Published Nov 8, 2024

Skip the Crowds: Explore Hawaii’s 5 Quietest Trails and Parks This Month

From secluded forest trails to historic coastal paths, these hidden gems offer a serene escape into Hawaii’s lush landscapes and unique history.

Published Nov 8, 2024

Written by

Megan McDonald

Nature|Hiking

Published Oct 31, 2024

The Drive to This Hawaii National Park Unit Is Almost as Beautiful as the Park Itself

The Kipahulu District of Maui's Haleakala National Park is wild, beautiful, and remote - but the drive to get there is jaw dropping

Published Oct 31, 2024

Written by

Trent Jonas

When folks think about Haleakala National Park in Hawaii, the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets visible from the Maui volcano's summit may be the first images that spring to mind. And don't get me wrong - I love the views from the Summit District as much as the next guy. But there's something magical about the park's other side, the Kipahulu District, as well - so magical, in fact, that it drew me (and quite a few other visitors) down a narrow, pitted road beyond Hana on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

For most visitors to Maui, myself included, a visit to the Kipahulu District is usually an extension of a drive down the Hana Highway (the "Road to Hana"). Although the park is a little less than 10 miles beyond Hana, you should plan on a half-hour trip each way due to road conditions. That's about how long it took me, without stops, on my most recent visit. But you may want to take a little more time, dig your toes into the sand at Hamoa Beach, or enjoy the spray from 80-foot Wailua Falls on your face.

The Kipahulu District visitor center is a small outpost, but it's packed with information about Hawaiian culture and the area's natural history. I really enjoyed the replica meeting house located along the trail to Oheo Gulch.

The Kipahulu Unit is probably best know for the Seven Pools of Oheo, a tumbling set of pools and small waterfalls along Oheo Gulch that lead into the sea.

Due to the dangers posed by rogue waves and flash flooding, as well as the degradation of the water and stream banks from too much traffic, the pools are now closed to swimming and wading. There is a lovely, paved trail, however, that will take you along the gulch and afford some fantastic views of Oheo Gulch and the pools. It was raining when I was there - to be expected on this side of the island - but the walk was still beautiful.

Because the rain got a little heavier, I did not hike the Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls on this visit, but it's definitely something that should be on your to-do list. It's moderately challenging due to the elevation (pretty much all uphill on the way to the falls) but it's stunning. The trail offers wonderful views of the stream and Haleakala, passing through a bamboo forest on the way to the falls. Cell service is not guaranteed on this part of the island, so use AllTrails Plus to download the maps for the Kipahulu District and preview the hike before you head out on the 3.4-mile, out and back trip.

It may take a little longer to get to Haleakala National Park's Kipahulu District than it does to reach most other parts of Maui, but the drive is stunning and so is this part of the park. On my most recent visit, I was reluctant to leave when I had to head back to my Paia vacation rental. On a previous visit, my traveling companion and I stayed at the wonderful Hana-Maui Resort, which is only 10 miles (30 to 45 minutes) away from the Kipahulu District in the village of Hana. Keep in mind that you do need to pay a fee to enter the park. A standard vehicle pass is $30 and is valid for entry at both Kipahulu and Summit districts for three days. Park entry without a vehicle - hikers or cyclists - is $15 per person. America the Beautiful and other passes are also valid for entry at the Kipahulu District. As an aside, if I know or suspect that I'll be traveling to more than one National Park Service or Bureau of Land Management (like Red Rocks Canyon in Nevada) unit in a year, I get the annual America the Beautiful pass, because those day-use fees add up quickly.

Nature|Beaches, Lakes & Rivers

Published Oct 24, 2024

Explore One of Hawaii’s Highest-Altitude, Cleanest Lakes at Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve

Lake Waiau on Hawai'i is steeped in history and cultural meaning, making it a uniquely meaningful outdoor destination.

Published Oct 24, 2024

Written by

Andrea Verschuyl

It's hard to imagine becoming tired of Hawai'i's sprawling beaches or verdant forests. Our state's abundant natural beauty would take a lifetime to explore. However, if you're in the mood for something truly different, I recommend visiting the other-worldly Lake Waiau. Tucked in the breathtaking Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve, this spectacular destination is one of the highest-altitude lakes in the United States.

Soaring at 13,020 feet above sea level on rugged Mauna Kea, Waiau is an unlikely blip in an otherwise arid — almost Martian — landscape. Stretching just 300 feet across the Pu'u Waiau cinder cone, it isn't very wide, but that doesn't make this unique lake any less significant. For all its lush forests, Hawai'i has very few lakes. Following the lower Puna eruption of Kīlauea in 2018, which evaporated Ka Wai o Pele, and barring the brief lake that appeared on the Halema'uma'u crater in 2020, Lake Waiau is the sole lake on the island of Hawai'i.

Lake Waiau is a place of spiritual significance for the Kanaka Maoli peoples. Before colonization and after the formation of the Hawai'ian kingdom, few individuals were granted access to Mauna Kea. The privilege to visit the mountain's sacred sites was reserved for religious leaders, chieftains, and royalty. The last royal known to have trekked to Waiau was Queen Emma in 1881. It's recorded that she bathed in the lake during her stay.

Waiau's other rumored visitors were even more elite. Several snow deities, including Lilinoe and Poliʻahu, were said to have used the lake for bathing. Most significant was Waiau, a snow maiden of Mauna Kea, for whom the lake likely got its name. It means "swirling water" in the Hawai'ian language.

Given this rich cultural importance, it's crucial that non-Indigenous visitors be mindful of the lake's history during their visit. As always, follow the outdoorsmen's credo to "leave no trace" and respect the trail's rules against bringing dogs along.

Clocking in at just over a mile long, the hike to Lake Waiau is relatively easy, though the high altitude may prove challenging to unconditioned adventurers. Given the rugged terrain and occasional snow, I recommend bringing reliable hiking gear to this route along with something to eat on the waterfront. Whether you believe in the ancient stories or not, it's easy to see why this small lake would inspire feelings of mysticism. It sits like a still mirror of the sky, surrounded by jagged rock formations, a breathtaking spot that instills an atmosphere of total reverence.

There are endless stunning spots to hike in Hawai'i, but if you're looking for something truly different, check out the trail to Lake Waiau. Not only is this one of the island's only lakes, but it's also one of the island's most high-altitude. Waiau is steeped in history and cultural meaning, making it a uniquely meaningful outdoor destination.

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