Pīpīwai Bamboo Forest

The trail starts beside Kīpahulu Visitor Center and reaches the bamboo about a mile in, roughly 30 minutes each way. The approach is an uneven, unpaved trail with exposed roots, steps and steeper grades; boardwalks and bridges cover parts of the grove itself, not the whole way from the parking area. Makahiku Falls Overlook comes about half a mile in. If you want to continue to Waimoku Falls, the full hike is about four miles round trip with 800 feet of climbing.

The bamboo changes the feel of the hike: the stalks close around the path, and on breezy days their leaves rattle while the hollow stems knock and clack together. Pause for a moment when the wind picks up; the grove has a sound of its own, as well as a green tunnel of stems and canopy.

For a photo, stay on the boardwalk and let its planks lead into the bamboo. That gives the picture a sense of depth and shows how enclosed the grove feels.

Bamboo, or ʻohe, has a long history in Hawaiʻi. Polynesian voyagers brought it to the islands, and hollow stalks were used for nose flutes, fire-starting, carrying water and irrigation troughs. That wider cultural story makes the grove more than a striking stretch of forest, though there isn’t a documented planting date or species identification for this particular stand.

The district is 12 miles beyond Hāna on Hāna Highway, and no food or fuel is available in the park. Sort that out before leaving Hāna. Parking and restrooms are at the trailhead by the visitor center. Rain can make the rocky, rooty route slippery, and pets aren’t allowed on park trails.