The Seven Sacred Pools are a popular tourist attraction in Maui's Haleakala National Park. The park is located on the southeastern coast of Maui past the city of Hana. The Seven Sacred Pools are situated in a sprawling area that contains streams, waterfalls and an ample number of Hawaiian flora and fauna.
The Seven Sacred Pools, also known as 'Ohe'o Gulch by locals, are a series of natural staircase waterfalls cascading into a series of descending pools within Haleakala National Park. The pools start about 2 miles inland, fed by the Pipiwai Streams. There are many pools, but because the area is bordered by sculpted lava rock basins and cliffs, the easiest to reach are near the shore. The area is scenic and attracts thousands of visitors each year.
In 1969, the land where the Seven Sacred Pools are is located was donated to the Haleakala National Park to ensure the pools would be available to the public for perpetuity. The actual name of the pools is 'Ohe'o Gulch, but a 1940s publicity campaign re-branded the pools in an effort to increase tourism. The re-branded name is a complete misnomer. The pools have no religious or sacred associations, and more than seven pools exist. The area actually consists of dozens of pools and multiple waterfalls that flow through the 'Ohe'o Gulch into the ocean.
Getting to the Seven Sacred Pools requires navigating Maui's well-known Hana Highway, with its one-way bridges and other peculiarities. When visiting, it is advised to arrive in the early morning, because the park typically becomes very crowded in the afternoons. The pools are always open and there is no admission charge except for a $10 charge per car for parking.
Visitors should keep in mind that the pools are in a non-staffed area; there are no lifeguards. The area is also prone to flash floods. Tourists visiting during a rain storm should be extra cautious.
There are a variety of hikes in this area. One of the most popular is the Pipiwai Trail, above the Seven Sacred Pools. The trail is a 4-mile round trip with about a 650-foot gain in elevation. Other popular trails include the Kuloa Point Trail and the Kahakai Trail.
In addition to hiking, the area is great for bird watching, historical sites, sightseeing, cliff jumping and swimming. The pools tend to be crowded on weekends, so if you prefer a non-active endeavor, people watching is an option.
