Rainbow Falls, Hawaii, United States

3Russell3939 5:00 PM Jan 1, 2023

Underwhelming
I’m sure when it has just rained this waterfall really pumps. We found it underwhelming. They also have the access above the falls closed off. Make sure to go on a day after it rains or while it is raining. Wasn’t that impressed.

3Ryan S 5:00 PM Sep 21, 2021

It beats Akaka Falls because it's free to park and free to see
The falls are nice, we took a video to capture the sound as well. It is a 5-10 minute stop. Also suggest you go to Boiling Pots as long as you are here, just 5 minutes up the road. Rainbow Falls is very similar to Akaka Falls. The surrounding tropical vegetation and nature walk/paved pathway through forest is what makes Akaka more interesting, but they are now charging BOTH to park and to go into Akaka Falls State Park. Given this, if you can get your "tropical foliage pathways walking" somewhere else, Rainbow Falls makes a nice free substitute. If you are only in Hilo short time, or in the surrounding area, and wondering "should I spend my lmited time going to see Rainbow Falls?" - for me, having seen much of the area and only now on my perhaps 5th trip finding time to get here, I would answer, absolutely NOT to go to Rainbow Falls until you have run out of anything else in Hilo or nearby that you would want to do.