Photo: Tomas Quinones from Portland, OR, USA / CC BY-SA 2.0

Part of Kaloko-honokōhau National Historical Park

Trails 3 ft 1.84 mi moderate Native Bortle 1 Solitude: 90/100 (remote)

Ala Kahakai Trail spans 1.84 miles of native-surface terrain in Hawaii supporting four mammals and abundant birds. Moderate difficulty and exceptional seclusion define this island route with diverse coastal ecology.

What to Pack for Ala Kahakai Trail, Kaloko-honokōhau NHP

Pack with the terrain and wildlife in mind, and you'll be ready for anything here.

Don't underpack for Ala Kahakai Trail. The conditions here — Tropical — call for thoughtful gear choices.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Even cool-weather hiking demands steady hydration, as exertion and altitude increase water loss faster than most expect.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Even well-marked trails have confusing junctions, especially in fog or snow; a GPS unit or downloaded map keeps you on route.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Quality sunglasses prevent snow blindness and reduce eye strain during long days on exposed trails or ridgelines.
First aid kit — Adhesive bandages, antiseptic, and athletic tape handle the most common trail injuries and weigh under a pound.
Extra food — Blood sugar drops fast during sustained effort outdoors, and having a reserve keeps your body and mind sharp.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Batteries drain faster in cold weather; carrying spares ensures you won't be left in the dark when you need light most.
Fire starter — Starting a fire boosts morale and provides light, warmth, and a way to purify water in an emergency.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — If an injury forces you to stop moving, a reflective blanket prevents the rapid heat loss that leads to hypothermia.
Knife or multi-tool — In a survival situation, a blade lets you process tinder, build shelter, and prepare food.
Extra clothing layer — Wet clothing accelerates cooling; a dry backup layer can prevent hypothermia when conditions turn.

Activities & Best Time to Visit Ala Kahakai Trail, Kaloko-honokōhau NHP

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

Activity options at Ala Kahakai Trail range from casual () to more demanding ().

The scenery here earns a 35/100 photography rating — Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 1 excellent meteor showers.

Activities

hiking — With sturdy footwear and preparation, trails open up expansive views and quiet solitude.
photography — Outdoor photography invites you to slow down and frame the beauty around you.
picnicking — Whether lakeside or in a meadow, it's a relaxed way to savor both the setting and the company.
running — From flat paths to rolling hills, running outdoors adds variety to your routine.
walking — Perfect for all ages, a casual walk can turn any outdoor space into a relaxing nature experience.
wildlife_viewing — Bring binoculars and patience — nature often rewards careful, respectful observers.

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

Terrain: Tropical — Frequent rainfall supports layered forest canopies.

Nature & Wildlife at Ala Kahakai Trail, Kaloko-honokōhau NHP

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

From towering Portia tree and silk oak to delicate , the vegetation here creates habitat for 4 mammal species and 30 birds.

Trees (3)

Portia tree — Large hibiscus-like yellow flowers feature dark maroon centers.
silk oak — Bright orange flower clusters bloom in warm seasons.
autograph tree — Leaves can be scratched with a fingernail to leave visible marks.

Shrubs (1)

tree heliotrope — Fragrant white flower clusters bloom year-round in warm climates.

Other Plants (5)

kiawe
beach naupaka
Beach Morning Glory
yellow ʻilima
Fountain Grass

Mammals (4)

Small Indian Mongoose — Usually under 2 feet including tail.
Domestic Goat — Slender legs adapted for climbing.
Domestic Cat — Typically weighs 5–15 pounds.
Humpback Whale — Adults reach 40–50 feet in length.

Birds (30)

Red Avadavat — Short conical bill
Wild Turkey — Paler Rio Grande subspecies in the West
Zebra Dove — Long tail
Western Cattle-Egret — Yellow bill
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse — Long pointed wings

Reptiles (6)

Green Sea Turtle — Adults can exceed 3 feet in shell length.
Gold Dust Day Gecko — Usually 4–6 inches long.
Mourning Gecko — Typically 3–4 inches long.
Brown Anole — Typically 5–8 inches long including the tail.
Asian House Gecko — Usually 3–5 inches long.

