The Kīpahulu District of Haleakalā National Park is located on the south east coast of Maui and is part of the larger national park that includes the summit area of Mt. Haleakalā. The only access to this side of the park is via Hana Highway, which is a narrow winding road that continues past the town of Hana. We arrived to the park early in the morning to hike up the Pipiwai Trail before the crowds. The trail ends at the Waimaku Falls and the best part is walking through the shade of the bamboo forrest. Depending on the water level and condition of the rocks, you can get pretty close to the waterfall. The total length of the hike from the visitor center and back is about 4 miles and an elevation gain of about 900 ft. Make sure to pack some good shoes since the trail might be slippery if it has just rained. Returning back to the visitor center, there is a smaller trail out to the Ohe'o Gulch which you can swim in if there is enough water in the pool and/or it isn't raining hard.
