Ka honua nui a Kane i hoinana a ahu kinohinohi. The great earth is animated and adorned by Kane.
-Hawaiian olelo (proverb)

The Kipahulu area, with its beautiful streams, subtropical vegetation and rugged coastline, is one of the greatest treasures on Maui. The powerful culture and history of the area makes exploration even more meaningful. In Kipahulu, all trails start at the Visitor Center.

• Detailed trail guides are available at the Kipahulu Visitor Center.

• No food, supplies, gas, or drinking water are available in Kipahulu. You should bring enough gas and supplies for the duration of your trip.

• Be alert to water conditions as flash flooding may occur within minutes. Obey posted warning signs and check at the Visitor Center for current trail and swimming conditions.

• Hikers must be properly prepared for hot, wet conditions and mosquitoes.

WARNING! The Pipiwai Stream and all the streams of East Maui are prone to flash flooding. Water can rise over 4 feet in minutes. Stay away from the streambed during heavy rains. At higher elevations it may be raining and streams can swell to cause flash floods, even if it is sunny and clear where you are. Swimming is not recommended when streams are stagnant. Cliff edges along the stream are very slippery and unstable and there are no guard rails; avoid hiking too close to the edge. Visitors have been injured or killed by falling into the streams.

Kuloa Point Trail
A .5 mile (.8km) easy loop trail leads from the Kipahulu Visitor Center down to the ocean at Kuloa Point past historic walls and pre-contact Hawaiian habitation sites. The trail passes a grove of hala trees on the way to beautiful views of the ocean and several large pools. Swimming is at your own risk. There are no lifeguards on duty. Serious injuries and deaths have occurred due to people jumping into the water from the cliffs above. The ocean currents at Kuloa Point are very strong and sharks and high surf are constant dangers. Do not go into the ocean here.

Kahakai Trail
The Kahakai Trail stretches .25 mile (.54km) between Kuloa Point and the Kipahulu campground. Shoreline views along the ocean are beautiful…but watch your step along cliffsides!

Pipiwai Trail
Pipiwai Trail is a moderately strenuous 4 mile (6.3km) round trip trail. It winds upslope along the edge of Pipiwai Stream past several waterfalls and pools. The remains of a sugar mill dam, irrigation systems, and flumes of the late 1800's can be seen in several places along the trail. The Makahiku Overlook is just .5 mile (.8km) up the trail and looks down on a beautiful 184-foot (56m) waterfall. Continue your hike over foot bridges above the stream and through the alien bamboo forest. The trail ends near the base of the 400-foot (122m) Waimoku Falls. Be prepared for rain, mud, and slippery mosses. Mosquitoes are very friendly here!

Help us protect the cultural resources of Kipahulu! Kipahulu has a long and rich history of human habitation spanning from pre-contact (prior to 1778) times to today. Many historic and archeological features are visible from the trails in Kipahulu. Hiking off-trail to look for features is prohibited. Several Federal laws protect cultural resources of the Kipahulu area. There are stiff fines and penalties for any person who moves, destroys, defaces, or otherwise harms fragile cultural resources. The landscapes here preserve the stories of the past. Any alteration of the landscape changes these stories. Please report any disturbance to these resources that you may see. Visit the Kipahulu Visitor Center or join a park naturalist on a hike to enhance your understanding and experience of Kipahulu.

Why not spend a night at Kipahulu? Camping is available at Kipahulu.

Hiking opportunities are also available in the summit area of Haleakala National Park.