The Road to Hana pt. 3: Hiking Pipiwai Trail

In the Kipahulu area of Haleakalā National Park, Pipiwai Trail climbs 650 ft. over 2 miles through bamboo forests to Waimoku Falls. Hiking through a bamboo forest is like hiking through a fantasy landscape. On parts of the trail, the pungent aroma of fermenting berries is overwhelming. Other parts of the trail drop 100's of feet into a steep ravine mere yards away, concealed by the dense undergrowth. Bamboo, called 'Ohe by the native Hawaiians, was reportedly one of the original plants brought by canoe when Polynesians first settled the Hawaiian islands. Now thick bamboo forests cover much of the Hawaiian geography.


At the end of the trail Waimoku Falls cascades 400 ft. During heavy rainfall, the falls purportedly swells to large proportions, but since we visited during a dry spell, the pool at the base of the falls was little more than ankle deep. While Waimoku is an impressive site nonetheless, it's also overrun with polo-shirt wearing tourists.


A little exploring, however reveals a hidden, unnamed waterfall nearby. Hiking the ravine to this waterfall is reminiscent of entering Jurassic Park (which was partially filmed on Kaua'i). At the falls, a deep pool fills the base. We swam behind the waterfall and enjoyed a nice, cool, Maui Brewing Company CoCoNut Porter.

The Road to Hana pt. 2: Cliff Jumping

It's not for everyone. Leaping over a precipice, freefalling for several seconds, then crashing deep into the water. If cliff jumping is your thing, however, there's no shortage of places to jump off of in east Maui.

Red Sand Cove
As Adam swam to shore after his leap, the Hawaiian Monk Seal which had been resting on the beach chose that same moment to swim back to sea, unbeknownst to him at the time. They passed within 10 ft. of each other. Waimoku Falls
Scott took a 50 ft. plunge into a pool on the way up to the waterfall.


Venus Pool
The 20 ft. jump from the island was nothing after the initial 40 ft. jump into the pool. Charlie dove in with his fractured scaphoid. Notice the orange cast.




The world record for cliff jumping is 172 ft. The maximum safe distance is about 100 ft. As they say, the only way to go is up.