MauiGuidebook.com Rating: 
In a nutshell: Wailua Falls is a stunning side-of-the road ~80′ waterfall and plunge pool.
Minuses: Maui’s “most photographed waterfall” is usually crowded.
Sound-bite: “Did that car just say something!?!”
Wailua Falls
DETAILS:
The stunning Wailua Falls are impossible to miss – right smack next to the road. Don’t worry about consulting the map when you’re close to here – the crowd likely standing on the bridge snapping photos will almost guarantee that you’ll turn your head!
Often called the most photographed waterfall on Maui, it is not in Wailua Valley – not even on Waliua Stream (which was the stream just prior to this); Wailua Falls is located past Hana, en route to the Pools of ‘Ohe’o on Honolewa Stream.
Unlike most of the roadside waterfalls you have passed so far, there is plenty of parking here. That also means that most visitors (and all the guided van tours) stop here as well. But if you are willing to spend a little time, you’ll be surprised how fast the crowd turns over, giving some peace in between. (It can also become deserted later in the day.)
Can get crowded when the tour vans unload!
The parking lot usually has some vendors set up selling trinkets for you to bring back home. One of these vendors, Auntie Sharon, is loaded with so much Aloha, that you absolutely must spend some time talking story with her. Auntie is very easy to spot, as she is Maui’s biggest Elvis fan! (Also check out her Elvis-themed Firebird – it has a secret surprise for you!)
There is a nice plunge pool at the base of the falls if you want to take a dip – surprisingly very few of the folks grabbing snapshots from the bridge take the few extra steps down to the pool (so even if you’re not swimming, it is usually much less crowded down there.)
Key Info:
Mile Marker: #44.8 (Hana Hwy aka Hwy 31)
GPS Coordinates: 20.683220,-156.030305
Facilities: None
Get directions
View Wailua Falls in a larger map
Donna says:
Hi, I’m looking for contact information for a woman known as “Auntie Sharon”. She’s an Elvis fan and spiritual soul who has lived in HI all her life. She gave me gifts for my wedding back in 2003 I wrote her a proper thank you, but never found her contact info to send it. I have since divorced and question what to do with these beautiful gifts.
Emma Ross says:
It was so beautiful that my whole camera roll is filed!
gw says:
ACCESS TO THE FALL BASIN HAS BEEN CLOSED PERMENANTLY!!!!!
FINE AND COURT APPEARNCE FOR TRESSPASSERS!!!
DM says:
I found this out myself doing just what you did. Seems pretty stupid for the county or state to let this happen. Especially after you’ve driven down that Hana highway
Dennis Maisel says:
Don’t be surprised, as I was, that this waterfall isn’t running all the time. After an early morning sunrise at Koki Beach, past Hana, I decided to beat the crowds and hit Wailua Falls. It was totally dry. I found out later that people further up from the falls divert the water periodically and this cuts off the waterfalls totally.