I arrived just before noon, after inching my way down the Hana Highway — a drive that had already wrung the stress out of me with its hairpin turns and hanging vines. When I stepped out of the car at Haleakala National Park, the air smelled green and wet. I followed the trail, legs a little stiff from the ride, toward the Seven Sacred Pools.
They weren’t quiet. Water rushed over black lava rock in steady streams, feeding one pool after the next like a natural staircase. I could hear it before I could see it. When I reached the lookout, the pools spilled down toward the ocean, fringed with tropical ferns and flashes of hibiscus. I remember thinking, “This isn’t something I’m meant to take — just something to witness.”
I didn’t swim. The water was high that day, and the rangers had posted signs. But just sitting on a warm boulder, legs tucked up, watching the endless motion was enough. The sunlight flickered through mist, and everything smelled faintly of ginger and rain.
Afterward, I drove a little farther down the road and stopped at Hana Farms Roadside Market & Restaurant. I ordered the wood-fired pizza with roasted pineapple and basil, and it came out hot and bubbling. The crust was crisp with a hint of smoke, and the cheese smelled rich and clean in the humid air. I sat at a picnic table under palm fronds, wiping my fingers on a paper napkin and not minding the stickiness one bit.
Seven Sacred Pools At a Glance
- Drive time from Kahului: About 2.5 to 3 hours (allow more for stops)
- Address: Kipahulu District, Haleakala National Park, Mile Marker 42 Hana Hwy
- Best Time to Visit: Morning after rain or mid-afternoon when crowds thin
- Vibe: Lush, sacred, layered in sound
- Highlights: Series of cascading pools, ocean views, nearby Pipiwai Trail
- Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, parking
- Cost: $30 per vehicle (includes 3-day access to all Haleakala areas)
- Hours: 9am to 5pm
- Food Nearby: Hana Farms Restaurant (highly recommended), or pack snacks
Map: