Other Hana Highway Waterfalls

Most of the waterfalls on this page we considered minor given their current behavior. However, it's conceivable that in their past life, they flowed more reliably before the advent of irrigation ditches siphoning water towards Central Maui to feed thirsty sugar cane crops. These ditches tend to divert water higher up the slopes of Haleakala and thereby rob the native streams further down the slope of their water. And even some of the "major" waterfalls not on this page could be categorized as such as well (since they too aren't immune from irrigation ditches taking water from the watercourse and consequently the falls).

Below are some photographs of the waterfalls along with brief descriptions and directions.

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This waterfall on the Waikamoi Stream flows only during heavy rain. At that point, this one's easy to spot. I tried to get closer to the falls for a better look, but there's too much growth and the scrambling got more difficult the further in I went. Look for pullouts on both sides of the road, just before the Waikamoi Stream Bridge at the 10-mile post.

This is the lower Waikamoi Falls a day after rain. There's a pullout by the Waikamoi Stream bridge where we were able to briefly walk to see this.

This tiny waterfall is Haipuaena Falls (Ha'ipua'ena Falls) just a short walk (less than 5 minutes) from the bridge over the Ha'ipua-ena Stream(there's a pullout here with parking for 1-2 cars) about 0.5 miles past the 11-mile post.

Ching's Pond or Sapphire Pool is a popular swimming hole, but the Keanae Taro Farmers have posted a No Trespassing sign to protect their taro fields. Look for a large pullout next to private Pi'inau Road on the mauka side of the Ke’anae Stream bridge, about 0.8 miles past the 16-mile post.

From the pullout walk about 30ft past the Pa'ia side of the bridge, where you will encounter a fairly easy downhill path passing a very large tree with a "No Trespassing" sign. Just a few paces down this path is Ching's Pond.

This cascade is usually an indicator as to whether you should bother looking for the 150ft Wailuaiki Falls (or Wailua Iki Falls) just on the other side (downstream) from the bridge. This is viewable from the bridge about 0.9 miles past the 20-mile post.

This is Lower Wailuaiki Falls (or Lower Wailua Iki Falls) on the Wailuaiki Stream below the Hana Highway. You can walk from the Wailua Iki Stream bridge by walking cautiously uphill (towards Hana) along the road to view the falls. Another way to see it is to drive past the bridge towards a second pullout, then walk downhill (towards Pa’ia) to view the falls.

Kopiliula Falls is visible from the road but accessing it is nontrivial due to the EMI (East Maui Irrigation) infrastructure built around the bridge by its stream. There are pullouts on both sides of the road as you approach the bridge, 0.9 miles past the 21-mile post

This attractive pair of twin waterfalls appears to only flow during heavy rain. It's on the Kapaula Stream and there's a pullout just past the Kapa'ula Stream bridge, next to a private 4wd road, about 0.6 miles past the 23-mile post. Once you've pulled out, you can walk towards the bridge for a look.

Hanawi Falls is a roadside waterfall that can be quite impressive when it's raining hard - as in this photo. There are pullouts near the 24-mile post on both sides of the road and both ends of the Hanawi Stream bridge.

Note there's a Lower Hanawi Falls, which is said to flow reliably because its stream was untouched by irrigation ditches (its watercourse flows through springs). However, it requires a hike somewhere off the Nahiku Road and I understand that it goes through EMI land. From what I know, they haven't granted permission to access it (though some people have tried and made it).

Makapipi Falls is a also roadside waterfall close to a bridge. Unfortunately, I was only able to get a top down view of it (couldn't find a way to get in front of it). Look for it near the Nahiku Road turnoff at the milepost 25.

This relatively hidden falls has a calm pool perfect for looking down the coastline towards the Keanae Peninsula. It's at the end of the Nahiku Road (about 2.5 miles from Hana Highway). The Nahiku Road turnoff is at the 25 milepost past the Makapipi Falls bridge.

If you're not flying a helicopter of boating the rough seas, then this is probably the only view you get of Waiokilo Falls. Clearly a telephoto lens is necessary to bring it closer though. This view is from the lookout area (I think it's called Nahiku Landing) at the end of Nahiku Road.

Also near Nahiku is this little spot called the Nahiku Pond, which has its own little seasonal waterfall. About 150ft uphill from where the Nahiku Road guard rail ends is an overgrown path. The path, which is beside a tree on the left (west) side of Nahiku Road, descends to this waterfall and pool.

The Maui Revealed book dubs this as the "Photo-sized Falls" (a lame name), but it's really on the Hahalawe Stream. Getting this view of the falls requires a steep scramble from a pullout (not far before the Paihia Falls bridge) near the 43-mile post, just past the Hahalawe Gulch bridge. The pullout is about 0.9 miles past the 44-mile post.

From the pullout, a steep primitive path goes underneath the road to the base of the falls..

Paihi Falls is easy to spot. It tumbles right besides the road as you're heading towards Wailua Falls. If it has been raining, then the falls flows well. Otherwise, it trickles or goes completely dry. A wide angle lens might be helpful to get all of the falls as it tumbles very close to the road. You can see it from the mauka side of the Paihi Falls Bridge, just before the 45-mile post. But the only safe place to park is the Wailua Falls car park, another third of a mile further along Hwy 31.

I noticed this waterfall (Puaa-luu Falls or Pua'a-lu'u Falls) while driving between mile markers 43 and 42 (there might be a pullout near the white bridge I think). Just beyond the bridge, there's a roadside cliff and alcove on the mauka side containing a shrine.

When you continue past Ohe'o Gulch and the road begins to become single lane and unpaved, you'll have to look behind you when it's raining to notice Kukuiula Falls (Kukui'ula Falls). When it flows, it's quite a treat because it flows directly into the turbulent ocean. I believe this one only flows if it's raining as I had also seen it disappear two dry days after heavy rain.

West of Kipahulu, Hwy 31 changes its name from Hana Highway to Pi'ilani Highway. Pi'ilani Hwy narrows into a cliff-hugging, single-lane gravel road, and descends precariously towards sea level. About 0.6 miles past the 40-mile post, there is a small pullout with coast access and vistas (towards Hana) of the Kipahulu Coastline and the falls.

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TRIP REPORTS

• September 1, 2003
• September 3, 2003
• February 23, 2007
• February 24, 2007

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NEARBY WATERFALLS

• There are way too many to single out

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