The falls seemed to be typically light flowing. That's because we happened to see the falls in its lighter flowing state just two days after a rain storm from the remnants of a hurricane.

We were able to walk to the falls after parking in someone's yard who had converted it into a car park for a nominal fee. From there, we walked to the end of the road, then along the rocks on the stream banks of an inlet before crossing over the stream where more whiter rocks were separating the inlet from the crashing waves. If the stream is swollen or if the waves were really raging, this part would be dangerous.

The scramble then persisted along the loose white rocks for another few minutes before we were right in front of the falls and the pool. Turn to the left and there was the nice swimming hole with 100ft (maybe) waterfall. Turn around to the right and there was the crashing surf (where every once in a while a rogue wave might get us wet; though hopefully not pluck us back into the tiger shark-infested waters).

Now in recent memory (seemed like since 2007), the Blue Pool had become a very controversial place. Basically, there were locals who were unhappy with the amount of visitation (including the accompanying litter, noise, traffic, etc.) and became vigilant about preventing new visitors from coming in.

This is where things get dicey (both legally and from a safety standpoint).

Apparently, the falls is on public land because by Hawaiian law (PASH or Public Access Shoreline Hawaii), no one can own the beaches and shores nor prevent access to them. The intent of the law was to prevent a resort from taking a chunk of shoreline (like a beach) hostage and making it exclusive.

Unfortunately in the case of the Blue Pool, access to the shoreline requires getting through driveways that are privately owned. These residences were not equipped to handle a major tourist attraction (though some of them were offering their front yards as car parks for a fee).

So given the current contentious state of affairs, this place is now in a situation where only a priviledged few can visit the waterfall (violating PASH), and you can pretty much consider this attraction kapu (forbidden) and expect resistance if you get there.

While I can sympathize with the locals unhappy with the popularity of the falls, I personally think they should either run a paying tour or hire staff to run one where the proceeds go towards the workers as well as the residents for their trouble. I could even see a tie-in with the Kahanu Garden (roughly half-way between Hana Hwy and the end of the 'Ula'ino Rd; possibly an opportunity to teach visitors about the area) where maybe parking could be there while only staff can shuttle visitors to and from the Blue Pool. There has been precedence with other Hawaiian waterfalls requiring paid tours. So why not this one?

Perhaps that would then return this part of East Maui into a more welcoming place instead of something that's quite the opposite. And do this while still addressing the issues that concern both locals and tourists (as well as law enforcement and government) alike. Of course, this is just a suggestion, and it's up to the residents there to decide how they want to deal with it.