Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The
aliʻi
(royalty) forced the
makaʻainana
(commoners) to abandon their crops and
work the forest. When the pit was full, the wood was strapped onto the backs of the
laborers, who hauled it down to the harbor for shipment to China. After all the mature
trees were cut down, the
makaʻainana
pulled up every new sapling, sparing their chil-
dren the misery of forced harvesting.
Waikolu Lookout
LOOKOUT
MAP
At 3600ft, Waikolu Lookout provides a breathtaking view into the steep Waikolu Valley
and out to the ocean beyond. After rains, the white strands of numerous waterfalls accent
the sheer cliffs and fill the valley with a dull roar. Morning is best for clear views, but if
it's foggy, have a snack at the picnic bench and see if it clears.
The wide, grassy
Waikolu Lookout camp-ground
is directly opposite the lookout. If
you can bear the mist and cold winds that sometimes blow up from the canyon, this
could make a base camp for hikes into the preserve. The site has a picnic pavilion. Bring
water. No open fires are allowed and state camping permits are required.
Kamakou Preserve
Since 1982, the Nature Conservancy has managed the Kamakou Preserve, which in-
cludes cloud forest, bogs, shrub land and habitat for many endangered plants and anim-
als. Its 2774 acres of native ecosystems start immediately beyond the Waikolu Lookout
and feature over 230 native plant species.
Much of the preserve is forested with
ʻohiʻa lehua
, a native tree with fluffy red blos-
soms, whose nectar is favored by native birds. It is home to the ʻ
apapane
(bright-red
Hawaiian honeycreeper),
ʻamakihi
(yellow-green honeyeater) and pueo (Hawaiian owl).
Other treasures include tree ferns, native orchids and silvery lilies.
Sights & Activities
Pepeʻopae Trail
HIKING
The hike back through three million years of evolution on the Pepeʻopae Trail is the star
where you'll enjoy a valley view of fantastic depth and, if it's not foggy, the ocean bey-
ond.
