Manoa Falls

Mānoa Falls (2012)

Manoa Falls is a waterfall located in the Manoa Valley in Honolulu, Hawaii. It is located in the Manoa Falls Trail which is a 1.6 mile trail in on the Island of Oahu.[1] The trail leads up to the 150 foot waterfall.[2] To get to the waterfall a fee of 5 dollars, or 3 if you are a citizen of Hawaii is required. Visitors are able to pay for entrance to the trail at the Rainbows End Snack Shop.[3] Swimming in the pool below the waterfall is highly discouraged because there is a threat of becoming infected with Leptospirosis. This disease causes mild to moderate flu-like symptoms that can last for up to 1 to 2 weeks.[4] Many tourists are attracted to the waterfall and the scenery throughout the Manoa falls trail leading up to it. Another attraction near Manoa Falls is the Lyon Arboretum. The Lyon Arboretum preserves many endangered Hawaiian plant species.[5] The hike to Manoa Falls and back is around a one hour round trip.[1] The waterfall and surrounding area experiences rainfall almost everyday, and flash floods are also possible.

Characteristics

Manoa Falls is located on the island of Oahu in Honolulu, Hawaii in Manoa Valley. The Manoa Falls is 150 foot waterfall that empties into a small pool of water. The waterfall is nestled in the mountains of Koolau in a tropical rainforest.[6] Since the area surrounding the waterfall is considered a tropical rainforest it is prone to heavy rainfall often making the ground damp and muddy[1] The high amount of precipitation leads to a high about of plant life near the falls.[6] There is often less water in the waterfall during the summer months, which leaves peak tourism to fall during the rainy months of November–March.[1]

Dangers

Leptospirosis

Swimming in the pool at the bottom of the falls is discouraged. This is due to the bacteria disease called Leptospirosis which causes flu-like symptoms up for up to 1/2 weeks. Leptospirosis is found in freshwater and it common in tropical climates, in Hawaii rats and mice often carry the disease and can easily transfer it to humans.[4]

Deaths

A 19 year old valedictorian from Kaiser High School in Honolulu, Hawaii died from falling from the top of Manoa Falls on June 15, 2016. Kirsti Takanishi died two days after the incident and the cause of death was determined to be from blunt force trauma to the head.[7]

Ecology

The Lyon Arboretum is located in the Manoa Valley section of the Manoa Falls Trail. It contains over 5000 plant species. Some plant species included are heliconias, gingers, aroids, bromeliads, and other native Hawaiian plants. Many tourists visit the arboretum but some also go for research and academic purposes. It provides several different programs that develop innovations to restore endangered native Hawaiian plants.[5]

Ginger Plant found in the Lyon Arboretum.

See also

Sources

  1. 1 2 3 4 Lee, Diane (March 29, 2012). "Oahu Hike of the Month: Manoa Falls Trail". Honolulu Magazine. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  2. ↑ DEKNEEF, MATTHEW (October 17, 2016). "12 Tallest Most Epic Watersfalls". Hawaii Magazine. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Rainbow's End Snack Shop (Manoa Falls) - About | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  4. 1 2 "What is Leptosporosis" (PDF). Hawaii State Department of Health. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  5. 1 2 "The Gardens & Trails". Harold L. Lyon Arboretum. 2016-03-30. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  6. 1 2 "Manoa Falls". Discover Hawaii Tours: Hawaii's Ambassadors of Hawaii. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  7. ↑ Blair, A (June 20, 1016). "Kaiser High School 2015 valedictorian dies while hiking Manoa Falls". Hawaii News Now. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
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