Established in November 14, 2000, the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail winds along the coastline of Hawaiʻi Island, connecting four of the six Hawaiian land divisions called moku, or districts. It braids together fisherman’s trails along the coastline and historic paths through vast lava fields that are remnants of the original Hawaiian ala loa (long way). In some places it intersects the original mountain to ocean trails. The trail runs through sand, rough and tumbled lava fields, through meadows and along natural edges and cliffs. Much of it is unshaded and there is no water for drinking. In some places it has been overlaid with motorized vehicle trails, or been rerouted or even wiped out by natural events like tsunamis or more recent lava flows. Hawaiian archeological sites are found all along its length: please do not disturb them.
Anchialine pools are found in places near the trail, exquisitely delicate brackish pools in the porous lava fields that are fed by ground water and the nearby ocean. They contain small shrimp and other organisms that may be found nowhere else on Earth, and can easily be damaged by sunscreen and other skin and hair products introduced by those who would enter the pools. Tidepools exposed at low tide can harbor hermit and other crabs, anemones and limpets. Birdwatchers will find shorebirds, seabirds, and other native and non-native birds along the trail, and wintertime between November and May can offer spectacular whale watching as the humpbacks arrive in Hawaiian waters to mate and calve.
There is no central visitor center or check-in for the trail, but where the trail traverses the boundaries of fee-charging national parks (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park) there can be entry fees.
Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association park stores located in the visitor centers of the four Hawaiʻi Island national park sites offer water bottles, apparel, and more.
You can also shop the trail here: https://shop.hawaiipacificparks.org/collections/alka
Getting to the Trail
The trail passes through public and private lands and provides access to numerous beaches, resorts and cultural sites. Open sections of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail can be accessed within the four National Parks on the Island of Hawaiʻi including Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
The available maps are here: https://www.nps.gov/alka/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Operating Hours
24 hours a day year-round.
*Trail access may change due to emergency situations, without notice.
Weather and Safety Conditions
The coast of Hawaiʻi Island 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.
Safety information is here: https://www.nps.gov/alka/planyourvisit/safety.htm
