Hiking the Manoa Falls Trail | Oahu, Hawaii

101 Info

The best time during the day to go to avoid crowds is before 8am or after 2pm (via google)
The best time overall to go is after it rains because you’re hiking to a waterfall. So rain makes the waterfall have more water volume instead of being a trickle which happens if it hasn’t rained in a while. However, rain does also mean it will be muddier and more slippery.

Driving: The trail head is a 22 minute drive from Waikiki and there’s a parking lot that costs $5 cash to park in.
Uber (~$13)
Bus: public transportation, though I haven't done this.

Bug Spray
Bathing suit/towel
Hiking shoes if you have it, tennis shoes will work. Do not recommend flip flops. Muddy and slippery.
Walking stick (optional) - makes any climb easier
And the usual stuff - water, sunscreen, sunglasses

The “Hardness Scale” is difficult to judge because “Hard” is different for everyone.

I would rate it 1.5 or 2/10. (I’m pretty in shape but not Iron Man in shape.)
I was reading through online reviews and someone who was just over 50 years old and considered themselves overweight said that the hike was an 8/10 difficulty.

Friends, Families, Trail Runners, Beginners, Everyone

Friends
Families - I saw several families with under 5-year-olds. Don’t bring strollers (stairs, mud).
Trailer Runners - we saw a couple trail runners. One told us (as he was running) that he had been running this trail every day for over 5 years. Proper trail running/hiking shoes are necessary due to mud.
Beginner hikers
Moderate/Advanced Hikers - the end of this trail is the beginning of the Aihualama and Nu’uanu Loop Trail. Check it out if you want a longer, more challenging hike.

Remember in Jurassic Park when the car was stuck in the tree and the T-Rex was trying to eat them? According to another hiker, the tree that was filmed in is at the entrance of the Manoa Falls Trail.

I think these “stairs” are more difficult than Diamond Head because it’s nature and the symmetry of the trail is incongruent and bumpy.
Manoa Falls is less crowded
Manoa Falls Trail has a cooler jungle surrounding the entire trail and ends in a waterfall
Diamond Head has no jungle but gives you a better view of Honolulu and Waikiki.
Diamond Head is more iconic
Even though I prefer Manoa Falls, if you haven’t done either and can only choose one, I recommend Diamond Head because of its killer view and historical importance. You can’t go wrong though.