Haleakalā National Park guide · 1 min read
Kīpahulu's Pools at ʻOheʻo and Waterfall Hikes
The Pools of ʻOheʻo fill ʻOheʻo Gulch, where over two dozen pools line Palikea Stream. The pools hold rare native freshwater fish, and the stream also supports freshwater shrimp and rock-climbing goby, which are fun to look for as you walk.
The National Park Service does not allow swimming in the pools or entering them because of safety concerns. You can still see the pools safely from the Kūloa Point Trail.
Flash floods are a serious danger along this stream. A downpour on the higher slopes can set them off, and the water can rise by up to four feet in just minutes. Past floods here have hurt and even killed visitors, so treat the stream with real caution. Staying safe is up to you, so take every posted sign seriously and pay attention to any warnings you come across.
The Kūloa Point Trail is a half-mile walk that starts at the Kīpahulu Visitor Center. It passes a Hawaiian cultural demonstration area on the way to a bluff, where the view takes in the mouth of ʻOheʻo Gulch. Because the pools can be seen from here without entering them, it is a good first stop for getting to know the gulch.
For a longer outing, the Pīpīwai Trail covers about four miles round trip and climbs roughly 800 feet. Boardwalks and footbridges carry you over the water as the route follows a stream through woodland.
Two waterfalls give this hike its highlights. Makahiku Overlook offers an early view of Makahiku Falls, roughly half a mile in. About a mile in, bamboo stands crowd the path. The route ends at the Waimoku Falls viewing area, two miles from the start, where the 400-foot waterfall comes into view.
