Sacred Falls
Sacred Falls, Oahu
Sacred Falls, which is named after the 1,370-acre state park that it resides in, is a beautiful waterfall on Oahu that is surrounded by rocky cliffs and greenery. It drops 80 feet (24 m) down into a pool. This waterfall used to be one of the most popular ones on the island when it was still accessible via a hiking trail.
However, on Mother's Day of 1999, the trail was closed indefinitely after eight people were killed and 50 others were injured when boulders and rocks collapsed into the narrow Sacred Falls valley where the visitors were unable to escape from the falling debris.
Even before the incident, the area was known to be dangerous because the footing on the park's trail could become very slippery, and deaths had occurred on the waterfall trail when water from flash floods in the mountains swept hikers down the canyon.
The park still remains closed to the public, though there has been advocacy to reopen it with restrictions. For now, the only way you can see the falls is by air, such as while on an Oahu helicopter tour.
Sacred Falls Overview
- Trail to Sacred Falls is CLOSED indefinitely after rockslide tragedy
- The only way to see the waterfall is with a helicopter tour
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Reviews and Comments: | | | Beautiful to see it from the air. | | Mark, Fri Aug 02, 2024 |
 | | | Reading the other person's comment is infuriating
to anyone that appreciates the sacredness, history, and
safety of this area. Freedom is not free, and anyone
thinking that can break the law, even if it is for
their own safety is just lying to him/herself. I've
seen too many people just like this feel entitled to
break laws and when they get really hurt, blame the
state and sue because there was not enough
"signs" or preventive measures to stop them.
Same thing happened at the blow hole some years ago
when a tourist decided to "exercise his
freedom" and cross the boundries, fences, walls,
and Do Not Enter signs there, ONLY to be killed. The
family then sued the state successfully for millions of
dollars for the reasons listed above. The citizens of
Hawai'i was then billed for this "freedom".
If you value your life and the laws of this land, obey
them for your safety and keep sacred falls sacred. | | Hi'iakaikapoli'opele, Sun Jan 06, 2019 |
| | | I've been here twice in my life. I'm returning
to Hawaii in a few weeks and would love more than
anything to return there again. I think it's
absolutely ridiculous that that the government can tell
me I can't go somewhere simply because they think
it might be dangerous. What ever happened to freedom?
I'll decide what what's good for me and
what's not. Just a sign of the times I guess. The
government has to decide everything for everybody. So
much for the land of the free and the home of the
brave. | | Tiffani Corda, Sat Feb 20, 2016 |
| | | I was shown this trail back in 76 by some local
friends. I used to hike back by myself alot as a teen.
whenever I could... and swim, bask on the rocks...felt
like my hair was conditioned from the icy water so
pure, and softening. No other sound but the fall,
birds. The icy water and warm sunlight peeking
through...I will never forget that view straight up
between the adjoining mountains. It was a seminal part
of my Spiritual growth and commune with nature...I was
so sad to hear of the closing. It is still my happy
place I go to...It will remain so till I get to heaven,
and guess what!? I think it will be just like that! | | Monica, Thu Dec 03, 2015 |
| | "SACRED FALLS-DON'T RISK YOUR LIFE, A FINE OR
JAIL!".
A newly released video from the
Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources
highlights the personal and legal perils of entering
Sacred Falls State Park on Oahu. Intended to counter
countless blogs and websites which encourage hikers to
trespass into the park, despite dozens of warning
signs, this video traces the tragic history of death at
Sacred Falls and chronicles DLNR law enforcement
efforts to try and curb illegal entry.
http://player.vimeo.com/external/119992399.hd.mp4?s=b
191df8ff24948bdfa93070fc52f204d | | HI Dept. of Land & Natural Resource, Mon Mar 09, 2015 |
| | | I was very fortunate, along with 3 other friends, to
trek into the falls in 1989. We packed a picnic and
spent the better part of the day there. Swimming in the
fresh cold water under the falls was amazing. The most
beautiful part of this experience to me, was to see the
elderly native Hawaiian women come to the edge of the
pools and place down, ever so gracefully, real lei and
fresh fruit, a ritual been done for hundreds of years.
it truly is a Sacred place and should be respected. I
will never forget the beauty and love i felt in such a
truly remarkable place. Its no wonder the Gods protect
it. | | aaron from vancouver, Mon Sep 24, 2012 |
| | | We saw this from the helicopter tour. Way cool. If you
want to take it's picture, be ready & snap quick or
you'll miss your opp. | | Carlene, Wed Apr 04, 2012 |
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Location:
Hauula, HI 96717
