Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lookout , where it's possible to peer through a gap in the steep pali (cliffs) over to the
Windward Coast.
From the Ala Moana Center, take hourly TheBus 5 Manoa Valley to the end of the
line, from where it's a 0.5-mile uphill walk past Treetops Restaurant through Paradise
Park to the trailhead. By car, follow University Ave north of the UH Manoa campus.
Continue onto Oʻahu Ave, taking the right fork when the road splits, and follow Manoa
Rd up to the private parking lot ($5). Free on-street parking may be available downhill
from the bus stop, but pay attention to all signposted restrictions to avoid being ticketed
and towed.
Makiki Valley Trails HIKING
A favorite workout for city dwellers, the 2.5-mile Makiki Valley Loop links three Tan-
talus area trails. These trails are usually muddy, so wear shoes with traction and pick up a
walking stick. The loop cuts through a lush tropical forest, mainly composed of nonnat-
ive species introduced to reforest an area denuded by Hawaii's 19th-century ʻiliahi (san-
dalwood) trade.
The Maunalaha Trail crosses a small stream, passes taro patches and climbs up the
eastern ridge of Makiki Valley, passing Norfolk pine, banyans, bamboo and some clear
views. Look out below for the tumbled-down remains of ancient Hawaiian stone walls
and a historic coffee plantation. After 0.7 miles, you'll reach a four-way junction.
Continue uphill on the 1.1-mile Makiki Valley Trail , which traverses small gulches and
crosses gentle streams bordered by patches of ginger and guava trees while offering
glimpses of the city below. The 0.7-mile Kanealole Trail begins as you cross Kanealole
Stream, then follows the stream back down through a field of Job's tears - the beadlike
psuedocarps ('false fruit') of the female flowers of this tall grass are sometimes used for
lei - to return to the forest baseyard.
Alternatively, a more strenuous 6.2-mile hike beginning from the same trailhead even-
tually leads to sweeping views of the valley and the ocean beyond. This Manoa Cliffs
Circuit , aka the 'Big Loop,' starts on the same Maunalaha Trail, then takes the Moleka
Trail to the Manoa Cliff , Kalawahine and Nahuina Trails . At the Kalawahine Trail inter-
section, you can detour right onto the Pauoa Flats Trail to reach the Nuʻuanu Valley
Lookout . From the lookout, backtrack to the Kalawahine Trail, then connect via the
Nahuina Trail with the Kanealole Trail, which rolls downhill back to the forest baseyard.
The starting point for both hiking loops is Makiki Forest Recreation Area (2135 Makiki
Heights Dr) , less than 0.5 miles up Makiki Heights Dr from Makiki St. Where the
road makes a sharp left turn, drive straight ahead through an open green gate into the
forest baseyard. Park along the shoulder just inside the gate or in a small unpaved park-
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