Parks 488 ft Bortle 1 Solitude: 90/100 (remote)

Established in 2000 to preserve, protect and interpret traditional Native Hawaiian culture and natural resources, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail is a 175-mile corridor encompassing a network of culturally and historically significant trails. This "trail by the sea" traverses wahi pana (storied landscapes), ancient Hawaiian sites and over 200 ahupuaʻa (traditional land divisions).

Near Naalehu, HI in Hawaii

What to Pack for Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, HI

The right gear makes all the difference — here's a packing list tailored to this area.

Every item on this list exists because of specific conditions at Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail — Tropical terrain, Unknown, and local wildlife.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Water sources marked on maps may be seasonal or dry; carrying enough to complete your route prevents a dangerous shortfall.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Getting lost is the leading cause of backcountry search-and-rescue calls; reliable navigation prevents the situation entirely.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Prolonged sun exposure causes headaches, fatigue, and heat exhaustion that can cut a trip short or create a medical emergency.
First aid kit — Remote locations mean longer response times for help; a first aid kit bridges the gap between injury and professional care.
Extra food — High-energy snacks weigh little but provide crucial fuel if you need to bushwhack out or wait for conditions to improve.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Hands-free light is essential for navigating uneven terrain, setting up camp, or signaling for help at night.
Fire starter — Waterproof matches or a ferro rod weigh almost nothing and can be the difference between a cold night and a survivable one.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — Wind and rain strip heat faster than most people realize; a compact emergency shelter blocks both.
Knife or multi-tool — A multi-tool handles problems you can't predict: jammed zippers, tangled line, first-aid tape cutting, or gear fixes on the trail.
Extra clothing layer — A lightweight fleece or puffy stuffs small but provides critical insulation if temperatures drop unexpectedly.

Activities & Best Time to Visit Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, HI

The Tropical terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.

Outdoor recreation at Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail centers on birdwatching, with the May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep months offering the best conditions.

With a photography score of 35/100, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail offers Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 1 excellent meteor showers worth capturing.

Activities

birdwatching — Binoculars and field guides help track seasonal migrations and rare sightings.
boating — Boating provides a different perspective on shorelines and wildlife.
camping — Camping offers campfires, starry nights, and mornings filled with birdsong.
canoeing — Canoeing allows shared exploration and easy gear transport.
fishing — Fishing blends patience and skill with peaceful waterfront settings.
hiking — Hiking ranges from gentle nature walks to challenging summit climbs.
kayaking — Kayaking offers close-up views of shoreline wildlife and scenery.
mountain_biking — Mountain biking combines speed, balance, and changing landscapes.
paddleboarding — Paddleboarding offers balance-focused fun with scenic views.
photography — Golden hour and dramatic weather can transform ordinary scenes into striking images.
picnicking — Picnicking turns a scenic overlook or shady grove into a memorable gathering spot.
sightseeing — Sightseeing highlights iconic vistas, waterfalls, and unique rock formations.
swimming — Swimming adds refreshing fun to a day outdoors.
walking — Walking lets you slow down and notice details — wildflowers, birdsong, shifting light through trees.
wildlife_viewing — Early mornings and dusk offer the best chances to quietly spot native wildlife.

Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Terrain: Tropical — Dense plant growth and broadleaf species dominate many tropical areas.

Nature & Wildlife at Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, HI

The Tropical terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.

The plant life here ranges from autograph tree in the canopy to Bamboo Orchid along the trail edges.

Trees (1)

autograph tree — White waxy flowers develop into green fruits.

Wildflowers (1)

Bamboo Orchid — Pink to lavender orchid flowers with yellow throats.

Other Plants (5)

ʻŌhiʻa Lehua
Pūkiawe
Small-leaved plane
Brazilian pepper
Akeake

Mammals (1)

Small Indian Mongoose — Short legs and coarse fur.

Birds (13)

Saffron Finch — Orange crown in male
Yellow-billed Cardinal — White underparts
Warbling White-eye — White eye ring
Kalij Pheasant — White rump
Yellow-fronted Canary — Gray upperparts

Reptiles (4)

Gold Dust Day Gecko — Red markings may appear on snout and head.
Jackson's Chameleon — Males possess three prominent facial horns.
Green Sea Turtle — Head is relatively small compared to body size.
Mourning Gecko — Large eyes and adhesive toe pads are prominent.

Amphibians (1)

Common Coqui

Insects (5)

Gulf Fritillary
Black Witch
Yellow Fever Mosquito
Western Honey Bee
Dot-lined Angle

Other Wildlife (9)

Hawaiian Garden Spider
Shingle Urchin
Yellowstripe Goatfish
Thin-shelled Rock Crab
Tetragnatha quasimodo

Nature Bingo at Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, HI

Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.

