Waihou Spring Forest Reserve

Waihou Spring Forest Reserve was established by Governor’s Proclamation in 1909 for the purpose of protecting the sources of Waihou Spring, one of the few perennial springs on the west slope of Haleakalā. At approximately 186 acres, Waihou Spring Forest Reserve is relatively small but is a popular day-use area.

Waihou Spring Forest Reserve is close to residential neighborhoods and has a well-used hiking trail. Most of the Reserve has been planted with an assortment of timber species over the years, reforesting an area that was previously weedy grazing land.

Additional Information

Activities

Hiking

Dog Walking

Rules & Regulations

Dogs On Leash

Dogs Permitted

Access

Waihou Spring Forest Reserve is an easily accessible and popular day use area. The Forest Reserve can be reached from Olinda Road or Pi‘iholo Road; parking is available outside the gate off Olinda Road. The Forest Reserve and parking area are open only during daylight hours. Na Ala Hele State of Hawai‘i Trail and Access Program maintains one trail in the forest reserve: the Waihou Spring Trail, which follows the old Waihou Spring Forest Reserve tree plantation road and descends southward to the gulch below.

Additional Public Use

Hiking: The popular Waihou Spring Trail has two sections (Figure 1). The first section is the upper loop, which is an easy walk of about ¼ mile. The second section is of moderate difficulty, with a length of approximately one mile and a change in elevation of approximately 400 feet; it follows the Waihou Spring Forest Reserve tree plantation road and descends southward to the bottom of the Waihou Spring.

Dogs: Dogs are allowed on-leash but must remain on the Waihou Spring Trail.

Current Management Objectives

DOFAW’s current management objectives for Waihou Spring Forest Reserve include preserving the watershed, controlling target weed species, maintaining trails, and removing fallen trees to manage fire fuel loads.