Amphibians (1)

Cane Toad

Insects (5)

Black Witch
Southern House Mosquito
Valley Carpenter Bee
Asian Tiger Mosquito
Yellow Fever Mosquito

Other Wildlife (20)

Thin-shelled Rock Crab
Indo-Pacific Rock-boring Urchin
Hawaiian Convict Surgeonfish
Pacific White-spotted Sea Cucumber
Red Pencil Urchin

Nature Bingo at Ala Kahakai Trail, Kaloko-honokōhau NHP

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)
Green Sea Turtle (reptile)
Cane Toad (amphibian)
kiawe (plant)

Botany Challenge

Abelmoschus
Abelmoschus Moschatus
Cyrtandra Hashimotoi
Gahnia Beecheyi
Panicum Beecheyi
Catharanthus Roseus

Ala Kahakai Trail, Kaloko-honokōhau NHP Trip Planning & Access

Time to plan the details — access, cost, and travel information for your visit.

Here are the logistics for getting to Ala Kahakai Trail and what to expect on arrival.

Nearest city: San Jose (2386 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $596.49 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 1927.8 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

Accessibility: dog-friendly (likely_allowed), family-friendly (excellent), elderly-friendly (highly_suitable).

Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
Families: excellent
Elderly: highly_suitable (Unpaved surface)
Strollers: possible (50/100)
Beginners: Good starting point (Moderate difficulty (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Places Near Ala Kahakai Trail, Kaloko-honokōhau NHP

Looking for more? Here's what else is close by.

Close-by alternatives and additions to your Ala Kahakai Trail visit include these 9 destinations.

Nearby Trails

Heiau Trail, Kaloko-honokōhau NHP 0.12 mi
Park Boundary Trail, Kaloko-honokōhau NHP 0.13 mi
Maintenance Road, Kaloko-honokōhau NHP 0.13 mi

Nearby Attractions

‘ai‘ōpio Fishtrap, Kaloko-honokōhau NHP 0.21 mi
‘aimakapā Fishpond, Kaloko-honokōhau NHP 0.38 mi
Kaloko Fishpond, Kaloko-honokōhau NHP 1.24 mi

Stargazing & Night Sky at Ala Kahakai Trail, Kaloko-honokōhau NHP

Clear nights in this area reveal more stars than most people expect.

The darkness at Ala Kahakai Trail is rated Bortle class 1, offering Excellent dark-sky site conditions year-round.

Bortle 1 Excellent dark-sky site

Meteor Showers

The Geminids peaks around December 13-14 and is the best meteor shower visible from here.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
Find a dark location away from city lights and give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust for peak rates.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (good)
Look toward the northern sky after midnight for the highest activity.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (good)
Expect fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs under dark skies.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Plan for early morning viewing; activity increases in the hours just before sunrise.
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (good)
Southern states often see stronger activity due to radiant placement.

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 Trail, Kaloko-honokōhau NHP

What you'll encounter here shifts with the calendar — here's a seasonal overview.

The experience at Ala Kahakai Trail shifts with the seasons. Here's a month-by-month overview.

Indigenous Land at Ala Kahakai Trail, Kaloko-honokōhau NHP

The history of this land reaches back long before it became a recreation destination.

Before trails were marked here, Nā moku ʻehā knew this land intimately.

Territories

Nā moku ʻehā

Languages

The languages traditionally spoken in this area include ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Hoailona ʻŌlelo o Hawaiʻi (Hawai’i Sign Language).

Data from Native Land Digital

Ala Kahakai Trail, Kaloko-honokōhau NHP Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Ala Kahakai 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: 102°F (1910-11-28)
Record Low: 40°F (1937-02-09)

Watershed

Watershed: Kawaihae Bay-Pacific Ocean

Ala Kahakai Trail, Kaloko-honokōhau NHP Safety & Conditions

Plans set? Check the latest conditions before you head out.

Before any visit to Ala Kahakai Trail, a quick check of these official sources can prevent surprises.

Flood zone: In FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone VE)