Honolulu Off the Beaten Path Tips by GuthrieColin

Manoa Falls is probably the most visited Waterfall on Oahu. The falls is about 150 feet (45 m) although some sources inaccurately label it as much shorter.
I found the hike to be very nice aside from its heavy use. It is a very popular hike. The trail begins at the Lyon Arboretum and the plant life along the trail seems to be an extension of that. Bamboo and many other interesting foliage lines the trail.
The falls seem to be quite seasonal, when I visited the water was hardly flowing but I believe it would be much more impressive had there been more water. The end of the trail has cables set up to restrict access to the base of the falls. The fear is that a rockslide could come down as it has in the past. You should also be aware of the potential for encountering the Leptospirosis bacteria if you swim.
The parking area for Manoa Falls charges $5 just to park. I find this crazy since it is a trailhead that seems like it’s pretty far out. However if you drive back down the road until you stop seeing signs saying “No Parking” you should be able to find roadside parking for free.

Directions:
From H-1 take the University Street exit. Drive through UH campus and Turn right once you get to Manoa Road. Follow carefully follow until it dead ends at the trail head.

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Website: http://www.backyardoahu.com/

Alapena Pool and Kapena Falls (sometimes called Alapena Falls) is in a lush jungle habitat just off the Pali Highway. You can actually get a glimpse of the crest of the falls while driving along the falls if you know where to look.
The falls itself is about 15 feet (5 m) and falls into a deep pool. Cliff jumping locations can be found above the pool. Be aware, however if you do decide to swim that their is a risk of encountering the Leptospirosis bacteria.
The area was once used as a royal bathing area in ancient Hawaiian times, it has sense been overrun by banyan trees with long cascading foliage. Although the falls are very picturesque, the Highway can constantly be heard just behind the falls. I was actually more interested in the lower falls (see next tip) found just downstream, than Kapena falls itself. It is more scenic, quieter, and provides a more relaxing atmosphere.

Directions:
From H-1 Exit on the Pali Highway (61) and drive 1 mile to Wylie street exit and turn around returning onto the Pali highway in the southbound direction. In .2 miles take a “Scenic Lookout” turnout on the right.
From this parking area walk back up the road to near where the initial “Scenic Lookout in 500 feet” sign is from there a path should be visible to your left. Follow this path to the falls.

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Website: http://www.pacificworlds.com/nuuanu/stories/story1.cfm

Alapena falls is found just downstream from Kapena falls and the Alapena Pool. This area is remarkably relaxing seeing at it is nestled between a highway and a cemetery. The cascades here are about 15-20 feet (3-6 m) over through a rocky gorge.
The banyan trees close in the amphitheatre and little sunlight makes it through so the lighting conditions are very good for photography. I don’t believe that the pool beneath would be deep enough for swimming but I may be incorrect. As is the case with most of the streams in Hawaii the Leptospirosis bacteria may be present so don't drink the water. There are also some ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs somewhere in the area. I didn’t see them though.

Directions:
From H-1 Exit on the Pali Highway (61) and drive 1 mile to Wylie street exit and turn around returning onto the Pali highway in the southbound direction. In .2 miles take a “Scenic Lookout” turnout on the right.
From this parking area walk back up the road to near where the initial “Scenic Lookout in 500 feet” sign is from there a path should be visible to your left. Follow this path to the falls. Find your way downstream for about 100 feet (30 m) to the other waterfall.

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Website: http://www.lostvirtualtour.com/lost/filming_locations/kapenafalls/index.html

The Judd Trailhead begins on Nu’uanu Pali rd just south of the Nu’uanu reservoir. It is a loop trail which accesses the Jackass Ginger pool and waterfall. The waterfall (maybe called Kahuailanawai falls) is around 10 feet (3 meters) and a rope has been tied off in a tree above the falls for swimming purposes. Be sure if you do decide to swim here that you are aware of the leptospirosis bacteria that is common in many of the streams of Oahu.
This trail is well known for its swamp mahogany, bamboo, guava, and Norfolk Island pines. Of course it doesn’t hurt that there is a waterfall and swimming hole which reaches a depth of about 8 feet (2.4 meters) for people to jump in. The distance from the trailhead to the falls (go right after stream crossing) is only about 1/2 mile and travels along the Nu’uanu Stream

Directions:
From Honolulu drive north on the Pali Hwy (61) for 2.5 miles. Turn right at Nu’uanu Pali Drive and go 1 mile to a signed trailhead. From there proceed into the forest and meet up with the trail.

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Website: http://www.backyardoahu.com/index.html?lulu1.htm

Luakaha Falls is one of those rare finds. I ran across it on accident actually. It is a beautiful waterfall in the Nu’uanu reservoir area that is about 50 feet (15 meters) tall and cascades over a steep rock face. The pool beneath the falls does not look deep enough to swim in and certainly not to dive into.
There is however, a lawn and some landscaping at the base of the falls. Someone has built a house on the other side of the gorge from the falls. There are no trespassing signs posted to keep people from continuing beyond the grassy lawn but the house is far enough away that it does not spoil the scene.
This is one of the few scenic spots on the island that you may actually be able to enjoy on your own. It is so unknown that I could not even find much information about it on the extensive database that is the internet.

Directions:
Describing how to get to this waterfall is more difficult than I could likely portray with a few simple sentences. If you really want to go here send me an E-mail and I’ll see if I can help you. General area – Along the Nu’uanu stream south of the Nu’uanu Reservoir #4.

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Website: http://www.hawaiianforest.com/prints/main.php?g2_itemId=516

The Nu’uanu Pali Lookout at 1,186 feet (361 meters) is a great place to get a view of windward Oahu. It isn’t really what I would consider “off the beaten path” however. That is where it has been put though. At only 8 miles from downtown Honolulu it has become a very popular destination to take in a beautiful view.
Many tour busses arrive here every day and most of the visitors simply walk out to the lookout and peek over the tall cliffs, marvel at the view, and the high winds that frequent the area then leave. There is however several very nice hikes that begin from this location. Likeke Falls (next tip) and several hikes lead to nearby peaks and can be great ways to become more familiar to Nu’uanu Pali lookout.
The Nu’uanu Pali Lookout is accessed by Nu’uanu Pali Drive just 8 miles north of Honolulu via the Pali Highway. The Nu'uanu Pali Drive is locked in the evening, likely to protect the area from vandalism. The hours that the gates stay open are between 8:00AM and 4:pm daily.

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Website: http://www.hawaiiweb.com/oahu/sites_to_see/pali_lookout.htm

Likeke Falls is about 30 feet (9 meters) tall and is in a very secluded location. I was amazed to find that despite the limited rain that had fell recently and its high elevation their was actually a lot of water flowing.
The hike is around 2 miles one way and can be a little confusing. Even with the minor confusion this hike remains fairly popular I believe some eco-tour company may lead hikes here since I passed what I assumed was a tour guide along the way back.

Directions:
From the Pali Lookout follow the old Pali Highway until it is completely overgrown. At that point make your way down a short path to the current Pali Highway. A set of stairs drops beneath the highway and follows a short path which again connects to an abandoned road. At a sharp hairpin corner (turning right) another abandoned road branches off. Take that road and immediately after a bridge a faint path leads uphill to the left. Follow that path over a ridge and back into the forest. After reaching what appears to be a wash or a primitive road there is another turnoff to your left. From there it is just a short distance to the falls.

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Website: http://www.backyardoahu.com/index.html?lulu1.htm