Akaka Falls is the largest easily accessible waterfall on the island of Hawaii, boasting an impressive vertical drop of over 400 feet. It serves as the centerpiece of this rainforest park and attracts hundreds of visitors daily. While capturing a decent photo of the falls is not difficult, finding the right conditions for a truly great shot is uncommon. The water flow is primarily influenced by recent rainfall. Although this eastern side of the island typically experiences abundant rain, it often results in a lighter and less dramatic flow.
On this particular occasion, the area had recently undergone a major flooding storm, and the flow was stronger than I had ever seen during my numerous visits. I also noticed a small waterfall on the right that I had never seen before. We were on the island when the storm occurred and made the two-hour trip to the park specifically to experience the falls with heightened water flow.
Aside from the impressive flow, we were fortunate to have excellent lighting conditions. The waterfall cascades into a deep, circular cavern that receives light only during late morning to mid-afternoon, and the area is frequently overcast. On this day, the clouds muted reflections, which allowed the intricate details of the surrounding lush foliage to shine through. The combination of water, mist, and tropical plants created a primordial atmosphere that is hard to replicate.
I aimed to achieve a smooth flow while retaining enough detail to convey the intensity of the scene. After experimenting with several shutter speeds, I found that 1/125 second was sufficient to achieve the desired effect, and a wide-open aperture provided adequate depth of field. Of the hundreds of shots I’ve taken of this waterfall, this remains my favorite.
