Waterfalls of Hawaii - Waimoku Falls; Maui, Hana Rd, Kipahulu

Waimoku Falls is easily the best waterfall we saw on Maui. It is a towering 400 ft. high waterfall, and the trail leads right up to the base of the falls. It is a very refreshing experience, especially if there is no one else at the falls (not likely though, unless you are an early bird).

It is about a 1.6 mile hike on the Pipiwai Trail from the parking area at Haleakala National Park up to Waimoku Falls. The trail is commonly indicated as being a full 2 miles to the waterfall, but my GPS told me it was only 1.6 miles. The trail begins across the Hana Hwy from the parking area, and passes the lookout point for Makahiku Falls. At about 0.9 miles, the trail crosses on a couple bridges over Palikea Stream and Pipiwai Stream. Then it continues through the very interesting bamboo forest, which is a bit creepy if it is dark. Finally, at the 1.6 mile point you will reach the towering waterfall. You will need to cross a couple streams, which you should be able to rock hop across. A warning sign indicates you should not proceed too close to Waimoku Falls, for fear of falling rocks, a common occurrence here. You will need a very wide angle lens to get the entire waterfall in your photo. At 400 ft. high, it is a very tall waterfall, and you are up very close to it. This makes Waimoku Falls an unforgettable experience, definitely one of the highlights for myself on Maui.

On an interesting note, when I started my hike up to Waimoku Falls in the early morning, it was a rather sunny day with no clouds in the sky. I got up to the falls and started taking my photos. Then the clouds rolled in, all of a sudden, and it started to downpour. I was totally unprepared, without a jacket or anything. I shoved my camera equipment back in the bag and retreated into the forest and under trees to wait out the rain. Then I realized I had left my GPS back at the falls in my haste. So I waited about 20 minutes or so, then went back to Waimoku Falls. By that time the rain had stopped, so I took a few more pictures before going back down the trail.

The Haleakala National Park and 'Ohe'o Gulch is obviously an extremely popular tourist area. There will be a lot of other people on the trail. However, if you are able to get here first thing in the morning, there will not be anyone else around, and the trail up to Waimoku Falls is very pleasant and rewarding.

7 Miles SSW Hana HI (Elev. 600 ft)

Tonight
Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Breezy, with a northeast wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tuesday
Showers likely, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Breezy, with a northeast wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night
Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Breezy, with a northeast wind 15 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Wednesday
Showers likely, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Breezy, with an east wind around 22 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night
Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Breezy, with an east wind 18 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Thursday
Showers likely, mainly before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Breezy, with an east wind 18 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Thursday Night
Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Breezy, with an east wind 14 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday
Showers likely, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Breezy, with an east wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night
Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Breezy, with an east wind 16 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday
Showers likely, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Breezy, with an east wind 16 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night
Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Breezy, with an east wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday
Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Breezy, with an east wind 17 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night
Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Breezy, with an east wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.