Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Large sections of the 1238-acre reserve (
http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw
)
are closed to
visitors until July 31, 2014, which will allow the Department of Land and Resource Man-
agement to protect the fragile environment from tourist wear-and-tear and to develop a
long-term protection plan. Visitation in the north is still permitted between 5:30am and
7:30pm.
La Pérouse Bay
Earth and ocean merge at La Pérouse Bay with a raw desolate beauty that's almost eerie.
Historians originally thought that the blast occurred in 1790, but more recent analysis in-
dicates that the lava flow occurred about 200 to 300 years earlier. Before the blast the an-
cient Hawaiian village of Keoneʻoʻio flourished here, and its remains - mainly house and
heiau platforms - can be seen scattered among the lava patches. From the volcanic
shoreline look for pods of spinner dolphins, which commonly come into the bay during
the early part of the day. The combination of strong offshore winds and rough waters rule
out swimming, but it's an interesting place to explore on land.
Activities
Makena Stables
HORSEBACK RIDING
MAP
(
879-0244;
www.makenastables.com
;
Makena Rd; 3hr trail rides $145-170; 8am-6pm)
Located just before the road ends, Makena Stables offers morning and sunset horseback
rides across the lava flows and up the scenic slopes of ʻUlupalakua Ranch.
Hoapili (King's Highway) Trail
HIKING
From La Pérouse Bay, this trail follows an ancient path along the coastline across jagged
lava flows. Be prepared: wear hiking boots, bring plenty to drink, start early and tell
someone where you're going. It's a dry area with no water and little vegetation, so it can
get very hot.
The first part of the trail is along the sandy beach at La Pérouse Bay. Right after the
trail emerges onto the lava fields, it's possible to take a spur trail for three-quarters of a
mile down to the light beacon at the tip of Cape Hanamanioa. Alternatively, walk inland
to the Na Ala Hele sign and turn right onto the King's Hwy as it climbs through
ʻaʻa
(rough, jagged lava) inland for the next 2 miles before coming back to the coast to an
older lava flow at Kanaio Beach. Although the trail continues, it becomes harder to fol-
