5   Twin Falls

Twin Falls #2 (25 ft.)

Twin Falls #3(40 ft.)

Twin Falls cascade #1 (15 ft.)

Twin Falls cascade #1 (15 ft.)

Location: Hana Rd., Maui, Maui County
Height: ~40 ft.
Access:   hike   dog  
Distance: 1.2 miles (RT)
Elevation: 500 ft. (+100 ft.)
Season: Dec-Jul
Difficulty: easy hike
Lat/Long:20.90404, -156.24415
Directions:From the Hwy 360/365 junction (mile marker 0), drive east on Hwy 360 (Hana Hwy) for 2.2 miles to the large turnout on the right, signed as Twin Falls.
  Click to view map of Twin Falls hike   Twin Falls pictures for sale; Click to view gallery

Twin Falls is the first of many waterfalls you'll find along the scenic and windy, Hana Rd. It is a very popular stop, though most of the people I saw walking here did not really know what they were getting into or even where they were going.

The area is private property, but the locals have opened it up to the public. There is a little market area at the entrance and they ask for donations. I think it is rather generous of them to allow people to come here for free or a small donation, and I applaud their decision. You will also find a few abandoned and trashed cars at the entrance (something that is plentiful on Maui, and along the Hana Hwy in particular). You also should be aware that car break-ins are common around here (on Maui, in general). So don't leave ANYTHING in your car.

Twin Falls consists more than a pair of waterfalls. I found three significant waterfalls along the streams here, though others have said there are more than three. The first waterfall is a short distance up the road. It could be a bit slippery getting down to it. Most people were bypassing this waterfall. The main falls here is a small 15 ft. drop, though there is an upper cascade above it as well.

If you continue up the main road, you will come to a stream crossing. This is Hoolawanui Stream. If the creek is high, you will definitely be getting wet here. Many people I saw walking up the road were totally unprepared or unaware there would be a significant stream crossing, and I suspect many turned back here (of course, if the stream wasn't so high, it would be much easier). I think also many people were unaware it is a bit of a hike to the main waterfalls as well (about a 20 minute walk). After crossing the stream, the road continues up to a fork. If you follow the crowd and continue right, you will come to a water ditch where you again need to cross Hoolawanui Stream, getting your feet wet some more. The waterfall is a short distance further. It is about 25 ft. high, and contains a lovely little pool for swimming. It is not spectacular by any stretch of the imagination, but is just a small, nice, little waterfall. The vast majority of people come to this waterfall, take their photos, perhaps go for a quick swim, then go back to their cars at the road. They are blithely unaware there is another waterfall here. Remember though, this is called "Twin Falls", not "Single Falls". If you continue back to the fork, then go left up the hill, you will come to a dandy 40 ft. high waterfall on Hoolawaliilii Stream. It is a little trickier to reach, and also involves a stream crossing, and in addition, may require a swim to get to the base of it. When I was here, the stream was much too high to wade across. With my expensive camera equipment, I was not about to go swimming. So I had to settle for a long distance and obscured view of the waterfall through the trees. If the creek is lower, it may be easy to wade right up to the base of the waterfall. Otherwise, take a swim. It is a nice one.

Frankly, however, I think most people spend too much time at Twin Falls. It is the first waterfall stop along Hana Rd., but there are plenty, better waterfalls further along. Twin Falls is a small set of waterfalls, not particularly spectacular. If you don't have much time to spend on Hana Rd., Twin Falls would be one place you could easily bypass.

Zoom out on map to see all nearby waterfalls:

Other waterfalls nearby:
Waikamoi Falls 3.70 miles
Lower Puohokamoa Falls 4.30 miles
Punalau Falls 4.88 miles
Waikani Falls 7.42 miles
Upper Waikani Falls 7.50 miles
Lower Wailuaiki Falls 7.98 miles
Puaa Kaa Falls 8.77 miles
Upper Hanawi Falls 9.68 miles
Makapipi Falls 10.31 miles
Lower Makamakaole Falls 15.80 miles
Makamakaole Falls 16.51 miles
Waihiumalu Falls 18.12 miles
Waimoku Falls 18.46 miles
Wailua Falls 18.97 miles
Paihi Falls 19.10 miles
Alelele Falls 19.36 miles
Makahiku Falls 19.45 miles
Kukuiula Falls 19.67 miles
Oheo Gulch Falls 19.76 miles

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