Login or Register Here
to remove these ads.
Northeast Maui Region
Location: Northeast Maui
As you take the bridge over Makapipi stream near mile marker 25 on the Hana Highway be sure to stop to check out the falls under the bridge. Here you’ll find Makapipi Falls, one of the most interesting falls on the Hana Highway. The Makapipi Stream flows within the lava streambed into a pristine blue pool. The Hana Highway crosses directly over the stream allowing folks a view of the falls over the bridge railing. The flow of the falls is dependent on rainfall, but if flowing is very intriguing to witness.
To access this spot, park just beyond the bridge where there is a small pull off and walk back onto the bridge to look down on the makai side of the road.
As you take the bridge over Makapipi stream near mile marker 25 on the Hana Highway be sure to stop to check out the falls under the bridge. Here you’ll find Makapipi Falls, one of the most interesting falls on the Hana Highway. The Makapipi Stream flows within the lava streambed into a pristine blue pool. The Hana Highway crosses directly over the stream allowing folks a view of the falls over the bridge railing. The flow of the falls is dependent on rainfall, but if flowing is very intriguing to witness.
To access this spot, park just beyond the bridge where there is a small pull off and walk back onto the bridge to look down on the makai side of the road.
Location: Northeast Maui
Ho‘okipa Beach Park is located right beyond Pa‘ia and Ka‘au town makai (toward the ocean) on the Hana Highway. You’ll pass the steeply graded exit before you pass the entrance, so be looking for the sign marking the spot. There are two very different spots (hangouts) located inside small Ho‘okipa Beach Park: one is an overlook that is almost immediately to your right once you turn into the park, and the other is the road that leads down to Ho‘okipa Beach itself and then back up to the exit you passed prior to turning into the park at the sign.
Ho‘okipa Lookout is a nice spot to get a good view over parts of coastal north west Maui (to your left) and the Pacific Ocean stretching to the north in front of you. It’s also a great place to watch surfers and windsurfers catch the waves below you on Ho‘okipa Beach. World-class windsurfing events are held here annually. After you’re done at the lookout, your best bet is to get back on Highway 36 and continue your journey. You don’t want to waste too much time at this location. Also the beach is a surfer’s hangout, so the crowd is not always as full of “aloha” as people in other parts of Maui. We’ve never had any problems, but there are better beaches on Maui, so why waste your time here?
Ho‘okipa Beach Park is located right beyond Pa‘ia and Ka‘au town makai (toward the ocean) on the Hana Highway. You’ll pass the steeply graded exit before you pass the entrance, so be looking for the sign marking the spot. There are two very different spots (hangouts) located inside small Ho‘okipa Beach Park: one is an overlook that is almost immediately to your right once you turn into the park, and the other is the road that leads down to Ho‘okipa Beach itself and then back up to the exit you passed prior to turning into the park at the sign.
Ho‘okipa Lookout is a nice spot to get a good view over parts of coastal north west Maui (to your left) and the Pacific Ocean stretching to the north in front of you. It’s also a great place to watch surfers and windsurfers catch the waves below you on Ho‘okipa Beach. World-class windsurfing events are held here annually. After you’re done at the lookout, your best bet is to get back on Highway 36 and continue your journey. You don’t want to waste too much time at this location. Also the beach is a surfer’s hangout, so the crowd is not always as full of “aloha” as people in other parts of Maui. We’ve never had any problems, but there are better beaches on Maui, so why waste your time here?
Location: Northeast Maui
If you’ve been looking for a waterfall you can enjoy all to yourself, you might be in luck at this next spot. Punalau Falls’ waters tranquilly slide down the steep slope at the end of the small Punalau Valley. To access the falls, pull off on the far side of the bridge around a quarter of a mile past mile marker 13 on the Hana Highway.
If you head up the Punalau streambed while doing some serious rock skipping, at around 800 or so feet up the valley (it’ll feel like longer than that), you should reach the falls. If you’re lucky, you’ll have the falls all to yourself. The walk up the streambed on the rocks can take anywhere from 10-25 minutes one way. Use caution heading up the streambed, and avoid the spot if the stream is flowing too heavily.
If you’ve been looking for a waterfall you can enjoy all to yourself, you might be in luck at this next spot. Punalau Falls’ waters tranquilly slide down the steep slope at the end of the small Punalau Valley. To access the falls, pull off on the far side of the bridge around a quarter of a mile past mile marker 13 on the Hana Highway.
If you head up the Punalau streambed while doing some serious rock skipping, at around 800 or so feet up the valley (it’ll feel like longer than that), you should reach the falls. If you’re lucky, you’ll have the falls all to yourself. The walk up the streambed on the rocks can take anywhere from 10-25 minutes one way. Use caution heading up the streambed, and avoid the spot if the stream is flowing too heavily.