Wildlife Challenge

Saffron Finch (bird)
Small Indian Mongoose (mammal)
Gold Dust Day Gecko (reptile)
Common Coqui (amphibian)
ʻŌhiʻa Lehua (plant)

Botany Challenge

Abelmoschus
Abelmoschus Moschatus
Cyrtandra Hashimotoi
Gahnia Beecheyi
Panicum Beecheyi
Catharanthus Roseus

Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, HI Climate & Sun

Month-by-month climate and daylight information for Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail.

With inches of annual precipitation and an average of °F, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail has Unknown conditions.

Climate type: Unknown

Winter 0°

2.3"

Spring 0°

1.5"

Summer 0°

1.4"

Fall 0°

2.4"

Month	Avg Temp	Precip
Jan	0°F	2.3 in
Feb	0°F	2.3 in
Mar	0°F	3.3 in
Apr	0°F	1.5 in
May	0°F	2.1 in
Jun	0°F	1.3 in
Jul	0°F	1.4 in
Aug	0°F	2.5 in
Sep	0°F	3.1 in
Oct	0°F	2.4 in
Nov	0°F	1.1 in
Dec	0°F	2.9 in

Daylight & Sun Times

Daylight ranges from 11 hours in winter to 13.3 hours in summer — a difference of 2.3 hours.

Summer: 5:45 AM – 7:01 PM

Winter: 6:49 AM – 5:48 PM

Winter Solstice: Sunrise 6:49 AM, Sunset 5:48 PM Golden hour from 5:16 PM

Summer Solstice: Sunrise 5:45 AM, Sunset 7:01 PM Golden hour from 6:30 PM

Spring Equinox: Sunrise 6:33 AM, Sunset 6:33 PM Golden hour from 6:04 PM

Fall Equinox: Sunrise 6:10 AM, Sunset 6:27 PM Golden hour from 5:58 PM

Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, HI Trip Planning & Access

Ready to visit? Here's what to know about getting here and what it'll cost.

Trip planning for Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail starts with the 2402-mile route from San Jose.

Nearest city: San Jose (2402 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $600.43 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 1940.6 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

Visitor friendliness: families (excellent), dogs (likely_allowed), elderly (highly_suitable).

Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
Families: excellent
Elderly: highly_suitable
Strollers: excellent (100/100)
Beginners: Perfect for beginners (Moderate difficulty (+5), Good information available (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Places Near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, HI

If you're in the area, these nearby destinations are worth considering too.

From campgrounds to trails to scenic attractions, 11 destinations surround Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail.

Nearby Trails

Kahuku Kona Trail, Hawaii 11.46 mi
Kahuku Road (pedestrian Access), Hawaii 12.68 mi
Kahuku Glover Trail, Hawaii 13.38 mi
Kahuku Palm Trail, Hawaii 13.65 mi
The Palm Trail, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes NP 14.09 mi

Nearby Attractions

Kona Trail, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes NP 12.88 mi
Glover Trail, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes NP 12.88 mi
Forested Pit Crater, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes NP 13.39 mi

Things to Do at Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, HI (21)

Attractions

Stargazing & Night Sky at Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, HI

If you're staying past sunset, the stargazing conditions here are worth planning around.

For anyone who stays past sunset, the Bortle 1 conditions here reward patience with constellations and bright planets.

Bortle 1 Excellent dark-sky site

Meteor Showers

For meteor viewing, the Geminids (December 13-14) offers the best show at this location.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
Cold December air often means clear skies—look overhead after midnight for bright, slow-moving meteors.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (good)
Bundle up—January nights are frigid, but dark skies can produce bright fireballs.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (good)
Peak activity typically builds after midnight when Perseus climbs higher.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Southern U.S. observers often get better rates due to the radiant's position.
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (good)
This steady shower rewards patient observers in dark, moonless conditions.

Planets

Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:

Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light
Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue

Equipment Guide

Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune

Viewing Tips

Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)

Best Viewing Months

Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep

Seasonal Highlights at Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, HI

Each season brings something different to this area.

From warming temperatures in spring to cooler conditions in autumn, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail rewards visitors in every season.

Indigenous Land at Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, HI

Long before trails were marked and campgrounds built, this land was home to Indigenous peoples.

This area's history extends far beyond recreation — it is the traditional territory of Nā moku ʻehā.

Territories

Nā moku ʻehā

Languages

2 Indigenous languages are associated with the peoples of this area: ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Hoailona ʻŌlelo o Hawaiʻi (Hawai’i Sign Language).

Data from Native Land Digital

Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, HI Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.

Endangered Species

Species at Risk: 1780
ESA Endangered: 149
ESA Threatened: 2
Conservation Score: 100/100

Temperature Records

Record High: 95°F (2018-09-13)
Record Low: 35°F (2007-02-12)

Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, HI Safety & Conditions

Conditions change fast outdoors — bookmark these official sources for your visit.

The data above tells you what's typical — these links tell you what's happening at Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail right now.

Flood zone: Not in a flood zone