Pua'a Ka'a State Wayside Park, State park with waterfalls along Road to Hana in Maui, Hawaii.
Pua'a Ka'a is a state wayside park with two waterfalls that drop into natural swimming pools surrounded by dense rainforest on Maui's famous Road to Hana. The upper falls and lower falls sit on opposite sides of the main highway, each creating its own pool for swimmers.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources created this wayside park as a rest stop for travelers on the winding Hana Highway. It has served for decades as an important stopping point on one of Hawaii's most-traveled scenic roads.
The name Pua'a Ka'a comes from Hawaiian and means Rolling Pig, reflecting how locals traditionally named places in the islands. You can see this cultural connection in how the community still uses Hawaiian names for nature sites throughout the area.
The upper pool can be reached by crossing stepping stones over a stream, while the lower falls require crossing the main road. Both areas are accessible during daylight hours, though arriving early helps avoid crowds on this popular route.
The park has two separate waterfall areas on opposite sides of the highway, each with its own swimming pool and distinct character. This unusual layout lets visitors experience two different waterfall settings without traveling far from one location.
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