Hawaii (State of) Off the Beaten Path Tips by deecat

Sixth of Seven Sacred Pools

For a beautiful and picturesque setting, be sure to see the Seven Sacred Pools at 'Ohe'o Gulch in Southeast Maui. It's about 40 minutes beyond Hana. There are really more than seven pools, and locals say that there is nothing sacred about them.

Once you reach Kipahulu, you will be within walking distance of Haleakala National Park and the Oheo Gulch (7 Sacred Pools.) The pools include a series of waterfalls and tranquil pools which flow through the O'heo Gulch going into the ocean which is nearby.

Starting two miles inland, the Pipiwai Streams feed these falls and pools. The nicest pools are located near the shoreline.

This land was donated to the Haleakala National Park system; therefore, the pools will forever to open to the public.

The area includes:
1. Cliff jumping
2. hiking (Hikers say that Pipiwai Trail, above the Seven Sacred Pools, is one of the best hikes on Maui) It takes 2 1/2-5 hours
3. historical sites
4. pool swimming
5. nature watching

It's better to go during the week because the weekends are so crowded. Either way, be sure to arrive early. The Pipiwai Trail includes INFINITY POOL with its row of thick rocks that keep people from plunging over the 200-foot waterfall. There are also several more great waterfalls along the hike route, with the final destination being Waimoku Falls, falling 400-feet down a sheer lava rock wall!

The area has portable toilets, concession on weekends, picturesque setting, numerous pools and waterfalls, and a large, gravel parking lot.

Warnings:
No lifeguards
Bring water
Lava rock is quite slippery when wet so wear beach shoes
Flash flooding is possible
Hidden rocks in pools so use extreme caution before jumping into pools!

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Other Contact: Highway 31, Southeast Maui

Off The Beaten Path: Gigantic Wind Chimes: The Bamboo Forest

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Updated by deecat

on Jun 4, 2005

Dee at Entrance of Bamboo Forest

The other side of Maui has a real pristine environment without any congestion or noise. It has stayed this way because of the dangerous 2-lane road leading to Hana. That road remains as it is to keep the pristine environment secure!

Once you reach Kipahulu and see the Seven Sacred Pools, take the four-mile hike along a jungle trail through what is called an enchanted BAMBOO FOREST. This area is made up of thousands of bamboo poles which make a "gigantic bamboo wind chime"!

Allan and I took this walk and loved this experience. It seemed almost spiritual in nature.

Still, to this day, we talk about that experience and how personally rewarding it was for both of us.

Allan took the photograph of me just as I was about to enter the Bamboo Forest.

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Off The Beaten Path: Black Sand Beaches are Rare on Maui

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Updated by deecat

on Jun 4, 2005

Black Sand Beach

There are only a few beaches on Maui that contain black sand. Black sand is formed as the lava from an active volcano flows into the ocean; the lava is shattered into glassy fragments by rapid cooling. Then, these fragments drift alongshore, being deposited to form black sand beaches.

Since there has not been a lava flow entering the ocean along the Hana coastline for at least 200 years, no new black sand beaches have formed. This black sand would be derived by the wave erosion of the existing black lava rock.

Hamoa Beach is a black sand beach. It is interesting to note that one night a week a down-home style luau is held beside the black sands of Hamoa Beach. It is celebrated with traditional food cooked in the imu (earthen oven), Polynesian music and hula. I was told that some people arrive on horseback. We did not see this Luau but would have liked to very much.

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Off The Beaten Path: Waianapanapa: A Maui Black Sand Beach

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Updated by deecat

on Jun 4, 2005

Underwater Cave for Swimming

One of the highlights to our visit to Maui wascave swimming on the black sand beach at Wai'anapanapa State Park.

Waianapanapa (in a Hawaiian translation) means "Glistening Water." Allan is really great about finding interesting and fun "out-of-the-way" places. He told me about this park, and, at first, I was reluctant. The thought of swimming in an undergroud cave frightened me since I'm not that great of a swimmer. I'm glad he talked me into it.

The park is 120 acres which has been preserved by the State of Hawaii for camping, hiking, picnicking, and swimming. The Park claims that Waianapanapa has Maui's largest Black Sand Beach. There is also a wet lava tube cave to swim into.

While in the cave, I took this photograph into the opening/closing. I think it is unique.
And, by the way, I had a blast. I guess I have a adventurous spirit after all!

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Off The Beaten Path: Relaxing Afternoon? Go to IAO Valley State Park

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Updated by deecat

on Jun 4, 2005

Allan at IAO "Eye of the Needle"