Rainbow Falls (Hawaii)
Rainbow (Waiānuenue) Falls is a waterfall located in Hilo, Hawaii. It is 80 ft (24 m) tall and almost 100 ft (30 m) in diameter. The falls are part of the Hawai'i State Parks. There is no fee to see the falls.
| Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue Falls) | |
|---|---|
 Rainbow Falls exhibiting its eponymous rainbow prism | |
| Location | Hilo, Hawaii, United States |
| Coordinates | 19°43′9″N 155°6′34″W |
| Type | Plunge |
| Number of drops | 1 |
| Longest drop | 80 ft (24.38 m) |
| Watercourse | Wailuku River |
At Rainbow (Waiānuenue) Falls, the Wailuku River rushes into a large pool below. The gorge is blanketed by lush, dense nonnative tropical rainforest and the turquoise-colored pool is bordered by beautiful, although nonnative, wild ginger. Monstera is also in abundance. The falls are accessible via Wailuku River State Park, Waiānuenue Avenue, coordinates 19°43′9″N 155°6′34″W, and are best seen from the park's viewing platform.
Known in the Hawaiian language as Waiānuenue (literally "rainbow water"),[1] the falls flows over a natural lava cave, the mythological home to Hina, an ancient Hawaiian goddess.[2]
Rainbow Falls derives its name from the fact that, on sunny mornings around 10 am, rainbows can be seen in the mist thrown up by the waterfall.
References
- Mary Kawena Pukui, Samuel Hoyt Elbert and Esther T. Mookini (2004). "lookup of Waianuenue ". in Place Names of Hawai'i. Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library, University of Hawaii Press. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
- Lloyd J. Soehren (2010). "lookup of Waianuenue ". in Hawaiian Place Names. Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
External links
Media related to Rainbow Falls at Wikimedia Commons
- Wailuku River state park official website