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Upper Waikani Falls

MM 19.5

Upper Waikani Falls drops into a pool right beside a one-lane bridge around Mile 19.5. It's a striking sight, but there is nowhere safe to park, so this is a momentary drive by delight.

⏱ Drive-by at stop 🚗 81 min from Pāʻia ✓ Free to access

At a glance

What you'll see: Three falls side by side — Three parallel cascades drop into a pool just below the one-lane bridge. The number of visible falls varies with rainfall and irrigation diversions.
Parking: None, do not stop — There is no legal or safe parking at the bridge, and the road narrows here. Good etiquette means not stopping on the bridge if there is any traffic behind you, or approaching from the other side.

About Upper Waikani Falls

Around Mile 19.5, the highway crosses a one-lane bridge right beside Upper Waikani Falls, often 'incorrectly' referred to as the Three Bears Falls. It's a photogenic waterfall, but one that can only be savoured for a brief moment as there is no where to park to view the falls. The actual number of cascades depends on recent rainfall and the area's irrigation diversions.

There is no safe pull off in the vicinity of the falls and stopping on the bridge if there is any traffic will illicit immediate reponses from residents. Remember that the delicate highway is a vital and fragile lifeline for East Maui communities but also a tiring commute. They don't have patience for sightseers even if the scenery is understandably mesmerizing.

Good to know

The Hāna highway demands constant concentration from the driver and they will miss out on enjoying some sights. Perhaps compensation of some type is in order?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you park at Upper Waikani Falls?
No. There's no safe or legal parking at the bridge, and the road narrows here. The current parking fines of $250 (all along the highway) tell you that the county isn't messing around.
Why is it also called Three Bears?
This is another example of the Maui Revealed guidebook popularizing a name. The name alludes to the three side-by-side cascades that flow when wawterflow is reduced. Today we understand the value of using historical place names instead of western substitutes. Waikani translates to 'singing water', or 'roaring water'.
Can you swim at Upper Waikani Falls?
No. There's a pool at the base, but with no safe parking or maintained access, reaching it means stopping where you shouldn't and scrambling down.
Where is Upper Waikani Falls?
It sits beside a one-lane bridge around Mile 19.5 on the Hāna Highway, on the mountain side of the road.