The road to Hana is a long windy road that has many hairpin turns and one lane bridges but nonetheless is well worth the drive. There are many places to stop and view waterfalls, beautiful horticultural gardens and the beauty that mother nature provided. The most famous destination on this road is the, "Seven Pools" which is about 20 minutes past Hana the town. Many people view the pools and turn around but I think the best part of the seven pools is the hike up to Waimoku Falls, a 400 foot water fall. The trail is located across from the dirt parking lot and is approximately 3-4 miles each way. It is a must do in my opinion.
If you are not sure about doing the drive there are some tour guide companies that will provide a air conditioned van, food and a very informative narration of the many sights along the way. I've never been on one of these tours but I have been told that Ekahi Tours is a good one.
If your not up to a full day of driving the road to Hana and back, there is an alternative. There are many helicopter companies that will take you to see some of the most spectacular waterfalls and terrain on maui. Many of these companies offer a trip with a landing at a remote waterfall site with fresh Hawaiian fruit and Champayne served by the crew. Quite a trip. They say that only 10% of maui is accessable by vehicle, that leaves a lot to see. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters provided a great trip. Our pilot was very personable and knowledgable of hawaii and the history. Oh, and if you think these helicopters are loud or rough riding, think again. The ride was extremely smooth and comfortable.
Wainapanapa is a unique place to check out. The black sand beach has been made over many years by the waves crashing into the lava rock stone and washing them back out contiuously. The result is black sand and pebbles. If you put your head underwater, you can here the rocks reseding with the water. It is an awesome sound. The current here is very strong and other than this beach, there is no where to get out. The rest of the cove is all lava rock. The road to Wainapanapa is not marked very well so just be on the lookout for it.
Oheo Gulch, more commenly known as the seven pools is the final destination for most tourists driving the road to Hana. It is a fun place to enjoy the beauty mother nature created, and to GO JUMPING OFF ROCKS! The pool beneath the first waterfall is about 45 feet deep and if you hike under the bridge you can get to a great spot to jump from about 70-75 feet. The second pool is not as deep but I have never hit bottom.
The pools provide a great place to relax and swim around. If your like my friends and I, you have to go a little extreme here because there is no other place like this on earth. Before you go jumping at the bottom 2 pools, (which these are) go explore the rest. They don't call it seven pools for nothing. The other pools are not as big but are definately not as crowded. If you hike up stream you will make it to another large pool that rarely has anyone there, mainly due to the fact that you literally have to hike through the stream for a little while to get there. It is however rewarding to find yourself alone in such a beautiful and peaceful setting.
As I mentioned before the hike to Waimoku Falls is my favorite. Along the way you will pass numerous waterfalls, passion fruit trees and the bamboo forest. There is a trail that leads through the forest and the swinging of the bamboo in the trade winds creates a indescribable sound. The bamboo is so dense that if you were to go in about 30 feet, I doubt you would be able to see any daylight. When you come out of the bamboo you will see Waimoku falls in the distance. Follow the trail to the spectacular 400 foot waterfall.
It is a great place to bring a lunch, cool off and relax. The waterfall is usually running pretty light, if by chance it is flowing good, I would say that your probably being rained on or about to be. If this is the case you will have a great hike back, the trail turns into a great mud playground. By the time you reach the end you will be ready to go jump in at the bottom two pools again just to get cleaned off.
Overall, Hana and the seven pools is in my opinion the most beautiful place on Maui, possibly on earth. I can talk it up all day but my descriptions can't compare to the experience. Here are some more photos taken on our last trip and some when I lived there. Click on the icon for a larger view.
