain falls upstream.
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