“You’re going to get wet. You’re going to get muddy. Don’t worry about it; just have fun! If you fight the mud, the mud will win.”

Hike Maui guide Kate Chilson always injects a bit of humor into her introduction to the East Maui Waterfalls & Rainforest Hike, knowing some participants have not had opportunities to be out in nature very often. For example, she recalls a man who showed up for the mauka (inland) hike with snorkeling gear and a woman who came wearing Dolce & Gabbana shoes.

“I explain we’re on the northeast side, the windward side, of the island,” Chilson said. “This area gets more rain than the west or leeward side, but that’s what makes it so green and beautiful. Dressing for a hike in a rainforest is easy — the grungier, the better!”

As the group sets out toward the trailhead, Chilson assesses their capabilities. If everyone is at least moderately fit and has a “let’s go for it!” attitude, she’ll choose a more challenging route. Hikers might find themselves crossing streams, walking through lava tubes, climbing over tree trunks, ducking under giant aerial roots and crawling up steep slopes. They might have to gingerly tread on rocky, slippery paths with sudden elevation changes.

The 2.5-mile hike can be akin to an obstacle course, which Chilson says is part of the adventure.

A self-described nerd, Chilson earned bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and environmental policy and science from McDaniel College in Westminster, Md. Her genial personality, passion for the outdoors and gift for “talking story” make leading hikes the perfect job for her.

Visitors on any Hike Maui tour can be confident the information they’re receiving is accurate. “Many of our guides have a degree or a background in subjects such as biology, ecology, botany, archaeology, forestry, geology and Hawaiian history,” Chilson said. “We often spend our spare time doing research, and we love sharing what we’ve learned with our guests.”

The five-hour East Maui Waterfalls & Rainforest Hike goes through 40 acres of spectacular, privately owned wilderness in Hoolawa Valley (Hike Maui operates there with permission from multiple landowners). Highlights include stops at waterfalls ranging from 10 to 40 feet tall. The number of waterfalls seen on any given day varies, depending on weather conditions; it could be as many as five.

“Safety is our primary concern,” Chilson said. “If it’s a nice day, people can jump 10 to 20 feet off rock ledges into pools below some of the waterfalls. They can stand right beneath another waterfall and enjoy a refreshing shower. That’s one of the most photographed sites on the hike.”

Plants and trees flourish along the valley’s network of trails, sometimes growing so thick that sunlight barely peeks through them. Chilson often pauses to pick fruit and flowers so guests can get close-up looks at them while learning about their unique characteristics. For example:

>> If the root of the fragrant yellow ginger looks familiar, it should; it’s the same ginger that is sold in stores as a spice and that has been touted as a remedy for everything from nausea to arthritis.

>> Remove the stem from the green fruit of the kukui, Hawaii’s state tree, and sap will appear which was used in ancient times as a healing agent for toothache, cold sores, chapped lips and mild sunburn.

When the ripe fruit is cracked open, it reveals a nut that releases oil when it is pressed. “Kukui oil is wonderful for your skin,” Chilson said. “It can also help to reduce scars. The oily nut itself can be used like a candle.”

>> Native to Central America, tart lilikoi (passion fruit) is a good source of vitamin C. According to Chilson, it turns from green to yellow when it ripens and then drops to the ground. In about two days it’ll shrivel like a raisin and be the sweetest it’ll ever be.

>> Pua hilahila (literally, shy or bashful flower) is a low-growing, spreading plant with round pink flowers. “It’s smart,” Chilson said. “If you touch it, it thinks you’re a threat, and it’ll transfer water out of its leaves into its stems and will look dead. The leaves will droop and curl, and they’ll stay that way for about 20 to 30 minutes. When the plant thinks the danger has passed, it’ll push water back into its leaves, and it’ll look healthy again, like nothing ever happened.”

The hike hugs a portion of East Maui Irrigation, a 74-mile, 10-ditch system built between 1879 and 1923 to carry water from the lush eastern slopes of Haleakala to the semi-arid Central Maui plains where Alexander & Baldwin grew sugar cane for 145 years. A&B harvested its last crop in December, marking the demise of an industry that had endured in Hawaii for more than 180 years.

“It’s amazing what you can see a short distance from many of Maui’s main roads,” Chilson said. “Hike Maui not only knows where to go; we provide insights into the history and natural history of those special places. We keep our groups small, so the experiences are intimate and personal. When you’re in peaceful settings away from stress, you can discover a lot about nature — and yourself.”

Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based freelance writer whose travel features for the Star-Advertiser have won several Society of American Travel Writers awards.