PHOTO: JEFF SANNER
As you can imagine, with an island as big as Hawai‘i Island, there are a few hiking trails to explore.
The MAKA‘ULA-‘O‘OMA TRACT traverses the Honua‘ula Forest Reserve, offering the chance to hike through a lush ‘ōhi‘a and hāpu‘u tree fern forest. This easy/moderate 4.3-mile (one way) trail is located on the slopes of Hualālai, above Kona; go to hawaiitrails.hawaii.gov/trails for details and updates. The ALA KAHAKAI TRAIL , follows the coastline over ancient fishermen’s trails that date back to the time of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The trail passes along the Puakō petroglyph field as well as the King’s Highway.
Don’t want to go it alone? Take a GUIDED, NATURE TOUR. HAWAI‘I FOREST & TRAIL offers innovative and informative nature adventures. Start your day with a sunrise view from atop MAUNAKEA , or venture to HAKALAU on an exclusive birdwatching tour. Learn more at hawaii-forest.com.
HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK is a popular hiking destination, and has partially reopened. The park’s Kahuku Unit is open Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s located an hour south of the main entrance on Highway 11, near mile marker 70.5 in Ka‘ū. Here, you’ll find orientation talks that provide a general overview of the park and volcanic activity updates and scheduled hikes (check nps.gov for dates). Call 808-985-6000 for updated information.
HAWAI‘I FOREST & TRAIL 800-464-1993 OR 808-331-8505
