Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the island. Commissioned by King Pi'ilani in the 15th century, the
King's Highway
(or
alaloa,
“long road”) was used as a way for ruling chiefs and
ali'i
to move about the is-
land. Before there was a paved road connecting Hana with the rest of the central valley,
this footpath served as the only means for navigating treacherous ravines across some of
the most inaccessible parts of the island. Today, only scarce remnants of this ancient trail
are evident, but the most prominent section lies right here on the coastline leading south
from Wai'anapanapa. Parking for the trailhead is in the main lot of the state park. Along
the course of this three-mile trail, you'll weave around azure bays flanked by black sand,
pass beneath dense groves of dry
lau hala
trees, and gaze upon lava rock arches which
have been carved from the coastline by the often tumultuous sea.
Wear hiking boots, as the jagged
a'a
lava can rip rubber slippers to pieces. Carry plenty
of water as there are no facilities along trail. As you get closer to Hana Bay, the trail be-
comes a little more treacherous, and most visitors start from the Wai'anapanapa trailhead
and hike about halfway before turning back in the direction they came. To take the liter-
al road less traveled, continue to the north of Wai'anapanapa and pass a series of smaller
black sand coves before eventually emerging near the Hana Airport. Expect to devote at
least three hours to this trail if hiking round-trip from the trailhead, and for maximum dra-
matic effect, hike this trail at sunrise
For a quick and easy hike which still offers a rewarding view, the trail leading from the
Travaasa Hana parking lot up to
Fagan's Cross
will take most hikers about 20 minutes
and has a steep enough grade to offer a good leg workout. Keep a keen lookout for fresh
guavas growing on the trees, in addition to the fresh cow pies left by the free range cattle.
A two-mile long
walking trail
leads from the trail to Fagan's Cross south toward the
beach at Hamoa. The track is little more than flattened grass running through the pasture-
lands, although you'll have the coastal views all to yourself.
Kipahulu and Beyond
PIPIWAI TRAIL
Hands down,
Pipiwai Trail
is the best in Maui. In the Kipahulu section of Haleakala Na-
tional Park, the
Pipiwai Trail
is comprised of the upper portion of 'Ohe'o Gulch in the
area known as Seven Sacred Pools. While most visitors to 'Ohe'o only pay a cursory visit
to take photos, the Pipiwai Trail which runs
mauka
(mountain-side) of the highway is the
undisputed highlight of the Kipahulu section of the park. The four-mile trail is just long
enough to be adventurous and just short enough to be accessible, and the trail is at a moder-
ate enough grade that most hikers should be able to reach the end. Speaking of the end, the
