Here Are Some Travel Tips For Exploring Our Partner National Parks of Hawaiʻi!
Hawaiʻi Island and Maui national park sites offer a variety of ecosystems, landscapes, and cultural experiences. Let’s explore, and we will give you a couple of tips about where to stay, too!
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is perhaps the most iconic park in the state as two of the most active volcanoes on Earth, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, are within its borders. It is a geological wonder with diverse ecosystems from sea to summit, dramatic volcanic landscapes, and a rich Hawaiian cultural history and relevance.
Things to Do
Crater Rim Drive: Take this scenic drive halfway around the vast Kīlauea Caldera. If an eruption is underway, you may see lava in Halemaʻumaʻu Crater! If conditions allow, you might catch the pink, gold, or red glow in the active crater after sunset.
Nāhuku, formerly Thurston Lava Tube, is an ancient lava tube nestled in a lush rainforest, and you can walk right through it.
Wander down, across, and back up out of the charming Kīlauea Iki Crater.
Take the Chain of Craters Road from the summit of Kīlauea Volcano down to the coast, stopping to explore old and new lava flows and craters along the way.
Birdwatch the entire way! You may see some endemic honeycreepers in the forest, and some migratory seabirds at the rocky and dramatic coast.
Be respectful of Pele, the volcano deity believed to reside here: Avoid taking rocks or lava as souvenirs, and stay on the official trails. Fragile ecosystems are found throughout this World Heritage Site, and venturing off-trail can harm them.
If you have the chance, drive 45 minutes south to check out the tranquil Kahuku Unit of the park!
Closest Town for Accommodations
Volcano Village offers cozy B&Bs and quick access to the park.
Hilo Town is about 45 minutes away, with a wider selection of accommodations of all kinds. It is also a great base for other island adventures.
Shop the park: https://shop.hawaiipacificparks.org/collections/hawaii-volcanoes
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is an intensely sacred site, originally popularly known as the “Place of Refuge.” It was historically a sanctuary for those who broke kapu (Hawaiian law). It served as a place where one could seek forgiveness and protection from punishment. Located on the island's western coast, this park holds a tangible tranquility.
Things to Do
Walk the Royal Grounds along ancient heiau (temples), fishponds, and royal grounds that were once reserved for Hawaiian chiefs and priests.
Visit the puʻuhonua, a walled area designated as a sanctuary, and discover carvings and historic structures.
Ask about ranger talks or self-guided tours to learn about Hawaiian traditions and the history of the kapu system.
Resist the urge to touch or move objects: The stones and carvings within the park are culturally significant and should be respected. Honor the mana (spiritual power) of this beloved place. It’s important to visit with a spirit of reverence.
Closest Town for Accommodations
Captain Cook is about a 20-minute drive from the park. It offers bed-and-breakfast options and convenient access to other sites along the Kona Coast.
Kailua-Kona is about 40 minutes away, and provides a broader range of accommodations, dining, and shopping.
Shop the park for maps and guides: https://shop.hawaiipacificparks.org/collections/puuhonua-o-honaunau
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park is a beautiful coastal park that preserves Hawaiian culture and history within a rich environment of fishponds, beaches, and petroglyphs. It was established to protect historical fishponds, a fish trap, and the many archeological reminders of traditional Hawaiian life.
Things to Do
Learn about Kaloko Fishpond and ‘Aimakapā Fishpond. They demonstrate ancient Hawaiian aquaculture techniques.
Explore sections of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, which follows along the coast here.
Visit Honokōhau Beach to swim and to walk along the sandy shore, where you might spot honu (green sea turtles) resting or feeding. Always maintain 20–30ft. from Hawaiian sea turtles.
Stop by the visitor center and park store for a brochure that will guide you to Hawaiian petroglyphs along the trails.
Observe a respectful distance from all wildlife, including nesting wetland birds and Hawaiian monk seals.
Staying on trails helps protect the fragile coastal ecosystem and helps preserve sacred and historical sites.
Closest Town for Accommodations
Kailua-Kona is about 10 minutes away, and provides a broad range of accommodations, dining, and shopping.
