Maunawili Falls Hike

Maunawili Falls Hike - its about a 3 mile hike round trip located in Kailua, Hawaii.  This hike full filled my dream of going on a hike and swimming in a waterfall at the end.  Now that is said, swimming in fresh water streams in Hawaii may not be the best idea.  They have a bacteria in the water called leptospirosis which can cause infections -really bad ones.  Anyhow, didn't stop me from going into the water but if you have unhealed cuts, sores or lesions - stay out.  Here is a link with more information : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptospirosis

So back to the hike, so when you arrive there is a small parking area up the road from the trail head.  The locals are nice enough to post warnings and safety precautions on a chalk board by where you park.  So you walk down the road a bit, go over bridge and then you finally make it to the trail head.  This hike is fun but wear proper footwear!  I have never seem soo many people slipping and sliding as I did on this hike.  Flip Flops are a NO NO!  It was extremely muddy and it will probably be muddy when you go too.  Its on the rainy side of the island.  

The hike, because of the mud, can be a little treacherous, be careful - find a walking stick if that helps.  But after an hour or so of watching your step, you will be rewarded by arriving at Maunawili Falls.  This is a very popular hike and there will be people coming and going by.  Not a good loose dog hike for sure.  It was a little cooler out the day that I went. So there wasn't really anyone but me in the water which was fine by me.  

 There is a rope and ledges to dive off of.  I am not advocating that all.  I guess the week before someone was jumping off one of the ledges and landed wrong and broke her back.  She was helicoptered out.  Be careful people.  But I guess a lot of people do jump off the sides of the waterfall.

The water as you can see is very murky and I have no idea where its deep or not, but I loved exploring anyhow.  I will definitely do this hike again for sure, if not just to go swimming again