Hawaiian Travel Adventure: The Maunawili Demonstration Trail in Honolulu

If you are looking for a Hawaiian travel adventure and want to log some long distance hiking without much appreciable elevation gain or loss, the Maunawili Demonstration Trail (MDT) is the route to tackle.

The trail is a 10-mile point to point route. Except for long distance trail runners, most folks who hike this trail do it one way. You can do the one-way thing too. However, if you are looking to log a bunch of miles and burn a bunch of calories, say prior to opening your Christmas presents or eating your Thanksgiving dinner, then you can to the MDT as a 20-mile (count 'em) out-and-back.

How to Get There

Assuming a launch point from downtown Honolulu, take the Pali Highway over to the windward side. When you exit the tunnel on the Kailua side, proceed for about a mile. Just before a sharp bend in the highway, pull into a parking area on the right. Find a stall and park there.

If you are taking the city bus, hop aboard a 56 or 57. Exit at the stop at Kamehameha Highway and Pali Highway. This is the first the stop the bus will make after going through the tunnel. Walk a mile back up Pali Highway to the parking area.

Hike Description

Pick up the trail at the upper end of the parking lot. It climbs initially to gain elevation.

You will arrive at a signed junction. Bear left on the MDT. The trail heading up to the right goes to the Nu'uanu Pali Lookout.

For the most part after this, the path contours along the base of the Ko'olau Mountain Range toward Waimanalo. As mentioned earlier, no huge elevation gains or losses exist. As a result, the trail is a favorite for mountain bikers and runners as well as hikers.

You'll pass a watertank along the trail. You'll also enjoy panoramic vistas of Maunawili Valley and the summit of the Ko'olau Range. The pointed peaks you see to your left are Mount Olomana, another good hiking venue which I've written about.

Plan to cross several rocky streams. During rainy weather, water will flow down these streams and waterfalls will cascade down the steep slopes of the windward pali (cliffs). Magnificent.

Mileage markers have been placed along the trail. However, vegetation sometimes obscures these signs. Also, trail vandals deface and/or remove them, so don't count on the markers.

At about the 3-mile mark, you'll reach a signed junction. The trail to the left heading down a side-ridge goes to Maunawili Falls. Consider a trip down to the falls and a return back to Pali Highway as an alternative day hike on some other day.

But today the business at hand is getting to the end of the MDT. The trail continuously contours in and out of gulches.

Eventually, 10 miles and three or more hours after you began, you'll emerge on Waikupanaha Street in Waimanalo. Congratulations. You're at the halfway point (you are doing the 20-mile out and back, right?). Reverse field and head on back to the start.

So What If You Don't Want to Hike 10 miles Back?

Now if you want to end your hike trip here, you have a logistical wrinkle to iron. Remember that your car is a looong ways away in time and distance.

Here are some options: [1] Arrange for someone to pick you up. A ride can be just one cell phone call away. [2] Leave a car at this end. To do so, from Kailua heading south on Kalaniana'ole Highway, turn right onto Kumuhau Street. Follow Kumuhau, then turn right on Waikupanaha Street. Pass Mahiku Place on the right. Look for a fence and gate on the right. Park along the street, noting that this is an isolated area and prone to vehicle break-ins. [3] Walk to Kalanianaole and catch the bus. Board the #57-Honolulu Ala Moana. Exit at the stop on Kamehameha Highway and Pali Highway. Cross Pali Highway to the Kailua-bound side. Walk up the highway shoulder for a mile to the parking lot where you began.

Whatever you decide, have an enjoyable day along what some call the best trail on the island.