Plan Your Visit To Likeke Falls
Occasionally it’s fun to throw in a “locals only” hike, and when it comes to Hawaii, this can be a good thing because so much of the island and many of the trails are overrun with tourists. If you decide to adventure on this one, note that it’s not well marked and not going to be one you find in most guidebooks for a few reasons.
First of all, depending on where you park, you might need to climb under the road through a little culvert. Secondly, because it’s definitely a short, very easy hike, most people looking for an adventure in Hawaii are going to seek out a longer journey, leaving this one for those with little kids.
History of the Likeke Falls trail
The story behind this hike is that it was built by a man named Richard H. Davis in the ’60s. The waterfall was man-made as a result of the highway being built through the area, causing the waterfall to form. Likeke is actually the Hawaiian word for “Richard,” so the falls were actually named after him. It’s a great off-the-beaten-path short hike for toddlers, with the reward of the Likeke waterfall to splash in at the end on a hot day. Although this one is muddy in areas and there are tree roots and rocks to negotiate, both you and your toddler will enjoy the adventure of it all.
How to do the Likeke Falls hike
The hike starts out on a little road where you will pass a chain link fence. Then follow it past a graffiti-covered water tank. Walk about 0.5 mile up the trail and you will come to a large tree carved with more graffiti, including an arrow pointing in the direction of the waterfall. Pass through a tunnel that’s been formed through a messy bush of trees. When the trail starts to get a little wet with water flowing on it, you’ll know you’re close to the falls.
You can expect your toddler to walk most of the way, but have a backup carrier if he or she decides it’s not going to happen. The trail is pretty wide for the most part, but expect some uneven footing as you get closer to the waterfall. Also, the lushness of this hike means mosquitoes are plentiful, so juice up with bug spray.
