Awaawapuhi Trail

Saturday turned out to be a great day to hike Awaawapuhi trail from up in Kokeʻe out to an overlook of the Napali coast. This trail begins at 4000 feet descending through forest then opening up affording views of the wooded valleys on either side and entering drier terrain as it approaches the pali (cliffs) that dominate the shoreline on this side of the island.

Details: Six miles round trip going from 4000 to 2500 feet elevation and back. About five hours at moderate pace. Drive to Waimea and head mauka (to the mountains) on 550, 1.7 miles past the Kokeʻe Lodge parking lot. Trailhead parking is at GPS 22.141386,-159.648606.

I suggest starting early for this hike as it is often hot in the afternoon for the climb back up and out. Not recommended in the rain, when significant rain is forecast, or following heavy rains as the sloping trail can be slippery when it gets muddy. Check the weather for Kokeʻe ahead or you can ask at the Kokeʻe Museum if they are open. See seasonal and other Kokeʻe weather info here. Also see earlier post for this trail: it is a favorite standby and never disappointing repeating.

Much of the trail meanders through forest providing a chance to see quite an impressive variety of plant life. Stop from time to time (when the helicopters aren't around) and listen to the birds - at times they provide rich birdsong. About half way out you come to the first break in the trees where a wash out gives you a view to the right of the Honopu valley right at a sheer drop-off next to the trail. Further on to the left throughout the last mile you will see the Nualolo valley on your left.

The most dramatic views are at trail's end overlooking the cliffs. The trail ends just a little past the three mile point. To your left is a grand view over Nualolo valley. To your right and ahead is your first view of the Awaawapuhi valley. Check out the near vertical cliff walls shown at right, but don't get close to the edge yourself as it is about half a mile straight down.

Cliff trail closure: This trail was the return leg of my favorite longer hike in Kokeʻe, the Nualolo Awaawapuhi loop, now closed. The connecting cliff trail washed out, due to overuse while wet the knowledgeable person at Kokeʻe Museum made a point of saying. Now an environmental impact study is required as the first step in a long process of creating a new trail through higher up the mountain. Sounds like it will be years before the loop reopens.

With the cliff trail closed now one much choose between the two out-and-back trails. The Awaawapuhi is the shorter and easier trail, starting about two miles further up 550. The Nualolo trail starts just a block before the Kokeʻe Lodge and Museum parking lot, and is longer and steeper but takes you further out over the pali. Both offer spectacular views of the Na Pali cliffs from their respective sides of Nualolo Aina valley, at Awaawapuhi this is on your left (from Nualolo trail it is on the right). Both of these side-by-side trails (with a good sized valley in between) are worth seeing, but choose one according to conditions and your hiking experience if time is limited, and perhaps the other on your next visit.