Location: Northeast Maui
Between mile markers 10-11 along the Hana Highway there are two impressive waterfalls, Upper & Lower Puohokamoa Falls.
Lower Puohokamoa Falls eludes nearly everyone driving the highway due to its ‘hidden’ location. You have to view it before the upper falls, not after like you’d think. The pull out for the overlook is about 8/10 of a mile past mile marker 10 near a telephone poll. Here there is a path leading over alongside a fence that will take you to a small lookout where you’ll be able to see the fall cascading around 160 feet down the green cliff.
Updates
We've been receiving reports from folks that Lower Puohokamoa Falls trail is now closed to the public. Apparently there is a dispute between the state and a private land owner. If you find out otherwise, please let us know.
Between mile markers 10-11 along the Hana Highway there are two impressive waterfalls, Upper & Lower Puohokamoa Falls.
Lower Puohokamoa Falls eludes nearly everyone driving the highway due to its ‘hidden’ location. You have to view it before the upper falls, not after like you’d think. The pull out for the overlook is about 8/10 of a mile past mile marker 10 near a telephone poll. Here there is a path leading over alongside a fence that will take you to a small lookout where you’ll be able to see the fall cascading around 160 feet down the green cliff.
Updates
We've been receiving reports from folks that Lower Puohokamoa Falls trail is now closed to the public. Apparently there is a dispute between the state and a private land owner. If you find out otherwise, please let us know.
Location: Northeast Maui
Located mauka (inland) half-mile past mile marker 11 on the Hana Highway you’ll find Haipua‘ena Falls. There is a short trail on the far side of the bridge that can give you an up close and personal view of the falls and pool.
A larger falls upstream feeds Haipua‘ena but the hike is usually slippery and a risk. On our last visit the lower falls was all that was easily visible. We attempted to get to the upper falls, along with some other folks, and none of us could do it (or were not willing to take the risk up the steep and muddy slope). If you’re a die-hard waterfall fan, this stop might be worth the trouble to get to the falls. If not, keep on driving... there are better things ahead.
Located mauka (inland) half-mile past mile marker 11 on the Hana Highway you’ll find Haipua‘ena Falls. There is a short trail on the far side of the bridge that can give you an up close and personal view of the falls and pool.
A larger falls upstream feeds Haipua‘ena but the hike is usually slippery and a risk. On our last visit the lower falls was all that was easily visible. We attempted to get to the upper falls, along with some other folks, and none of us could do it (or were not willing to take the risk up the steep and muddy slope). If you’re a die-hard waterfall fan, this stop might be worth the trouble to get to the falls. If not, keep on driving... there are better things ahead.
Location: Northeast Maui
Just past mile marker 12 on the Hana Highway you’ll find Kaumahina State Wayside Park. This 7.8 acre forested rest stop offers scenic views of the northeast Maui coastline.
One highlight is a spectacular view of the Ke‘anae Peninsula and village, an upcoming stop. There are also several loop trails that lead uphill from the ocean giving you a chance to view the many exotic plants.
To make this spot even more attractive, in the spring/summer of 2005 it underwent a major renovation project. Expect to spend 15-30 minutes here, possibly longer if you stop for a picnic lunch or to do a bit of bird watching.
Just past mile marker 12 on the Hana Highway you’ll find Kaumahina State Wayside Park. This 7.8 acre forested rest stop offers scenic views of the northeast Maui coastline.
One highlight is a spectacular view of the Ke‘anae Peninsula and village, an upcoming stop. There are also several loop trails that lead uphill from the ocean giving you a chance to view the many exotic plants.
To make this spot even more attractive, in the spring/summer of 2005 it underwent a major renovation project. Expect to spend 15-30 minutes here, possibly longer if you stop for a picnic lunch or to do a bit of bird watching.
Location: Northeast Maui
Around mile marker 17 there is an easy-to-miss pulloff to the makai side of the road (look for the tsunami warning speaker). From this location you can get a really nice view overlooking the Ke'anae Peninsula. The little square patches below are actually taro ponds.
Around mile marker 17 there is an easy-to-miss pulloff to the makai side of the road (look for the tsunami warning speaker). From this location you can get a really nice view overlooking the Ke'anae Peninsula. The little square patches below are actually taro ponds.
Location: Northeast Maui
Immediately after leaving Ke‘anae Arboretum look for and turn onto the road that splits off the Hana Highway makai with a sign labeled “Ke‘anae Peninsula.”
The peninsula is surrounded by dark jagged lava that serves as a vivid reminder of the ancient flows from Haleakala that formed this place. Hala trees along the shore are the only plant that can get a grip on this gnarled coastline. Down the road about 3/4 of a mile there is a large dirt parking lot across from the church and ball field.
