Wai'oma'o Falls Flash Flood (GoPro POV)

12-20-2010: We ventured out into the deep reaches of Palolo Valley to Wai'oma'o Falls, and ultimately to the rim of Ka'au Crater to complete the hike as a loop, climbing all three waterfalls... all during a flash flood!

The Hawaiian islands have been receiving nearly a week's worth of rain, due to Tropical Storm Omeka that is just a little over 1,000 miles to the southwest of the island of Kaua'i. It's been drawing warm moist tropical air from the south to the islands, resulting in torrential downpours. Oahu alone received nearly 10 inches of rain, which is very beneficial to help cease the drought that has plagued the islands over the summer.

On this day, we managed to climb up all 3 very angry waterfalls, the 3rd waterfall being the most scariest as it requires one to cross the base of one of it's subfalls, putting the hiker in the direct line of fire of the raging white water that is plummeting down the side of Ka'au Crater! With such massive force, the water can easily sweep an unsuspecting hiker off balance and potentially down the falls. In the end, we all made it and took the lower loop to the west end of the crater rim and back down it's west ridge back to Wai'oma'o Stream.

Yesterday (12-19-2010), the stream was reported by Jeremy Kreis to be up to around 8 feet deep, almost to where the pipe starts descending the steep slope, hampering him and his crew to reach the falls. Today, the stream was no where near that deep, but the falls was flowing just as hard as it was yesterday.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Ka'au Crater
• Kaau Crater
• Wai'oma'o Falls
• Waiomao
• Palolo Valley
• Oahu
• Hawaii

[lauriejamjam]

Have done this one twice and never saw the falls even close to that heavy.  You are crazy and awesome!!

[kenchristine]

i'd like to come with you guys.hahaha

[mloftin21]

Awesome vid! And I get my 15 secs of fame at waterfall 3! Woohoo!

[Mokuluanui]

Very nice! You guys must have pure testosterone flowing in your veins.

[popokigirl]

Awesome! Sooo beautiful.

[samartbrad]

cheehoo, another great vid bro. Epic falls we got!