Historic Site and Historical Park · NPS · HI
Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Photo: NPS Photo, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Alerts and conditions
Overview
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).
From the National Park Service
History
The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.
What to see and do
Activities
- Arts and Culture
- Cultural Demonstrations
- Auto and ATV
- Scenic Driving
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Road Biking
- Boating
- Motorized Boating
- Sailing
- Boat Tour
- Camping
- Canoe or Kayak Camping
- Car or Front Country Camping
- Group Camping
- RV Camping
- Compass and GPS
- Geocaching
- Orienteering
- Fishing
- Saltwater Fishing
- Food
- Picnicking
- Guided Tours
- Self-Guided Tours - Walking
- Self-Guided Tours - Auto
- Hands-On
- Arts and Crafts
- Hiking
- Front-Country Hiking
- Paddling
- Canoeing
- Canoe or Kayak Camping
- Kayaking
- Stand Up Paddleboarding
- Junior Ranger Program
- SCUBA Diving
- Snorkeling
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Saltwater Swimming
- Wildlife Watching
- Birdwatching
Plan your visit
Hours
Ala Kahakai: Hours vary dependent on trail section.
Getting there
Open sections of the Ala Kahakai NHT can be accessed through the four Hawai'i Island National Parks: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes NP, Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau NHP, Kaloko-Honokōhau NHP and Pu'ukoholā Heiau NHS. The Nā Ala Hele State Trails and Access Programʻs "Ala Kahakai Trail" in South Kohala is also open to the public. Additional sections of the trail are opened as they are sufficiently managed to protect the trail and associated areas.
Weather
Hawaiʻiʻs coast is generally sunny and hot. Be prepared with sun protection (hat, mineral-based sunscreen, sunglasses and long sleeves) and water (minimum 2 liters of water per person per day for short hikes). Before visiting the Trail, check weather forecasts and follow all warnings and advisories: - https://www.weather.gov/hfo/ - www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts
Phone: (808) 217-0307
Whose lands these are
These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.
Photos
Pair it with
- Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park NPS · 19 miles
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park NPS · 30 miles
- Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park NPS · 38 miles
- Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site NPS · 61 miles
- Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge FWS · 63 miles
- Haleakalā National Park NPS · 109 miles