Laie Falls 18… or 23? (June 18, 2011)

Laie Falls Trail is known by many Oahu hikers as a fairly easy trail. The trailhead is located on Poohaili Street, just up the road from Laie Neighborhood Park (Please mind that a permit is required for this trail). However, instead of just seeing Laie Falls, rumors of there being 18 waterfalls in Kahawainui Gulch, were circulating amongst many of my fellow hiking colleagues. After seeing some of the photographs taken by The 808 Goonies; Baron Yamamoto, Francis Jimenez and I decided to find the illusive Laie 18.

So yeah, we found it and what can I say but, “WOW.” Laie Falls 18 blew my mind away. Falls #14.

On the other hand, we already had a huge task in front of us, which was to find a way down to Kahawainui Gulch from the ridge trail and tackle 18 waterfalls of madness.

I don’t usually take pictures of such things, but these fungi were hungry for some paparazzi action. lol.

We soon encountered small waterfalls, and anticipated them to become larger as we rock-hopped upstream. Francis observing the once closed-canopy of roseapple trees at waterfall #2 (above).

Waterfalls usually become greater in height at higher elevations, as increased discharge in the lowlands from the surrounding watershed erodes many of the falls. Pictured above, Falls #5 and #6.

Not only did we start to see larger waterfalls, we also saw a plethora of native stream organisms. Oopu alamoo (left) and Opae kala ole (right), as well as Oopu nakea and Oopu nopili (not pictured) were abundant throughout the section of Kahawainui Gulch we hiked… loosely indicating the area is of good habitat quality and biological integrity (explained in Kalo Falls write-up). NOTE: The above photos were not taken at Laie Falls Trail.

Many of the falls, such as Falls #7 and #9 (pictured above), required swimming and climbing up the falls. Though if you are confident with your bouldering skills, you can traverse the steep banks of the plunge pools. However, I DO NOT recommend this.

You can also contour around several of the falls, though ensure that you have a way back down to the stream bed… like Falls #10 and #11 pictured above. As mentioned earlier, the falls become much higher and the stream bed more steeply incised into the valley. Thus making contouring very dangerous (see 1st photo of Falls #14).

Francis and Baron posing on top of Falls #12 and below Falls #13 (above left). Falls #13 (above right).

Baron squeezing into a small hole in Falls #15 (left), Falls# 16 and #17 (center), and close up of Falls #17 (right)

I ended up traversing the steep walls of the stream channel for most of the falls, like Falls #18 pictured above, as I did not want to take the chance of getting my camera wet. I do have some experience bouldering, but again, I DO NOT recommend this for people who do not.

Falls #19 and #20 flowing through very different types of base rock. Falls #19 was my favorite (see video at bottom of page).

Me doing my habitual “air-splits” off of Falls #21. Just about to have a victory dance by popping open a boddingtons pub ale at Falls #23. Please use caution while consuming alcohol on hikes or any other physical activity. Alcohol can dehydrate you and affect your balance, as well as exhibit poor decision making.

So yeah, I think there were more than 18 waterfalls at Laie 18. I counted 23 with my photos, however there is some controversy to the minimum height requirement for a waterfall. In our stream surveys for work, a waterfall is only scored if it is greater than 6 feet… though this number may be arbitrary when compared to other definitions of waterfalls. NOTE: Falls#1, #3, #4, #8 and #20 are not pictured. I didn’t upload them because they were either dammed up by fallen trees OR were somewhat small… I’d be happy to share them for anyone who wants to figure out the true number of falls here.

WARNING: This hike is an advanced hike and includes almost 10 hours intense cardio, climbing/bouldering, swimming and balancing skills. In addition to supplies you would bring on a typical 10 hour hike, you should ALSO bring rope, a dry-back (or other waterproof enclosures), long-pants, gloves and tabis (or other felt-bottomed footwear). Again, this is not a trail for a typical hiker.

To view this location on a Google Map also known as my “Adventure Map“, Click Here. For more adventures of the Lost Trailblazers, either look at my other blogposts and “Adventures with the Lost Trailblazers” photo gallery.