Strenuous King's Highway hike along lava flow, spectacular shoreline,
secluded coves and many ancient archaeological sites. Shady
part-way. Dolphins are often seen in the bay.
HOAPILI TRAIL
(5.5 Miles)
ACCESS: Take Kihei Road
(31) going south. The pavement ends just past Makena State
Park where a dirt road continues to Makena Village. From
there it becomes quite rough, continuing another 5 miles
through the Ahini-Kinau Natural Area Reserve to La Perouse
Bay. This section should not be attempted in a standard
sedan. Jeeps and pickups are better suited for it. ROUTE:
This trail follows Maui's southern coastline form La Perouse
Bay east 5.5 miles to Kanaio Beach. It follows the Hawaiian
"King's Highway" almost entirely through the barren, jagged
lava flows of Maui's most recent eruptions of the 1700's.
The climate here is exceedingly dry and the lava flows are
nearly devoid of vegetation. The trail itself is very rough
for the first few miles and is closed to even the use of
four-wheel drive vehicles as many end up stuck or damaged by
the jagged rocks. The trail along the Hoapili Trail is easy
to follow. Smooth stepping stones were laid out to form a
path through the lava flows so that the kings and their
retinues could easily travel around the island exacting
taxes and tribute from their people in the various
districts. The first part of the trail passes through kiawe
trees along a portion of sandy beach at La Perouse Bay. It
then climbs up onto a rough lava field which it traverses
for 2.0 miles inland from the coast. Just past the beach a
.75 mile spur trail heads down to the tip of Cape Hanamanioa
where a Coast Guard lighthouse is situated along a low sea
cliff. Past the 2.0 mile lava flow the trail hits the coast
again at the beginning of an older flow. This flow is thinly
vegetated with kiawe and other dryland plants and is the
site of many old Hawaiian stone walls and house foundations.
It is the beginning of a broad stretch of coastline known as
Kanaio Beach. There are many narrow coves with pebble or
coral beaches. After about a mile of this older flow, the
trail hits another recent lava flow 2.5 miles wide that
originated from the big cinder cone, Pimoe, 3.0 miles
inland. The trail again passes inland nearly a mile from the
sea and goes straight across the point to a last small
portion of older flow along the coast. Just past this cove
the King's Highway leaves state land and passes out of our
jurisdiction. Pole fishing along the coast is excellent but
the area is extremely hot and dry and there is no water or
other facilities. If you are hiking into this area you must
be self-sufficient. Hiking boots are a must. Camping is
permitted along the coast beyond the end of the first big
flow at Kanaio Beach. The land around La Perouse Bay and the
lighthouse is privately owned and camping is not permitted.
HAWAII STATE DEPARTMENT OF
LAND & NATURAL RESOURCES
Division of Forestry & Wildlife
54 South High Street Wailuku, HI 96793
Tel. (808) 984-8100
Free Maui hiking trail information including information on
the state Na Ala Hele trail system and free recreation maps.
HAWAII STATE PARKS
Dept. Of Land & Natural Resources
54 South High Street, Rm. 101 Wailuku, HI 96793
Tel. (808) 984-8109
Hours: 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. (Closed Weekends and State
Holidays) Information and free site maps on hiking in Maui's
state parks.
MAUI COUNTY PARKS
Department of Parks and Recreation
1580C Kaahumanu Avenue Wailuku, HI 96793
Tel. (808) 243-7389
Hours: 7:45 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Mon.-Fri. (Closed
weekends/holidays) Free information on Maui's county parks.
NATURE CONSERVANCY OF HAWAII
81 Makawao Avenue, Suite 203A Makawao, HI
96768
Tel. (808) 572-7849
The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, a non-profit organization,
has several preserves on Maui including the Kapunakea
Preserve, and the Waikamoi Preserve. The Conservancy's
mission is to protect the finest remaining examples of
native plants, animals and natural communities in Hawaii by
protecting the places they need to survive. Call for
information on hikes, volunteer work trips, and memberships,
or visit their site.
