Manoa
7.9Friend Score / 10$
Known formanoa fallslyon arboretumuniversity of hawaiirainforest hike
A lush, rainy residential valley ten minutes mauka of Waikiki, home to the University of Hawaii, the Manoa Falls rainforest hike, and Lyon Arboretum's 200 tropical acres. It's the easiest 'wet green Hawaii' fix from town. Caveat: it rains most days (that's why it's green) and the falls trail is muddy — bring shoes you don't love and skip swimming under the falls.
Key facts
| Hours | Hours not verified |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | TheBus route 5 from Ala Moana runs up the valley toward the trailhead area ($3.00 HOLO fare); ~30-40 min from Waikiki |
| Time needed | Half a day — the falls hike is about 1.5-2 hours round trip, plus arboretum time |
| Best time to go | Mornings — clearer skies before afternoon valley showers, and the paid trailhead lot (8am-6pm) still has space |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
7.9/10- Value8.2
- iconic6.0
- Freshness9.1
- Crowd level6.0
- Authenticity8.5
- Accessibility7.0
Frequently asked questions
- Can I swim at Manoa Falls?
- No — the pool is shallow, rockfall happens, and there's leptospirosis risk in Hawaii's freshwater streams. Look, photograph, and keep the swim for the beach on your way home.
- Was Manoa Falls really in Jurassic Park?
- The valley's rainforest has appeared in productions like Lost, and the falls trail has that exact primeval look — bamboo groves, banyans, mist. Whatever the filmography details, it delivers the 'walked into a movie' feeling ten minutes from the city.
- Why does it rain so much in Manoa?
- Trade winds push moist air up against the Ko'olau mountains at the valley's back, wringing out near-daily showers — which is exactly why everything is impossibly green and rainbows are routine. Showers usually pass in minutes; mornings are driest.
- What is Lyon Arboretum and should I go?
- A 200-acre University of Hawaii botanical garden at the back of the valley — quieter and arguably prettier than the falls trail, with its own small waterfall hike. It's open weekdays roughly 9am-3pm, donation-suggested, with free parking just past the paid falls lot; closed weekends.
- Does Manoa Falls cost anything?
- The trail itself is free with no reservations needed, but the Paradise Park lot at the trailhead charges $7 and runs 8am-6pm daily. Take TheBus route 5 or get dropped off and it's a genuinely free morning.
- How hard is the Manoa Falls hike?
- Easy-moderate: about 1.6 miles round trip on a maintained but often muddy and rooty rainforest trail, 45-60 minutes each way at a stroll. Kids do it all the time — just wear grippy shoes and accept some mud.
- How do I get to Manoa from Waikiki without a car?
- TheBus route 5 from Ala Moana Center runs up the valley to near the trailhead in about 30-40 minutes total from Waikiki, $3.00 with HOLO. It drops you a short walk from the falls trail — one of the easiest carless hikes on Oahu.
- Is there anywhere good to eat in Manoa?
- Manoa's small commercial center near East Manoa Road has solid local coffee, bakeries, and casual eats — enough for a great post-hike breakfast. It's a residential neighborhood, so think neighborhood cafes, not a dining scene like Kaimuki's.
Nearby in Ask Honolulu
- Morning Glass Coffee + CafeCafé0.59 km · 7 min walk
- Tantalus Lookout - Puu Ualakaa State ParkAttraction1.43 km · 18 min walk
- Tantalus-Round Top Drive & Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State WaysidePark1.67 km · 21 min walk
- Lyon ArboretumPark2.03 km · 25 min walk
- Manoa Falls TrailPark2.08 km · 26 min walk
Where to stay near Manoa
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