You don’t have to go far to find beautiful scenery on Hawaii’s
second-largest island. The Pools of ‘Ohe’o popularly called the “Seven
Sacred Pools” are the most popular attraction in East Maui. Beautiful
waterfalls, pools, in an absolutely stunning setting. The Seven Sacred
Pools comprised of over a dozen small freshwater pools that have grown
along the banks of a mountain stream, Palikea.
Seven Sacred Pools and waterfalls is absolutely spectacular! ‘Ohe’o
Gulch is a string of pools and waterfalls, starting many miles up the
mountain, that flow one after another, cascading over dramatic
waterfalls, leading to the rugged Kipahulu coastline and the deep-blue
Hawaiian ocean.
The pools are very popular, so you should expect the place to become
more and more crowded as the day progresses. The most accessible pools
are also the most particularly suited for swimming, cliff-jumping. For
the sane, there are also several less suicidal places to jump from –
just be sure to get good information on where it is safe to jump, or
better yet, survey the landing area yourself. There are many reminders
of the risk involved, including a notice-board by the ranger station
that contains clippings of newspaper articles describing accidents.
The pools can be closed to swimming for either excessive water flow or
stagnant water depending on the rainfall in the forest. If you happen
to be in the pools, and the water starts to rise, get to higher ground
immediately. It’s rare, but rains in the mountains above can cause a
flash flood in the pools.
The Pipiwai Trail begins from the park entrance at Ohe`o Gulch and is a
1.8 mile hike from there to Waimoku Falls. The hike can be slippery,
and muddy in parts, but it is well worth the 800′ climb. Several
waterfalls can be seen along the trail, and the bamboo forest is a site
to behold all on it’s own.
There are full National Park facilities at ‘Ohe’o, including a Ranger
Station, newly constructed bathrooms, expanded camping facilities and
large parking lots. The nearest parking is the large lot at Mile Marker
#42. There is never a charge to enter the park, and it is open all the
live-long day.
