End of Iao Valley Road, Wailuku
(Central Maui) Awe-inspiring sacred valley laced with a
network of hiking trails. Sample hike: streamside trail (1.5
miles/30 mins. one-way).
CAMP MALUHIA
WAIHEE RIDGE TRAIL
Highway 34 to Camp Maluhia Access Road
(Central Maui) Trailhead for strenuous Waihee Ridge hike (5
miles/3 hours round-trip). (Part of Na Ala Hele statewide
trail system.) Superb valley and canyon views. Trail is
steep at times. (2.5 miles)
ACCESS: From Kahekili Highway (34), turn up the Maluhia Road
leading 0.9 mile mauka to just before Camp Maluhia. A sign
on a fence marks the beginning of the trail, which follows a
series of right-of-way markers through the pasture before
entering the forest.
ROUTE: This trail climbs the windward slope of West Maui 2.5
miles to a peak overlooking Wailuku. It begins just below
the Boy Scout's Camp Maluhia in the pasture and climbs
through a brushy guava thicket, a young planted stand of
trees and finally into wet native scrub forest. As one
progresses up the ridge the view continually changes. First
one looks down on the Boy Scout Camp, then into Waihee gorge
with its dark verdant cliffs, then north into Makamakaole
Gulch, and finally at the top one can see Wailuku and
central Maui, to the north the Kahakuloa slopes and directly
inland Mount Eke can be seen high in the clouds. The trail
is well marked and in good condition although somewhat steep
at times. It climbs from 1,000 feet to 2,563 feet in
elevation. Boots are recommended for protection and
traction. The weather while sometimes beautifully clear is
usually overcast at the summit with frequent passing
showers. Trade winds blowing inland usually keep the area
cool. Although the area is damp there is no drinking water
along the trail. Be sure to bring your own supply. There are
no facilities along this trail as it was designed for
natural environment day use. Camping is not permitted.
WAIHEE VALLEY
Waihee Valley Road, Waihee
Hardy family hike - combining exotic rain forest with tricky
footbridge crossings ending in a cool swim (2 miles/90
minutes one-way).
HAWAII NATURE CENTER
Iao Valley Road Wailuku, HI 96793 (Central
Maui) Tel. (808) 244-6500 Private, non-profit organization
that provides hands-on outdoor adventures for children and
adults. Call for information on guided hikes into Iao
Valley.
HAWAII STATE DEPARTMENT OF
LAND & NATURAL RESOURCES
Division of Forestry & Wildlife
54 South High Street Wailuku, HI 96793
Tel. (808) 984-8100
Free Maui hiking trail information including information on
the state Na Ala Hele trail system and free recreation maps.
HAWAII STATE PARKS
Dept. Of Land & Natural Resources
54 South High Street, Rm. 101 Wailuku, HI 96793
Tel. (808) 984-8109
Hours: 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. (Closed Weekends and State
Holidays) Information and free site maps on hiking in Maui's
state parks.
MAUI COUNTY PARKS
Department of Parks and Recreation
1580C Kaahumanu Avenue Wailuku, HI 96793
Tel. (808) 243-7389
Hours: 7:45 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Mon.-Fri. (Closed
weekends/holidays) Free information on Maui's county parks.
NATURE CONSERVANCY OF HAWAII
81 Makawao Avenue, Suite 203A Makawao, HI
96768
Tel. (808) 572-7849
The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, a non-profit organization,
has several preserves on Maui including the Kapunakea
Preserve, and the Waikamoi Preserve. The Conservancy's
mission is to protect the finest remaining examples of
native plants, animals and natural communities in Hawaii by
protecting the places they need to survive. Call for
information on hikes, volunteer work trips, and memberships,
or visit their site.
