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Polipoli Lookout LbNA #13955

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Mar 23, 2005
Location:
City:Kula
County:Maui
State:Hawaii
Boxes:1
Planted by:Playmakers
Found by: J and R
Last found:Sep 15, 2005
Status:Fa
Last edited:Mar 23, 2005
Polipoli State Park presents a different type of Maui than what we normally expect in this tropical paradise. This park is remote and does not receive a lot of traffic, however, some wonderful hiking trails await those who visit this heavily forested area on the south slopes of Haleakala.

Back in the 1920s and 1930s, the State of Hawaii and the Civilian Conservation Corps undertook a major reforestation project in this area which had been destroyed by overgrazing of cattle.

Many different trees were planted including redwood, sugi and cedar none of which were native to Hawaii. These trees have flourished and today you can see giant redwoods up to 100’ tall and with trunks up to 6’ in diameter.

To get to Polipoli State Park, take Hwy 36 (Hana Hwy) from Kahului. Turn right at Hwy 37 and continue on Hwy 37 to the second Hwy 37/377 intersection (Hwy 377 is simply a loop road) and turn left (north) on Hwy 377 for about 3/10 mile to the Waipoli Road where you will turn right. Waipoli Road leads straight to Polipoli State Park. This is a winding road offering outstanding views in clear weather. The first 6 miles are paved and the last 4 miles are bumpy but are usually no problem for a regular car.

Waipoli Road is the road where the paragliders soar high and long in the wind currents on their regular morning flights.

Once you get to Polipoli State Park, there are a number of wonderful hiking trails that are never crowded.

There is a parking lot with campsites, running water and a flush toilet. The elevation here is about 6,000 feet and the climate is refreshingly cool. Many times you are above any clouds at this elevation but precipitation is always a possibility at these altitudes, particularly in the afternoon.

Our favorite trail is a loop starting just back the road (less than 100 yards) from the parking lot. The initial 1.7 miles is on the Redwood Trail which gently descends about 730 feet through wonderful forest including the huge, magnificent redwoods.

The Redwood Trail runs into the Plum Trail after 1.7 miles where you will make a left turn. Signage is not the greatest, however, you should not have any problems finding your way.

The Plum Trail slowly regains the 730 feet that you descended on the Redwood Trail plus about another 300 feet.

Once the Plum Trail meets the Haleakala Ridge Trail, turn left.

About ½ mile along the Haleakala Ridge Trail, you will see a sign ‘Polipoli Park 1 Mile’. There is a short spur trail here that leads to a ‘Lookout’ and to a Cave.

The Polipoli Lookout Letterbox is hidden near the Lookout.

The Lookout offers incredible views of the two largest volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii, Mauna Kea on the left at nearly 14,000 feet and Mauna Loa on the right. You can also see the lava shoreline below you. These are world class views and well worth the hike.

To access the cave, simple take the spur trail another 100 or so yards.

Once you have found the Polipoli Lookout Letterbox, retrace your steps the short distance back to the sign ‘Polipoli Park 1 Mile’ and follow the Haleakala Ridge Trail towards the parking lot. About half way to the parking lot, bear left at the unsigned fork in the trail.

This is a wonderful hike best done in the morning before the afternoon clouds come in. This is an easy to moderate hike that will take about 4 hours, including a lunch break.

CLUES

The Polipoli Lookout Letterbox is located (surprise!) near this Lookout.

At the Lookout, there is a small sign ‘End of Trail’.

Go about 20 paces beyond this sign and look left to see a large tree with 3 main trees growing from its base.

Go past this tree a couple of paces for best access and then go slightly uphill and back toward the tree.

The Polipoli Lookout Letterbox is hidden in the crotch of the trunk of the 3 main sections of the tree under some pine needles.

When you find the Polipoli Lookout Letterbox, you will be greeted by a dancing Hula Girl with her ukulele.

Once you have found the Polipoli Lookout Letterbox and signed in, thank you for replacing the Letterbox to ensure the integrity of its hiding place.

Please ensure that there are sufficient pine needles, sticks or whatever hiding the Letterbox so that it is well protected from the view of passersby. Thank you.

We hope you enjoy the hike, the climate, the trees and the fabulous views in your quest for the Polipoli Lookout Letterbox.

Please contact us by email at peter@brill.ca to let us know you
found this box and the condition it is in, plus any other comments
you may have. We look forward to hearing from you.

Happy Letterboxing!