The Honolulu Star-Bulletin is reporting that Maui County has shut a two-lane bridge just past Hana town but before the Seven Sacred Pools in Haleakala National Park, which is part of the park's the Kipahulu District. The county estimates that 2,000 visitors per day make the trek up to Hana and the vast majority of them end up at least looking at, if not taking a dip, in the pools. Paihi Bridge is seven miles South of Hana Town on the Hana Highway. The county had long been planning to replace this rickety, 95 year-old span but it appears the quake combined with torrential rainfall following the quake compromised the structure to the point that it needed to be closed to traffic. The only other approach to the pools, from the South, was shut last week when one of the bridges in the Kaupo district became too unsafe to traverse. So, basically, no Seven Sacred Pools for you, folks. Most tragic. Equally tragic, the Pipiwai Trail is no longer accessible. It's accessed via the Kipahulu entrance to Haleakala National Park. Waimoku Falls is one of the Hawaii's, if not the world's, best waterfall hikes. Estimated re-opening date -- soon to be announced.

Halekala National Park -- Kipahulu Area Guide

Photocredit: istockphoto.com

—Alex, 10/21/06