Directions, Map, Parking, Trailhead
The Manoa Falls trail is part of the lush Manoa Valley and the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve on the northeastern outskirts of Honolulu.
Take Highway 1 East to Punahou Street exit (exit 23) and continue on Punahou Street towards the mountains.
After a few blocks on Punahou Street, the road becomes Manoa Road.
Continue on Manoa Road through the Honolulu suburb and into the Manoa Valley, eventually ending up at the Paradise Park parking lot.
If you’re coming from Highway 1 West, take the Wilder Avenue exit (exit 24) onto Wilder Avenue.
After a few blocks, take a right onto Punahou Street and follow the above directions.
You can use “manoa falls honolulu hi 96822” for GPS or Google maps.
Map of the Manoa Falls Trail
The below map of the Manoa Falls trail can be expanded to review directions to the trail and the parking lot.
Parking for the Manoa Falls Trail
First up, the Manoa Falls parking lot at the trailhead, which used to be the most convenient parking lot, is now closed due to the high volume of car break-ins and thefts.
Your main option is the Paradise Park lot, a paid parking lot, open daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, with the fee at $7 as of this writing.
Don’t leave anything visible in your vehicle.
Paradise Park is actually the ruins of an abandoned amusement park, and you can get a glimpse of how the forest has reclaimed the land and buildings
An eerie, post-apocalyptic kind of vibe!
Free street parking is also possible at the lower Manoa neighborhood, in the event the Paradise Park lot is full.
Be respectful of the residents, obey the street parking signs, and be mindful of traffic while walking up Manoa Road.
No parking is allowed on the road from Paradise Park lot to Lyon Arboretum due to fire lane restrictions.
The adjacent Lyon Arboretum, part of the University of Hawaii, offers free parking for visitors to its free, beautiful botanical gardens, but you need to make reservations online.
Parking for Manoa Falls hikers is discouraged.
Entrance Fees, Reservations & Permits
Apart from the parking fee, there are no entrance fees or tickets for the Manoa Falls trail. You also don’t need to make any reservations or secure any permits.
Manoa Falls Trailhead
From the parking lot, as you are facing the entry signposts, look over to the left to the large banyan tree. Head to the steps near the large banyan tree and to Manoa Road.
You will walk a short distance on the road, about 5 minutes, towards Lyon Arboretum, but be careful of traffic on this stretch. The road is narrow with blind spots.
The trailhead is just off the road in front of you, while the road curves to the left towards Lyon Arboretum..
It is well sign-posted, with a usually locked metal gate and a small footpath next to it.
You will also find an interpretive sign board with lots of information about the trail.