What to Do in Hawaii: Hike the Pu'u O Kona Trail

Pu'u o Kona is a rugged trail that is not often used except by the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club, the biggest and oldest of the hiking groups in Hawaii. If you cannot find this trail or if you have doubts and decide to turn back, you can hike the Kuliouou Ridge Trail, which is well-used and easy to follow. Kuliouou is accessed also at the end of Kala'au Place.

How to Get There

To drive the 11 miles there from downtown Honolulu, take H-1 eastbound and continue east as H-1 ends and transitions to Kalanianaole Highway just past Kahala Mall. Just about 4 miles later, turn left onto Kuliouou Road and head inland in Kuliouou Valley. Follow the signs to stay on Kuliouou Road for about a mile. When you reach a dead-end sign, turn right onto Kala'au Place. The trailhead is at the end of Kalaau.

If you travel by Oahu's fine city bus system, take Route 1 (Hawaii Kai). Disembark along Kalanianaole Highway by Kuliouou Road. Walk up Kuliouou Road and then up Kala'au Place to the trailhead. Plan on about a 20 minute jaunt from the highway.

Trail Description

Pu'u o Kona, done as an out-and-back hike, is 5 miles roundtrip. There is an elevation gain of about 2000 feet. The hike is for intermediate to advanced hikers.

The route begins along a paved road that leads to Kuliouou Stream. Where the road forks, continue to the left on down, still on the paved road. Cross a small bridge on the road over the stream. A water pumping station is adjacent. Along the right side of the road up an embankment is the start of the trail. Ribbons may mark this spot. If not, look for the trail. It is there.

The first section of the trail gets down to business right away and basically heads straight up the mountainside to gain the crest of the ridge on the valley's left (west) side. The climb up is steep but not technical and can be made more challenging if it is raining (read: slippery). Be careful on the return leg when descending steep sections.

This trail reaches the west ridge's crest in a grove of ironwood trees. Feel free to plop down and rest when you get there. The sound of the wind blowing through the ironwoods is relaxing to some and eerie to others. You decide what it is for you.

Take a visual reckoning of this spot so that on the return trip you avoid getting lost.

From the ironwood grove, turn right to head toward the summit. The trail, though not heavily traveled, is still distinct enough to follow. Note that upper sections can and do get overgrown with scratchy uluhe ferns and the invasive clidemia hirta plant.

Also note that there are some narrow, windswept sections near the summit. Be careful and keep your center of gravity low along these parts. If you have any doubts, there is nothing wrong with turning back.

At two places there are small cliffs to climb. Ropes and/or cable are affixed here for assistance. Always check all hand- and footholds before using. Again, if you have doubts or if you are feeling you're running on empty, no shame in turning around.

For those who persevere, the summit is acquired at Pu'u O Kona (elevation 2400 feet). Enjoy the beauty of the windward side below. The town you see is Waimanalo. Offshore is Waimanalo Bay, Manana Island (to the right) and Mokapu Peninsula (to the left).

I recommend returning the way you came. Another option is heading right along the summit to reach the top of the Kuliouou Trail. Note the one-mile summit section is overgrown, rugged, and narrow in places. Definitely not for those who are afraid of heights.