Nate’s Adventures: Makiki Falls on Kāneālole Stream
by Nate Yuen | Reading time: 1 minute
I cleared the invasive plants that blocked the view of Makiki Falls on Kāneālole Stream.
Before clearing vegetation.
After clearing vegetation.
I believe this historic photo of Makiki Falls was taken in 1903 but I don't know whether it was taken during the wet or dry season. I took the current photo on March 17, 2022 at the height of the wet season.
The source of the stream is at the top of the Kāneālole Trail where ground water gushes out of the earth at Makiki Springs.
Rainfall over Puʻu ʻŌhiʻa -- Tantalus -- seeps into the earth, filters through lava rock, and emerges as pure fresh water.
There is water in Kāneālole Stream year round because the ground water resources within Puʻu ʻŌhiʻa -- Tantalus – are usually sufficient to sustain the stream flowing during the summer months.
Given the drought we are experiencing on Oʻahu, the Makiki aquifer is probably not being recharged as usual. I will be monitoring Kāneālole Stream and its source Makiki Springs to see how it fares as we enter the dry season.
I will be leading a hike to Makiki Falls and Springs on Saturday, May 28, 2022 (rescheduled from April 30).
You can sign up to join me here!