Right now
Right now as of Oct 28, 2026
- Permit Lulumahu day permit.
Status note (Oct 28, 2026): Open with a DLNR permit. DLNR's permits page says a reservation and permit are required to hike this trail and links a live permit application (checked Oct 28, 2026). We found no 2026 closure notice, including after the Honolulu Fire Department rescue on August 15, 2026. What the status labels mean
Lulumahu Falls is in the Nuʻuanu area of Honolulu, inside the Honolulu Forest Reserve, a restricted watershed. DLNR's Division of Forestry and Wildlife says a reservation and permit are required to hike there. Permits are sold online with a $2.50 processing fee. In 2021, DLNR described the trail as unmaintained and said rocks fall there all the time. Guides put the hike at about 1.5 to 2.5 miles round trip.
About Lulumahu Falls
Lulumahu Falls is a waterfall in Nuʻuanu, on Oahu. We found no official or Wikipedia height. Hawaii Magazine (2015) and Shaka Guide (2026) both describe it as about 50 feet tall.
That figure doesn't sit easily with other reports. In August 2026, Honolulu Fire Department crews reached a hiker stranded about 80 feet up beside the falls. In 2020, the Star-Advertiser reported that a hiker fell about 100 feet.
Access is the first thing to sort out. DLNR lists Lulumahu Falls in the Honolulu Forest Reserve, designated a restricted watershed, and says a reservation and permit are required. In 2021, DLNR forestry administrator David Smith told KHON2 that 'you do need a permit'.
This is not a built park trail. DLNR has described the trail and waterfall area as unregulated and not maintained.
Getting there and parking
You need a DLNR permit, bought online with a $2.50 fee, and guides place parking at a lot off the Pali Highway shared with Kaniakapupu.
Get the DLNR permit
Get your permit before you go. DLNR's permits page links a Lulumahu Falls permit application on trails.ehawaii.gov, and permits are also available in person at DOFAW district offices. Each online permit carries a $2.50 processing fee, which is non-refundable.
The portal says to print your permit in advance and carry it at all times on site. A second copy must be displayed on your vehicle dashboard. DLNR says all persons need an access permit to enter restricted forest reserves.
Parking off the Pali Highway
Hawaii Magazine and Shaka Guide place the parking at a dirt or gravel lot off the Pali Highway (Route 61), at its easternmost junction with Nuʻuanu Pali Road. It's the same lot used for Kaniakapupu. BYU-Hawaii's Ke Alakaʻi described a 'Nuʻuanu Public Hunting Area Unit E' sign at the entrance.
DLNR publishes no parking description or route map for Lulumahu. DLNR says the public is generally free to enter forest reserves during daylight hours unless restricted, but that is a general rule, not posted hours for this trail.
If you'd prefer a falls hike with no permit, Mānoa Falls in Honolulu is on the state's Na Ala Hele trail program and needs none.
Map and nearby falls
Map loads as you scroll. Open in OpenStreetMap
OpenPartly open / seasonalUnconfirmedClosedLarger map
The Lulumahu Falls trail
The Lulumahu Falls trail is unmaintained and has no official distance; guides give about 1.5 to 2.5 miles round trip.
Hike time and difficulty
There's no official distance, time or difficulty rating for this route, and the guides disagree. Shaka Guide (2026) gives about 1.5 miles round trip, Hawaii Magazine (2015) gave 2.5 miles, and the Star-Advertiser called it a mile-long trail.
Shaka Guide rates the hike moderate, or moderate to difficult in its unmarked, muddy sections, and notes a stream crossing. Hawaii Magazine called it pleasant enough for beginners. Allow extra time for mud and stream crossings.
Because DLNR calls the trail and falls area unmaintained, plan for rough footing, and wear shoes with good grip.
Rockfall at the base
After the 2021 rockfall, DLNR gave hikers two pieces of advice: watch for fresh rockfall, and limit the time you spend in risky spots. The base of the falls is where the 2021 injuries happened, so keep your stay there short.
Hike with a partner and tell someone your plans before you set out on an unmaintained route.
Maunawili Falls, reached on a longer trail from a Pali Highway overlook, is about 2 miles away in a straight line.
When to visit
DLNR's permits page still offers Lulumahu permits, and we found no 2026 closure notice (checked Oct 28, 2026). Check the permit site for changes before you book.
Weather matters here. The hiker HFD rescued on August 15, 2026 was stranded in wind, rain and high water, according to the department. Pick a dry day, and turn back if conditions change.
Shaka Guide suggests the dry summer season, because the trail gets very muddy and streams can become dangerous in heavy rain. It also calls Lulumahu 'still a crowded trail' and suggests starting early to avoid the crowds.
