Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The serene view from Puu Ohia Trail.
UALAKAA LOOP
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The same series of volcanic eruptions that produced Diamond Head and Koko Crater also
produced the cinder cones of Round Top (Puu Ualakaa), Sugarloaf (Puu Kakea), and Tantalus
(Puu Ohia). Puu, as you may have already guessed, means “hill”; these three hills overlook
Honolulu and offer spectacular views. The easy Ualakaa Loop Trail is a half-hour hike of
about a mile that traverses through woods, offering occasional panoramic views of Honolulu.
No bus serves this trail head. Follow the directions for the Puu Ohia hike, above, but in-
stead of driving to the top of Round Top Drive, turn of on the fourth major hairpin turn (look
for it after a long stretch of panoramic straightaway). The turn will go through the gate of
Puu
UalakaaStateWaysidePark.
Continue a little more than 4 miles inside the park; look for a
stand of Norfolk pine trees and park there. The trail head is on the right side of the Norfolk
pines. The park is open 7am to 7:45pm from April 1 to Labor Day; in winter, the park closes at
6:45pm.
The loop trail, lined with impatiens, passes through Norfolk pines, palm trees, ironwoods,
and Christmas berry trees. The once-native forest now has many foreign intru-
sions—including all of the foregoing—as well as ti, banana, banyan, guava, and mountain
apple. At two points along the trail, you emerge on Round Top Drive; just walk about 100 feet
to continue on the trail on the opposite side of the road. The loop will bring you back to where
you started.
Pearl City Hikes
UPPER WAIMANO TRAIL
