Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
glimpse of the island's elusive mouflon sheep. On the right side of the ridge is Maunalei
Gulch, a deep cleft in the island which at one point was home to the island's only free-
flowing stream. If you look closely on the valley floor, you can still notice an old service
road leading up to a pump house. Water from Maunalei once serviced the island's sugar
plantation.
Awehi Trail
Technically the
Awehi Trail
—like the Munro Trail—is a road and not a hike. You
wouldn't want to try and drive this in a rental though, given that the road is steep, eroded,
and a long way from help. The cool canopy of pine trees on the Munro Trail is swapped on
the Awehi for thorny kiawe trees offering no shade. Nevertheless, the rewards for hiking
the Awehi Trail are sweeping views stretching toward the island of Kaho'olawe and the
ability to walk from the eucalyptus and pine tree laden summit to an empty white sand
beach. Over the course of three miles the Awehi Trail switchbacks its way down the barren
slope of Lana'i's southeastern flank, eventually reaching a terminus on the shoreline not
far from Lopa Beach. Unless you have arranged for a car to pick you up at the bottom,
however, it's going to be a long and dusty climb back up. The start of the Awehi Trail is a
dirt track on the left side of the Munro Trail 1.2 miles south of the summit. You can either
park your car at a pullout off Munro Trail, or drive on the Awehi Trail until it gets too
sketchy to navigate safely. Good luck.
Naha Trail
Not too different from the Awehi Trail, the
Naha Trail
branches off the Munro Trail and
switchbacks down the back of the mountain to the remote southeastern shoreline. It's three
miles long, dusty, thorny, and has a terminus not far from Naha Beach. The start of the
Naha Trail is two miles south of the summit on Munro Trail. Bring plenty of water and a
sturdy pair of shoes capable of handling the vicious kiawe thorns.
Hiking Groups
If you would prefer to hike with a guide, contact
Hike Lana'i@
(808/258-2471,
www.hikelanai.com
)
. Guided hikes are offered to the shoreline of Kaunolu, the shoreline
of Kaiolohia, and the ridges and uplands that branch out from the Munro Trail. Most hikes
are a little over two hours. The hike along the shoreline at Kaiolohia is the easiest. Depend-
ing on the hike, prices vary between $90 for children (ages 10-12), to $125 for adults. The
guides are happy to “talkstory” about the island and its history.