Shop the park for books and apparel: https://shop.hawaiipacificparks.org/collections/kaloko-honokohau
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site protects Puʻukoholā Heiau, one of the last major temples built in the Hawaiian Islands and constructed by King Kamehameha I on the Kohala Coast as he sought to unite the islands. It offers views of a massive stone temple and glimpses into the powerful history of ancient Hawaiian rulers.
Things to Do
Learn about the impressive temple structure for which the site is named, Puʻukoholā Heiau, built in 1791 without mortar.
View Mailekini Heiau, a second, smaller heiau located nearby, with its stories of warfare and Hawaiian history. The heiau are sacred temples, and visitors are asked not to climb on or disturb the stones.
Discover the role of Kamehameha I in Hawaiian history and the importance of the building of this great heiau.
Whale watch from shore during the winter months, when the waters off the coast are frequented by humpback whales during their mating and calving season.
Rangers may be giving walks or talks, so make sure to check the schedule. Refrain from entering areas marked as off-limits to preserve the sanctity of the site.
Closest Town for Accommodations
Waimea is about 30 minutes from the park, and it offers an upcountry atmosphere with many vacation rentals.
Kawaihae is a small harbor town nearby with limited options but some food, shopping, and gas stations. The nearby Mauna Kea Resort area has high-end lodging.
Shop the park for cultural history: https://shop.hawaiipacificparks.org/collections/puuokohola-heiau
The Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail winds for 175 miles along the coast of Hawaiʻi Island, connecting significant cultural and historical sites. It showcases ancient pathways used by early Hawaiians, sacred places, and remnants of traditional Hawaiian life.
Things to Do
Hike sections of the trail: The trail isn’t completely continuous yet, but you can easily explore the sections transiting Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau or Kaloko-Honokōhau national historical parks.
Explore coastal sites like ancient fishing villages, heiau, and petroglyph fields.
Keep an eye out for wildlife, native plants, seabirds, and marine life.
Respect the trail as you would a historical monument. It follows ancient, historic pathways that had and have a spiritual and practical purpose.
Pack out what you pack in, and help preserve these trails by not leaving litter behind.
Closest Towns for Accommodations
Kailua-Kona Town provides easy access to multiple sections of the Ala Kahakai NH Trail.
Waimea and Hilo Town are located on the northern and eastern parts of the island, farther away from easily accessed parts of the NHT, but these towns offer a range accommodations.
Shop the trail for hiking essentials: https://shop.hawaiipacificparks.org/collections/alka
Haleakalā National Park on Maui has two districts on the massive bulk of Haleakalā Volcano: Summit and Kīpahulu. Take a few days to visit them both. The park is famous for sunrises and sunsets at the summit parking lots and trails that begin along the road to the summit, as well as for waterfalls, trails, and stunning coastal views in Kīpahulu.
Things to Do
Explore your options on the Keoneheʻeheʻe (Sliding Sands) and Halemauʻu trails that lead into the summit wilderness. There is no drinking water and the weather is wildly unpredictable, so come prepared. Rare endemic silversword plants make for great photography.
Rangers sometimes hold full moon or starwatch programs. Check the park website and social accounts to see what is on offer.
Camp in Hosmer Grove and birdwatch. The endangered and endemic forest birds of Maui are drawn to the flowering trees here.
In Kīpahulu, wander the trail from the visitor center and park store down to the coastline to marvel at the intersection of stream, ocean, and sky. Look for seabirds and, in the winter, humpback whales. Camping is an option in this part of the park, as well.
The Pīpīwai Trail offers waterfalls, tropical forest, and the chance to burn off some travel calories.
Hawaiian archeological sites are found all through both districts of the park. Protect them by leaving them undisturbed.
Closest Towns for Accommodations
The Summit District of the park is best reached from the main town of Kahului, Paia Town, or Haʻiku Town, all of which offer a mix of accommodations.
The Kīpahulu District is a three hour drive from any town except nearby Hana Town, which is small but does offer some vacation accommodations. It is best to research those and plan early.
Shop the park for maps and guides: https://shop.hawaiipacificparks.org/collections/haleakala-national-park
We hope this will give you a base from which to plan your next Hawaiʻi national parks adventure! Always check national park websites and social media for changes, weather, closures, and other updates.
Images courtesy Janice Wei and David Schoonover.