In the Kipahulu area of Haleakala National Park are a series of pools and waterfalls set amidst the verdant and tropical setting including a bamboo forest. This is a wonderful place to enjoy a moderately difficult yet adventurous hike as well as a swim in the cool mountain stream water.
This area has long known as the Seven Sacred Pools although that name is frowned upon since it was an invention of guidebooks and does not refer to any actual Hawaiian sacred status for these pools. Instead the favored name is Pools of Oheo.
Oheo Gulch is located along the eastern Maui coastline just beyond Hana town on the lower slopes of Haleakala Volcano. The park’s Pipiwai Trail leads along the stream past Makahiku Falls and through the bamboo forest to the 400-foot Waimoku Falls.
Wear sturdy shoes on the Pipiwai Trail as it can get very muddy. Avoid this trail during times of rain due to the potential of flash floods.
Oheo Gulch is located on the Hana Highway (Hwy. 31) about 15 minutes drive south of Hana town.
The parking lot is located just past Mile Marker 42.