Maui Guidebook

Road to Hana – Quick Summary

Last updated 09. Nov, 2009 by Mark.

General Geographic Area: Road to Hana Maui

In a nutshell: The Road to Hana is the crown-jewel of Hawaii driving tours. Lush rainforest, dramatic and rugged ocean vistas, countless waterfalls and pools.
Minuses: If you get car-sick, there are going to be 600 opportunities to review your breakfast.
Sound-bite: “600 turns?!? More like one 50-mile-long turn…”

Just exactly where “The Road to Hana” begins and where it ends is subject to some debate. For my guide purposes, I usually start in the North Shore (Paia area) and end at what …

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Pipiwai Trail & Waimoku Falls

Last updated 02. Feb, 2012 by Walker.

The top half of the Pipiwai Trail cuts though an immense and unforgettable bamboo forest

Rating:

In a nutshell: Pipiwai Trail is a treasure of the National Park System that passes through diverse scenery and culminates at the base of an absolutely spectacular waterfall.
Minuses: You’ll be sharing the trail with lots of other folks.
Sound-bite: [insert hollow percussive sounds of bamboo striking one another]

DETAILS:
Taking into account the easy accessibility, the Pipiwai Trail offers, hands-down, the all-around best of East Maui’s most dramatic stream and waterfall hikes.

This …

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Pools of ‘Ohe’o (aka Seven Sacred Pools)

Last updated 02. Feb, 2012 by Walker.

The Pools of ‘Ohe’o, (HNP Kipahulu)

Rating:

In a nutshell: The Pools of ‘Ohe’o (pupularly called the “Seven Sacred Pools”) are the most popular attraction in East Maui. Beautiful waterfalls, pools, in an absolutely stunning setting. Easy access and full facilities.
Minuses: It gets very crowded as the day goes on. Access to pools is closed off frequently in wet weather.
Sound-bite: “Is that guy really going to jump from there?”

Tip: Call 808-572-4400 Option 2 on the day of your trip to find out if the pools are open. …

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Wai’anapanapa State Park

Last updated 23. Jul, 2009 by Mark.

To get an idea of what is in store, this is the view from the parking lot.

Rating:

In a nutshell: Spectacular views of rugged shoreline, sea arches, black sand beach, and more.
Minuses: Swimming is marginal.
Sound-bite: “Sir, you should probably stand back from that blowhole.”

*NOTE* All photos in the Maui Guidebook can be clicked on to view a larger photo. Most browsers will resize the photo and allow you to click on it a second time for an even larger image. The photos in this article in …

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Wailua & Ke’anae Valley Hike

Last updated 22. Oct, 2010 by Walker.

Giant Fern

Rating:

In a nutshell: A nice 30-minute hike can turn into a spectacular multi-hour moderately easy-going hiking adventure. Graded un-paved access road passes for miles through an undeveloped Eden of Maui rainforest and watershed.
Minuses: Access may require permission from EMI. On weekends you might encounter boar hunters and their pit bulls.
Sound-bite: “Yesterday I found the best hike on Maui that I’ve done.”

DETAILS:
You can make this hike what you want of it. You can dip in a cool, fresh pool complete with dramatic waterfall in …

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Twin Falls

Last updated 18. Apr, 2011 by lilikoi.

"Caveman" at Twin Falls

Rating:

In a nutshell: Twin Falls is the first easily accessible string of waterfalls and pools on the Road to Hana. It also has one of the better snack stands on the journey. Twin falls is typically underrated by guidebooks, and is a worthy stop.
Minuses: You must budget your time properly here if you are cramming the Road to Hana into only one day.
Sound-bite: “How much further to the falls?”

DETAILS:
Okay, why in the world does the most popular guidebook for Maui tell …

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Jaws (aka Pe’ahi)

Last updated 04. Jan, 2012 by Mark.

When the North Shore surf is big, Jaws is gigantic.

Rating:

In a nutshell: The biggest wave surfed in the world each year has been at Jaws more than any other place.
Minuses: The access road can be 4WD
Sound-bite: [crashing waves, cheers and helicopters]

Disclaimer on the rating:
Jaws is only “must-see spectacular” when the North Shore is having monster surf (look for high surf warnings and consult the real-time wave data chart below.)

Key Info:
Mile Marker: Between #13 & 14 (Hana Hwy aka Hwy 36)
GPS Coordinates: …

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Na’ili’ili Haele Stream & Waterfalls (aka “Bamboo Forest”)

Last updated 02. Jan, 2012 by Walker.

Na’ili’ili haele waterfall #3 (or #2, depending how wet it has been.)

Rating:

In a nutshell: Na’ili’ili Haele, for most, will be a nice short hike to two or three waterfalls and pools. The more able hikers will be rewarded with more significant sights.
Minuses: Access may be restricted by EMI. Can become dangerous to nearly impossible depending on conditions/how far you go.
Sound-bite: “Is that really a ladder?”

DETAILS:
This is a great place for everyone from the novice to the extreme hiker, and everyone in between – you …

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Nemo Falls

Last updated 23. Jul, 2010 by Mark.

The bottom half of Nemo Falls

Rating:

In a nutshell: A beautiful unknown waterfall and pool.
Minuses: Access may be restricted by EMI.
Sound-bite: “Wow, a handrail!”

Warning – Those not experienced with Maui safety and EMI access issues should not attempt this hike.
Read the EMI Page.

Getting to Nemo Falls requires a fairly easy ~1/3 mile hike through the Ko’olau Forest Reserve along a 4WD ditch access road, then crossing a narrow utility footbridge (read: potentially unsafe to the untrained, and also EMI infrastructure property), followed by …

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Waikamoi Stream & Waterfalls

Last updated 28. May, 2009 by Walker.

A visitor stands at the top of Waikamoi Stream’s small waterfall, just a few steps from the road.

Rating:

In a nutshell: A drive-up stop, one waterfall and pool are right next to the road. The second, larger waterfall and pool just upstream are impressively beautiful, and tragically underrated by other guidebooks.
Minuses: Unpredictable flow; also unpredictable visitor count (can be packed or empty, with no rhyme or reason.)
Sound-bite: “This is all I wanted to do in Hawaii.”

DETAILS:
A popular, user-friendly (but frequently under-rated) stop on the Road …

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