Immediately after leaving Ke‘anae Arboretum look for and turn onto the road that splits off the Hana Highway makai with a sign labeled “Ke‘anae Peninsula.”
The peninsula is surrounded by dark jagged lava that serves as a vivid reminder of the ancient flows from Haleakala that formed this place. Hala trees along the shore are the only plant that can get a grip on this gnarled coastline. Down the road about 3/4 of a mile there is a large dirt parking lot across from the church and ball field.
Location: Northeast Maui
This is Hawaii's largest, ancient place of worship that is still intact. The heiau was constructed completely out of lava rock in the 14th century during the reign of the Pi‘ilani Dynasty. The stone platform is the size of two football fields. The area was overgrown until the 1970's which kept the site a secret and therefore in excellent condition.
Take Highway 360 (Hana Highway) east toward Hana. 'Ula'ino Road is off the left near Mile Marker #31. Just after a mile down the road it gives way to broken pavement and the first stream ford. Beyond the ford, to the right, you’ll find the entrance to Kahanu Gardens, an extension of the National Tropical Botanical Garden. If the ford has water flowing through it above the pole-markers, turn around and do not try and cross the stream.
The 122-acre garden is home to a variety of rare native Hawaiian plants and several trees introduced by the Polynesians. The garden also has one of the largest known collections of breadfruit trees. A mile long trail meanders through the garden, allowing visitors to be their own tour guide. Beyond the forest edge you’ll find the impressive and colossal Pi‘ilanihale Heiau. Visitors are not allowed on the heiau, so you’ll have to view it from afar. The coastal views here are beautiful.
The last time we checked, the garden was open Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and free for children. It closes without notice, so don’t be surprised if you find “Closed” signs.
Photo courtesy of Forest and Kim Starr from the USGS.
This is Hawaii's largest, ancient place of worship that is still intact. The heiau was constructed completely out of lava rock in the 14th century during the reign of the Pi‘ilani Dynasty. The stone platform is the size of two football fields. The area was overgrown until the 1970's which kept the site a secret and therefore in excellent condition.
Take Highway 360 (Hana Highway) east toward Hana. 'Ula'ino Road is off the left near Mile Marker #31. Just after a mile down the road it gives way to broken pavement and the first stream ford. Beyond the ford, to the right, you’ll find the entrance to Kahanu Gardens, an extension of the National Tropical Botanical Garden. If the ford has water flowing through it above the pole-markers, turn around and do not try and cross the stream.
The 122-acre garden is home to a variety of rare native Hawaiian plants and several trees introduced by the Polynesians. The garden also has one of the largest known collections of breadfruit trees. A mile long trail meanders through the garden, allowing visitors to be their own tour guide. Beyond the forest edge you’ll find the impressive and colossal Pi‘ilanihale Heiau. Visitors are not allowed on the heiau, so you’ll have to view it from afar. The coastal views here are beautiful.
The last time we checked, the garden was open Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and free for children. It closes without notice, so don’t be surprised if you find “Closed” signs.
Photo courtesy of Forest and Kim Starr from the USGS.
Location: Northeast Maui
The Kahanu Garden is located on 'Ula‘ino Road, are about a half-mile beyond mile marker 31 makai on the Hana Highway. Just after a mile, the road gives way to broken pavement and the first stream ford. Beyond the ford, to the right, you’ll find the entrance to Kahanu Garden, an extension of the National Tropical Botanical Garden. If the ford has water flowing through it above the poll-markers, turn around and do not try and cross the stream.
The 122-acre garden is comprised of a variety of rare native Hawaiian plants and several trees introduced by the Polynesians. The garden also has one of the largest known collections of breadfruit trees. A mile long trail meanders through the garden allowing visitors to be their own tour guide. Beyond the forest edge you’ll find the impressive and colossal Pi‘ilanihale Heiau.
The Kahanu Garden is located on 'Ula‘ino Road, are about a half-mile beyond mile marker 31 makai on the Hana Highway. Just after a mile, the road gives way to broken pavement and the first stream ford. Beyond the ford, to the right, you’ll find the entrance to Kahanu Garden, an extension of the National Tropical Botanical Garden. If the ford has water flowing through it above the poll-markers, turn around and do not try and cross the stream.
The 122-acre garden is comprised of a variety of rare native Hawaiian plants and several trees introduced by the Polynesians. The garden also has one of the largest known collections of breadfruit trees. A mile long trail meanders through the garden allowing visitors to be their own tour guide. Beyond the forest edge you’ll find the impressive and colossal Pi‘ilanihale Heiau.
Login or Register Here
to remove these ads.
76°F
