ʻOheʻo Stream Closed Due to Theft of Monitoring Equipment

By Maui Now Staff

The ʻOheʻo Stream, located along the Pīpīwai Trail in the Kīpahulu District of Haleakalā National Park, will be closed until further notice due to the theft of stream monitoring equipment, Park officials announced.

The theft is believed to have occurred during the night of Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015.

According to the park’s safety policy, the stream must be closed to protect visitors whenever the equipment is not functional.

Park staff anticipate that it will take several weeks for new equipment to be ordered, shipped, and installed, during which time the pools will remain closed.

The stream monitoring equipment includes sensors located along several miles of the Palikea and ʻOheʻo streams. The sensors track water levels and rainfall and the system sounds an alarm in the Kīpahulu Visitor Center when flash floods might occur. The triggering of the alarm signals heightened flood potential and results in closing of the pools to visitors.

Visitors are advised to abide by posted “stream closed” signs and the direction of park staff. Park staff remind the public that injuries and fatalities have resulted from visitors entering closed areas.

Anyone with information on the crime is encouraged to contact Kristine Ell at Haleakalā National Park by calling (808) 572-4433.

Pool at ʻOheʻo Gulch. Image courtesy Haleakalā National Park.

ʻOheʻo Gulch in East Maui region of Kīpahulu. Photo courtesy Haleakalā National Park.

ʻOheʻo Gulch in East Maui region of Kīpahulu. Photo courtesy Haleakalā National Park.

ʻOheʻo Gulch in East Maui region of Kīpahulu. Photo courtesy Haleakalā National Park.

ʻOheʻo Gulch in East Maui region of Kīpahulu. File photo by Wendy Osher.

ʻOheʻo Gulch in East Maui region of Kīpahulu. File photo by Wendy Osher.