Excelsior Canyon (Punalau Stream)
verified
ACA 3C
Extreme flood risk
Hana, HI
A fantastic canyon with small rappels until the last two. Holds the rare true narrows section for Maui where the walls are within arm span.
Theoretically legal but involves sensitive local relations; conceal gear and avoid drawing attention. Cold water year round; full wetsuit. The 155 ft rappel near the bottom is the headline pitch.
Logistics
| Manager | HI DLNR (forest reserve) |
|---|---|
| Permit | No permit required, but two access options each carry friction: the Hana Highway approach uses a locked gate onto public forest reserve; the Garden of Eden approach charges $20 per person entry (exit logistics unclear). Vehicle break-ins reported; conceal gear. |
| Distance | ~3.7 RT (3 approach, 0.7 descent) |
| Elevation | ~200 ft gain on approach, ~700 ft loss on descent |
| Time | 4-6 hr |
| Technical | Grade 3C III (v4a3 II). 9 to 10 rappels longest 155 ft. Boulder hopping and creek walking dominate; a ~50 meter true narrows section is rare for Maui where you can touch both walls standing in the middle. Swift water hazard present. |
| Season | Nov-Apr |
| Flood risk | Extreme. Can flash flood in an instant; several sections offer no escape. Monitor the Punalau gauge (reference is 5.3 = medium low). |
| Vehicle access | 2WD |
| Crowd | Run fairly regularly by locals as of 2025 |
| Coordinates | 20.8565, -156.1765 |