Details:
Length (one way): 3.5 mi / 5.63 km - Elevation Change: 1,700 ft / 518.16 m
General Summary:
Hawaii‘loa Ridge Trail is a ridge trek to a summit in the Ko‘olau mountain range though a variety of native wildlife.
For additional information refer to the "Route description" below.
Hunting may be in progress on or near this hiking trail. Hunting dogs may be off-leash while engaged in the hunt. Hikers must keep their dogs leashed at all times and remove dog waste while on this trail.
The Hawai‘iloa Home Owners Association requires visitors to show a Hawaii State ID and sign a liability waiver.
Do not use any trail or access road that is not delineated by name and color and that may also be displayed on these maps. The marked features are managed for public recreational use. Other trails or roads that branch off from the public features may be on private property, and are not managed for any public recreational use. Access is subject to adjacent landowner approval, and if used without authorization, you will be trespassing and possibly putting yourself at risk.
Some native forest, Open, ridge line, steep, steps, views
1. Stay on the trail.
2. Check the weather
3. Watch the time
4. Avoid undue risk
5. Read all posted signs
6. Respect other trail users
7. Pack out at least what you pack in.
The Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club conducted scheduled hikes along Hawai`iloa Ridge during the 1950s and 1960s. Na Ala Hele, the state trail program, improved the trail with the help of volunteers in the early 1990s.
If driving from Kalanianaole Highway heading east, turn right just past Kawaikui Beach park, go around a small round-about that leads through the light to Pu‘u‘ikena Drive. Check in at the security guard station. The Hawai‘iloa Home Owners Association requires visitors to show a Hawaii State ID and sign a liability waiver. Continue on Pu‘u‘ikena Drive for approximately 1.5 miles to the trail head parking area, next to the Board of Water supply tank. The trail head is on the right, towards the mountains. Please abide by all rules and regulations of the Hawai‘iloa Home Owners Association. Do not stop or park in subdivision. There are only ten parking stalls at the trail head. Hiking groups are advised to car pool.
Always yield to hikers. Do not slide around corners or slide down the trail. Careless mountain biking damages the trail and causes erosion. If accidents are reported or damage to the trail is extreme, the trail may be closed to mountain bikers. This trail is not an easy mountain bike trail.
Along the initial section are the native shrubs `ulei and pukiawe. Sprawling `ulei has small, oblong leaves arranged in pairs; clusters of white, roselike flowers; and white fruit. Early Hawaiians ate the berries and used the tough wood for making digging sticks, fish spears, and `ukeke (the musical bow). Pukiawe has tiny, rigid leaves and small white, pink, or red berries.
Before entering the guava tree tunnel, look for the native shrub `akoko. It has rounded, oblong leaves arranged in pairs. The branches are dark brown and jointed with white rings. Early Hawaiians used the milky sap mixed with charcoal to stain their outrigger canoe hulls.
In the stands of guava watch for the `elepaio, a small native bird. It is brown on top and white underneath with a black throat and a dark tail, usually cocked. The bird roams the forest understory catching insects on the fly or on vegetation. `Elepaio are very curious, which is why you can sometimes see them.
On the flat section after the two switchbacks, look for hala pepe, a tall, slender native tree. The narrow leaves hang in bunches from the branch tips. The tree produces clusters of yellowish blossoms and then red berries. Early Hawaiians used the flowers in making lei (garlands).
On the final climb watch for kopiko, a native member of the coffee family. It has leathery, oblong leaves with a light green midrib. Turn the leaf over to see a row of tiny holes (piko [navel]) on either side of the midrib. The kopiko produces clusters of little white flowers and fleshy, orange fruits.
Just below the summit listen for the Japanese bush warbler (uguisu), a bird often heard, but rarely seen. Its distinctive cry starts with a long whistle and then winds down in a series of notes. The bush warbler is olive brown on top with a white breast and a long tail.
After taking in the expansive view at the top, look for the native shrub pu`ahanui (kanawao), a relative of hydrangea. It has large, serrated, deeply creased leaves and clusters of delicate pink flowers. Early Hawaiians used the plants for medicinal purposes.
Take the gravel path at the far end of the parking lot. By a chain and a trailhead marker, bear left off the path onto the Hawai`iloa Ridge Trail. Break out into the open on the wide, windswept ridge. Walk through three stands of ironwood trees. Traverse a relatively level section of the ridge. Ignore a side trail on the right. Ascend gradually through a long stretch of guava. The trail briefly follows several wires from an old fence line. Cross another relatively level section and then resume the ascent through a dark guava forest. Bear left around the top of a distinct, moss-covered knob and descend its backside on two switchbacks.
The ridge flattens through native koa and `ohi`a trees. By several large guava trees, jog right and then left up an eroded slope to regain the distinct crest of the ridge. Ascend steadily along the open ridge, sometimes on plastic planks, sometimes on a deeply rutted trail. Climb up the steep, eroded slope on two long staircases of plastic steps. Reach the Ko`olau summit at a small with an excellent view of the windward coast.
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