The Road to Hana may be something of a misnomer for most, given that the final destination for many is marked by reaching the cascading waterfalls at the Pools of ‘Ohe’o, inappropriately referred to as Seven Sacred Pools. The park’s nickname is yet another misnomer of its own, considering that the staggeringly-gorgeous site boasts more than seven deep freshwater pools—and a number of tiered waterfalls that spill into the ocean.
In Brief
Located at Mile Marker #42 on Hana Highway in Kipahulu—roughly twelve miles past Hana proper—the Pools of ‘Ohe’o are part of Haleakala National Park Kipahulu. With ‘Ohe’o translating to “something special,” the beloved place reinforces that ancient Hawaiians were spot-on in their descriptions: with its lofty cascades, surrounding tranquility, and that surf pounding away in the distance, the Pools of ‘Ohe’o crystallize the dynamic, radical beauty of Hawaii.
What to Love
Superlatives are often bandied about to describe this natural wonder, and from “spectacular” to “breathtaking,” every single one of them is deserved. Cutting a path from far beyond what the eye can take in, the waterfalls of ‘Ohe’o cascade from one to the other; surrounded by lush vegetation that includes ti and ginger, they create a near-idyllic manifestation of Earth’s powers. The Kuloa Point Loop Trail passes 5 non-sacred, but beautiful waterfalls with a pool beneath each one on this lower section of Palikea Stream where it enters the Pacific.
Palikea Stream was nominated in 1993 as a National Wild & Scenic River and is a treasure that drains half of Kipahulu Valley. At 8 miles long, It is the longest natural waterway in Hawai’i. The lower 1 mile of Palikea, after its confluence with Pipiwai Stream, flows thru a gulch named ‘Ohe’o which contains 24 pools large enough to swim in. There is much to celebrate and explore in the National Park.
What to Know
Inarguably the most popular destination on East Maui, this region past Hana town is a wonder! The beauty of the pools can be relished from above as well as below along the pools trail (swimming is strictly prohibited due to extreme flash flooding). At the same time, the outlying area, Kipahulu Campground, remains open for tent camping (reservations required). Admission to the park is $30 per car, $25 for motorcycles and $15 per person with no vehicle (as of this writing, November 18th, 2024), which is good for three days; pay an additional amount, and you can obtain an annual pass to Haleakala National Park (which comprises over 37,000 acres). Large, well-maintained bathrooms, BBQ pits, a ranger station, and ample parking are all provided, but reservations for camping are required. Given that the park is part of an intact ahupuaʻa (a parcel of land that’s shielded from resources from shoreline to mountain peak), and given that the site contains ancient Hawaiian artifacts and endangered species, exercise utmost respect by refraining from littering, straying off designated paths, and removing anything from the land.
What You’ll Find Nearby
Directly across the street on the mountain (mauka) side of the road, you’ll find the famed Pipiwai Trail—a spellbinding, four-mile, bamboo-laden path that leads to the stunning 400-foot Waimoku Falls.
ALSO NEAR OHEO GULCH
