What to Do in Hawaii: Hike the Kamiloiki Ridge Trail

Also called the Pahua Heiau Trail, the Kamiloiki Ridge Trail is a route that is almost always mudfree, even during the rainiest times on Oahu. It's about six miles roundtrip and terminates at a Ko'olau summit overlook of the Waimanalo on the windward side of Oahu in Hawaii.

How To Get There

The trailhead is Makahuena Place in Hawaii Kai on the island's east end. Starting at downtown Honolulu, the drive is about 13 miles. To begin, head eastbound on H-1 freeway. Just past Kahala Mall, H-1 ends and transitions to Kalanianaole Highway. Continue east on Kalanianaole, passing Aina Haina, Niu Valley and several beaches. Before climbing a hill leading to Hanauma Bay (you are still on Kalanianaole), turn left onto Lunalilo Home Road. Proceed for 1.7 miles and turn left onto Hawaii Kai Drive. Turn right onto Waioli Street and then left onto Makahuena. Street parking is limited on Makahuena so if necessary park on Waioli or a nearby sidestreet.

If traveling by city bus, take Route #1 and exit at Lunalilo Home Road and Hawaii Kai Drive. The walk to the trailhead from there is about two minutes.

Hike Description

The trail begins adjacent to an ancient Hawaiian temple called a heiau, specifically Pahua Heiau. Out of respect, avoid tramping on the rocky heiau grounds. Also, keep quiet out of respect for area residents.

To start the hike, look for the trail on the left side of the heiau grounds. The path will switchback a couple of times to gain the ridgetop. Once atop the ridge proper, head left toward the summit of the Ko'olau Range.

Views of Kamiloiki Valley to the right and Kamilonui Valley to the left will commence in short order. Looking rearward from where you began, you'll see the huge mass of Koko Crater.

In the lower two thirds of the trail, the ridge is rocky and dry. You will see an array of dryland shrub vegetation and cacti along the way.

Plan to hike up and over and around several nobs on the ridge, doing some minor rock hopping at times.

As you approach the summit, the trail may be obscured by overgrowth of wheat-like grass. Look for trail ribbons to guide you through this section. The trail will open up in a forest of tall eucalyptus and ironwood trees. Watch for the path as it switchbacks right then left to gain elevation.

You will arrive at the summit of the Koolaus in a grove of trees. Be careful here for the dropoff is precipitous, in the order of hundreds of feet. From the top, below is the town of Waimanalo, with its many fine beaches of awesome white sand.

Feel free to explore to the summit ridge to the left and right for different views. If you wonder very far, plan to make mental note of the summit junction for your return trip.

All in all, a wonderful hike-not too long, not overly taxing, wonderful views at the end.