DLNR's Na Ala Hele hiking-safety guidance warns that rain on the mountains can raise a stream suddenly, even if it looks dry where you stand. If water rises, wait for it to drop instead of crossing.
| Height | 50 ftNote: about 50 ft per Hawaii Magazine, 2015, and Shaka Guide, 2026. HFD reported a hiker stranded about 80 ft up beside the falls in 2026, and the Star-Advertiser reported a 100-ft fall in 2020 |
|---|---|
| Trail | Unmaintained route; guides give about 1.5 mi round trip (Shaka Guide, 2026) to 2.5 mi round trip (Hawaii Magazine, 2015); no official distance |
| Difficulty | Moderate, per Shaka Guide, with unmarked, muddy sections; Hawaii Magazine (2015) called it pleasant enough for beginners |
| Entry fee | $2.50 permit processing fee (DLNR, via trails.ehawaii.gov) |
| Permit / reservation | DLNR day permit required ($2.50 processing fee) |
| Parking | Small lot off the Pali Highway (Route 61); permit on dashboard |
| Swimming | No official swimming area. Hawaii DOH advises against freshwater swimming (leptospirosis), and rocks fall at the base of the falls |
| Wheelchair / stroller | No (unmaintained trail) |
| Best time to visit | The dry summer season, per Shaka Guide (2026), because the trail gets very muddy and streams can turn dangerous in heavy rain. No specific months given. |
| Crowds | Busy: Shaka Guide (2026) calls it 'still a crowded trail' and suggests going early to avoid crowds |
| Managed by | Hawaii DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (Honolulu Forest Reserve, restricted watershed; issues the access permit) |
Safety and swimming
On April 29, 2021, falling rocks at the base of Lulumahu Falls critically injured a 25-year-old hiker and seriously injured a 27-year-old, the Star-Advertiser reported. Afterward, DLNR said rocks fall there all the time.
Hawaii News Now reported that a man died on the trail in 2020 after falling from the falls. Do not climb on or beside the falls, and keep your distance from the base.
On August 15, 2026, HFD used ropes to lower a hiker who was stranded about 80 feet up beside the falls. Crews worked in wind, rain and high water, the department said.
There's no official swimming area. The Hawaii Department of Health advises against swimming or wading in freshwater in Hawaii because of leptospirosis, an illness spread through animal urine. Fever, chills and red eyes can start 2 days to 4 weeks after exposure.
Where to stay near Lulumahu Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Honolulu (Nuʻuanu).
See places to stay nearbyAffiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Partners do not see or change our waterfall facts. Disclosure.
Photos
Lulumahu Falls FAQ
Do you need a permit or reservation for Lulumahu Falls?
Yes, both. DLNR says a reservation and permit are required to hike this trail. Book on trails.ehawaii.gov ($2.50 processing fee) or at a DOFAW district office. Print the permit, carry it, and put a copy on your dashboard.
Is Lulumahu Falls legal to hike?
Yes, with a DLNR permit. The falls are in the Honolulu Forest Reserve, a restricted watershed, and DLNR says all persons need an access permit to enter restricted forest reserves.
Where do you park for Lulumahu Falls?
Guides place parking at a lot off the Pali Highway (Route 61) at its easternmost junction with Nuʻuanu Pali Road, shared with Kaniakapupu. DLNR has no official parking description, but it requires a permit copy on your dashboard.
How long does it take to hike to Lulumahu Falls?
There's no official time or distance. Guides give about 1.5 miles round trip (Shaka Guide, 2026) to 2.5 miles (Hawaii Magazine, 2015). Allow extra time for mud and stream crossings.
Is Lulumahu Falls hard or dangerous?
Yes, it can be. In 2021, DLNR said the trail isn't maintained and that rocks fall there all the time. That year falling rocks badly injured two hikers at the base, and in August 2026 HFD lowered a stranded hiker by rope.
Can you swim at Lulumahu Falls?
There's no official swimming area. The Hawaii Department of Health advises against freshwater swimming because of leptospirosis, and the base of the falls has a history of rockfall.
Is the Lulumahu trail maintained?
No. In 2021, DLNR described the trail and waterfall area as unregulated and not maintained.
How tall is Lulumahu Falls?
We found no official height. Hawaii Magazine (2015) and Shaka Guide (2026) say about 50 feet. Other reports suggest more: HFD said a hiker it rescued in 2026 was about 80 feet up beside the falls.
Nearby waterfalls
.jpg){kind=link}
Sources
- DLNR DOFAW: Permits (Lulumahu Falls: Honolulu Forest Reserve, restricted watershed; read Oct 28, 2026)
- DLNR DOFAW: Oʻahu FAQ
- KHON2: Falling rocks injure two at Lulumahu (Apr 30, 2021)
- Star-Advertiser: Lulumahu Falls accident prompts warning (May 1, 2021)
- Hawaii News Now: Lulumahu trail remains open (May 1, 2021)
- HFD: Hiker rescued from the Lulumahu Falls Trail (Aug 31, 2026)
- Hawaii Magazine: 6 Great Oahu Hiking Trails (Derek Paiva, May 26, 2015)
- Shaka Guide: Ultimate Guide to Oahu's Best Waterfalls (Spencer Lowe, Sept 4, 2026)
- Star-Advertiser: report on a Lulumahu hiker fall (Apr 14, 2020)
- Ke Alakaʻi (BYU-Hawaii): Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout and nearby hikes (Sept 5, 2018)
- DLNR DOFAW: Trail and access permit portal (print, carry and dashboard rules)
- Hawaii DOH: Leptospirosis
- DLNR Na Ala Hele: Hiking safety
- OpenStreetMap: Lulumahu Falls map location
Last verified Oct 28, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with Hawaii DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (Honolulu Forest Reserve, restricted watershed; issues the access permit) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.