Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [320]
Waikamoi Trail & Waterfalls
Put on your walking shoes for a stroll beneath majestic trees along the 30-minute Waikamoi Nature Trail. Look for the signposted trailhead at the wide dirt pull-off 0.5 miles past the 9-mile marker. At the start of this 0.8-mile trail you’re welcomed by a sign that reads ‘Quiet. Trees at Work’ and a strand of reddish Eucalyptus robusta, one of several types of towering eucalyptus trees that grow along the path. On the ridge at the top of the loop, you’ll be rewarded with fine views of the winding Hana Hwy.
Waikamoi Falls is at the bridge just before the 10-mile marker, but unless it’s been raining recently don’t worry about missing this one. EMI diverts water from the stream, and as a result the falls is usually just a trickle. Past Waikamoi, bamboo grows almost horizontally out from the cliffs, creating a canopy effect over the road.
Immediately following the 11-mile marker you’ll pass Puohokamoa Falls, another zenlike waterfall. This one doesn’t have any public access, but you can get a view of it right from the bridge.
If you’re ready for a dip, Haipua′ena Falls, 0.5 miles after the 11-mile marker, has a gentle waterfall with a perfect little pool deep enough for swimming. Most people don’t know this one’s here, as you can’t see the pool from the road. There’s space for a couple of cars on the Hana side of the bridge. To reach the falls, just walk 100yd upstream.
Clean rest rooms, much appreciated right about now, and a grassy lawn with picnic tables make Kaumahina State Wayside Park one family-friendly stop. The park comes up 0.2 miles after the 12-mile marker. Be sure to take the short walk up the hill past the rest rooms for an eye-popping view of the coastal scenery that awaits to the south.
For the next several miles, the scenery is absolutely stunning, opening up to a new vista as you round each bend. If it’s been raining recently, you can expect to see waterfalls galore crashing down the mountains.
Honomanu Bay
You’ll get your first view of this striking stream-fed bay from the roadside pull-off at the 13-mile marker.
Honomanu Bay’s rocky black-sand beach is favored by surfers and fishers. The water’s usually too turbulent for swimming, but on very calm days it’s possible to snorkel. Keep those rips in mind before you kick out. Honomanu Stream forms a little pool just inland of the beach that’s good for splashing around and on weekends local families take the young ’uns here to wade in its shallow water.
For those with a standard rental car, the best way to get to Honomanu Bay is to park at the turnoff 0.5 miles past the 13-mile marker and make a five-minute walk along the rutted access road. The road deposits you on the north side of the stream, but unless the water is high you can wade across to the rock-strewn beach.
Kalaloa Point
For a fascinating view of the coast stop at the wide pull-off on the ocean side of the highway 0.4 miles past the 14-mile marker. From here you can look clear across Honomanu Bay to watch ant-size cars descending the mountain cliffs on the other side. If there’s no place to park, there’s another pull-off with the same view 0.2 miles further.
Ke′anae
Congratulations, you’ve made it halfway to Hana. Your reward: dramatic landscapes and the friendliest seaside village on the route. Ke′anae Valley starts up at the Ko′olau Gap in the rim of Haleakalā Crater and radiates green clear down to the coast. At its foot lies Ke′anae Peninsula, created by a late eruption of Haleakalā that sent lava gushing all the