I and another fellow both hiked down to the Olivine Pools and found it a very worthwhile sight, but with several qualifications. Every aspiring hiker to the Pools could benefit from my experience, either by declining the adventure or by being aware of the need to exercise extreme caution for their personal safety.

It is difficult to determine how and where to access the right path leading from the road, because there are several small turnouts where one can park. I believe that we made an initial mistake by starting from the northernmost of three paths (shown in a Maui Revealed map, on page 62) and it took a bit of wandering before we finally made our way down the correct cliff face. It appears that the path marked in the center of the map is the appropriate one. (NOTE: The map label of "Park Here" appears inappropriately placed at the end of the center path, since the overwhelming majority of tourists would certainly park right alongside the road, i.e., Highway 340; perhaps the map assumes use of a four wheel drive vehicle.)

Yes, you climb down a rather steep cliff, almost always over loose rock and loose dirt. In many cases, you must choose your own footpath. We were not experienced hill climbers (or descenders!), but pressed on, despite what really is a dangerous trek. It's all over open cliff side, over rock piles and sometimes around huge boulders, but it's also all in the open and there is no fear of "getting lost." However, the chance for a misstep and a serious slide and fall is constant, both down and back up. The trek in each direction took us about 20 minutes.

I feel that "Maui Revealed" seriously understates conditions with the brief statement: "Footing can be awkward and a little slippery." I urge that extreme caution is necessary at virtually every step of the trek, and that is when it is completely dry. We were fortunate enough to do this when the dirt was dry, but it would be even more dangerous if it was wet or muddy. It is obvious that everyone must make a personal judgement for their own safety, but those who do not consider themselves agile or who might become terrified partway into the trek--and "freeze up"-- should not attempt it. I would discourage anyone from taking a young child on this trek: You must decide how "young" is young. [I will offer this acknowledgement, however: This cliff face was only slightly more risky and a bit longer than the other book recommendation down to the nearby Nakalele Blowhole. We observed a family of about six persons descending there, equipped with a variety of tennis shoes and sandals, and including both a youngster under 10 and an oldster probably over 60! (Hey, wait a minute…that almost describes me!) However, they did not descend all the way down to the shoreline.]

The Olivine Pools are very pretty and unique, and deserving of all the photographs you can take (I only pray mine come out well). The first pool area that you encounter is actually a series of several small pools, with some spots about 10-15 feet deep, but you have to enter them by crossing very slippery lava rock, in some spots just damp, and others a foot or two deep. I ended up sliding on my butt when crossing this entire area, just to avoid slipping and falling, until easing myself into each little pool. You are right down on the coastline at this point, although about a hundred feet from the breaking surf. (NOTE: Both of us were wearing the recommended reef shoes during the entire trek, but the lava rock at the Pools is extremely slick.)

The most treacherous part of the trip is if you venture into the pool closest to the ocean. This pool is the widest, and deepest, and it is hard for anyone who ventured this far not to work your way out to it and swim in it. The true hazard is that if the waves break over the rock immediately bordering the pool from the ocean, that it causes a major surge of water in the pool itself.

I had the misfortune of standing at the edge of this pool, against a small, 3-5 foot lava outcropping (perhaps 20 feet from the ocean edge), when a wave washed over and into the pool and hit me, knocking me down and against the outcropping. I had absolutely no control and was at the mercy of the wave, which briefly tossed me around and scared the hell out of me, being dragged across sharp and jagged rock for just a very few seconds.

I was extremely lucky that my head did not hit the lava wall, or being otherwise seriously injured. I did crack my tailbone on the lava and will probably keep that scar for a long time. (If one has the page 61 picture handy, I was standing just beyond the person seated in the middle of the photo, but on a totally flat spot, when the wave struck; my buddy was about where the swimmer is depicted in the large pool to the right.)

My buddy was in the pool when the wave hit, got tumbled upside down without hitting the rock of the pool itself, and lost his glasses. We both now have a deep and abiding respect for the forces of Mother Nature. Despite all the foregoing admonitions, we may, however, still climb down again on our next trip...but would never even think of having our wives make the same trek. After all, someone needs to be able to summon a helicopter rescue!

Maui No Ka 'Oi,

posted 12-17-2001 17:44            

Sounds like an adventure to say the least. You and your friend were VERY lucky.

My feeling is that there are many places in the islands whose access is, shall we say, understated by the guidebooks.

I had an experience on the Kalalau Trail. Stepped off the side of the trail and slid into a ravine. Went head over heels. My fall was broken by the thick under brush. Wound up pulling myself up the ravine by hanging on to shrubs and branches.

That trail can be very dangerous, especially when it is wet, which is a lot of the time. There has been a lot of trail damage from Iniki and other big storms and the trail has not been totally repaired. Our hiking book noted the trail is only for advanced hikers and we consider ourselves so. Other books make no mention of the difficulty of the trail just the beauty of the vistas. I have seen people headed up that trail with flip-flops, no water, no hat, etc.

At one time they had someone posted at the trail head who would offer "advice" on your ability to handle the trail. Last time we were there, the booth was empty. I guess people are injured on the trail almost on a daily basis.

It is a beautiful hike, and people do take their kids, but caution is advised.

We have hiked the Awa'awapuhi Trail in Wiamea several times. The trail drops about 1600' from the head to overlook. It is therefore a 1600' climb out. We met some elderly couples coming out last time and I didn't think they were going to make it. They had heard the trail had a beautiful view at the lookout. Again a guidebook

We went kayaking up the Wailua. The guide said some people had showed up the week before and wanted to rent kayaks to go along the Napali Coast. Saw it in a guide book. They had never kayaked before. They were refused rentals and even a guide and went away in a huff.

I think everyone should check things out with the locals before heading out with guidebook in hand. I grew up by the ocean and have a great appreciation for waves, rip tides, sea urchins, and the like. People who have no such experience, have no appreciation of the power the ocean and the trouble you can get into.

Cheers,

posted 12-17-2001 19:13            

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Jean B

posted 12-22-2001 09:09            

However, one of the recommendations for Jojo's Shave ice was worth the cost of the book!

Joyce

posted 12-22-2001 13:27            

Thanks for warning us TUGgers about this place. Perhaps you could post something to the authors via their web pages.

posted 12-22-2001 14:25            

quote:

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Originally posted by Jwerking:
We used the Kauai book last time we were there. We had teens with us and decided to take a trip to some pond with a "swinging rope swing". We did find it - but as you said the rocks were very slippery and the rope swing was a pretty dangerous setup. There were a number of local teens there as well as crazy tourist like ourselves. At least, the local teens were helpful. The wait was a bit long for the one plunge - the girls each gave it a try - but decided once was enough. Can't say that I would recommend it!

However, one of the recommendations for Jojo's Shave ice was worth the cost of the book!

Joyce

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To each his own. We loved the rope swing and the cliffs. The rope swing is now gone, but last summer my son spent almost an hour diving off the cliffs. Later he said it was the most enjoyable part of the vacation.