Hana Highway Waterfall Marathon (Pt 2 of 5) – January 2012

[Part 1] [Part2] [Part 3] [Part 4] [Part 5]

Along the Hana Highway (State Hwy 360), there are a plethora of amazing waterfalls, streams and step-pools to seek out. Despite most of the streams in East Maui being partially (“some…”) or fully diverted (“no” surface water reaches the ocean during base flow) to Upcountry Maui for agricultural and for drinking purposes, there are still considerable discharges of water above the diversions… which are often near the highway itself. I’ll briefly describe “just a few” of the more memorable falls below…

East Wailua Iki Stream (Waikani / Three Bears Falls) – short hike from road, some scrambling and potentially dangerous footing.

West Wailua Iki Stream – moderate hike from Highway, wide trail.

West Wailua Iki Stream – moderate hike from Highway, wide trail.

West Wailua Iki Stream – moderate hike from Highway, wide trail.

Kopiliula Stream and Falls – moderate hike from Highway, very dangerous footing*.

Kopiliula Stream and Falls – moderate hike from Highway, very dangerous footing*.

Kopiliula Stream and Falls – moderate hike from Highway, very dangerous footing*.

Honolewa Stream Wailua Falls – next to highway, short trail to falls (left). Kanahualii Falls – Moderate hike, NO trail and dangerous footing (right).

Oheo Gulch (7-pools) – Short hike from National Park visitor center, potentially dangerous footing.

Pipiwai Stream (Waimoku Falls) – long hike, but well kept trail.

Long hike, NO trail and very dangerous footing.

East Maui Waterfalls are a must see when traveling to Maui. However, many of them are extremely dangerous to access. If you’ve noticed the “ *’s ” above, I had to treat a hiker with first aid who slipped and “face-planted” hiking down one of the falls… It could have been really, REALLY bad… like evac/airlifted bad. I’m glad he could walk out / assisted for further medical treatment. To minimize the chance of such an injury, ensure to have appropriate footwear. In my opinion, most rubber soled footwear are useless when wet… especially when used on algae/moss covered rocks. If you are hiking primarily on wet rocks and in water, I strongly suggest purchasing “FELT-bottomed” footwear, e.g. stream boots or tabis (see here). If they are BOTH felt-bottomed AND studded/cleated, you are far better off than any other type of footwear for walking / hiking in these circumstances. Spikes on their own are okay too, but less efficient and they significantly scour out the stream rocks… which some people may find disrespectful and definitely aesthetically displeasing when visiting such remote areas.

NOTE: Most of the hikes to the falls I’ve noted are short, though I may not recommend going to some of them, make sure to prepare accordingly if you do. Bring typical hiking clothing, equipment and water, etc. and make sure to research where you want to go BEFORE going to Hana… and definitely don’t do it in the car on the way there, the road is often a “single lane” and meanders considerably.

Stay safe and happy waterfall hunting!!!

Keep in mind this is a 5 part series (see top of page), including camping, waterfall hikes and other adventures… For more photos the Lost Trailblazers, either look at my other blogposts and “Adventures with the Lost Trailblazers” photo gallery. Thanks for visiting and come back again soon!