Nuuanu Valley Rain Forest

The Nuuanu Valley Rain Forest does not provide visitors with a typical hike through rain forest. The rain forest is only minuets from downtown Honolulu and located in Nuuanu Valley. The area averages 300 inches of rain each year.

To access the forest visitor's drive along Pali Highway through residential Nuuanu, they will then continue to clime through the forest. Nuuanu Pali Road turnoff is located at the last stoplight, and then visitors are to drive through a jungle-like detour under a thick canopy of liana vines, past giant bamboo, Norfolk Pines and wild shell ginger.

As the road rises, the vegetation will clear and the bright light of day will appear just past a small mountain reservoir. The road will then rejoin the Pali Highway, visitors should then turn right, travel approximately half a mile after the right turn visitors will arrive at Nuuani Pali Lookout which features panoramic views of Oahu's windward side. Visitors will then return to the town-bound highway.

Visitors are able to stop at points to stop at parking points along the drive to take photos and view parts of the forest such as the small waterfall that spills into a small pond, this pond view is hidden by a moss covered wall, visitors can peek through the fence to catch a glimpse of the waterfall and pond. There are also some small nature trails through the forest which visitors an hike to places such as Nuuanu Stream.