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)

Today
Scattered showers, mainly before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Breezy, with an east wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tonight
Scattered showers, mainly after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Breezy, with an east wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Saturday
Scattered showers, mainly before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. East wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday Night
Scattered showers, mainly after 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. East southeast wind 9 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday
Scattered showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. East wind 9 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Sunday Night
Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. East southeast wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday
Scattered showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. East southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Monday Night
Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. East southeast wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Tuesday
Showers likely, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. East wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night
Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. East wind 10 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday
Showers likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Breezy, with an east wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night
Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Breezy, with an east wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday
Showers likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Breezy, with an east wind 15 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.