| The only access trail to this exquisite swim hole and spectacular waterfall is permanently CLOSED. It is included here only for informational purposes dedicated to what was once an open and wonderful hike. |
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Description: This graded trail wiggles into the tight Kaluanui Valley - a narrow gorge with steep towering walls on both sides. The boulder-littered trail barely gets halfway up the entire length of the V-shaped valley before dead-ending into the vertical wall and pool where the magnificent Sacred Falls plunge. The trail's locale is one of the most heavily-laden with Hawaiian folklore and myth. Kaluanui Valley is sometimes called Kaliuwaa Valley for the legend of the underwater demon struggling to rise into the world via the waterfall's "bottomless" pool. It is also the site of an epic escape by the pig demi-god Kamapuaa. What to Expect: Trail permanently closed May 9, 1999. Do not attempt. This was once a frequently-visited public trail which received heavy traffic throughout each day. In effect its popularity contributed to the number of victims of the 1999 tragedy (see Dangers below). Trailhead Location: A sign marking the road to the trailhead is located mauka of Kamehameha Hwy (72) between Punaluu and Hauula towns. Accessing the Trail: Only state officials and authorized geophysicists are known to have had legal access to this trail since its closure. Trespassers have already been arrested and fined. Property/Access: Closed Trail. This is a prohibited trail one shouldn't even entertain the idea of trespassing into. Dangers/Other Considerations: At one time, flash floods were the most common of dangers on this trail. However, the incident on May 9, 1999 best exemplifies the danger of this and other gorge trails. It was a Mother's Day afternoon when a surprise rockslide came rumbling down one of the valley's towering walls and pummeled hikers relaxing at the trail terminus. There were eight fatalities which included children. It took several hours to evacuate the trail including 32 injured hikers. The state's Department of Land & Natural Resources immediately rescinded public trail access and sent in geophysicists to assess the terrain condition. Based on their findings, the DLNR permanently closed both the Sacred Falls Trail and the neighboring Maakua Gulch Trail.
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 Park Entrance (Memorial Crosses) Photo by: Star-Bulletin |
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These pictures were taken within a week before the tragedy. Special thanks to photographer Kerri Tyler for providing them to Backyard Oahu.
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 Looking Down the Trail (Lower Kaluanui Valley) |
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 Sacred Falls (Kaliuwaa) |
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| What the books say... | |
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| Hawaiian Hiking Trails Craig Chisholm |
Not listed |
| Hawaii's Best Hiking Trails Robert Smith | Not listed |
| The Hikers Guide to O'ahu Stuart Ball |
Closed |
