Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Established in 2000 to preserve, protect and interpret traditional Native Hawaiian culture and natural resources, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail is a 175 mile corridor encompassing a network of culturally and historically significant trails. This "trail by the sea" traverses wahi pana (storied landscapes), ancient Hawaiian sites and over 200 ahupuaʻa (traditional land divisions). Connect now!
Open sections of the Ala Kahakai NHT can be accessed through the four Hawai'i Island National Parks: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes NP, Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau NHP, Kaloko-Honokōhau NHP and Pu'ukoholā Heiau NHS. The Nā Ala Hele State Trails and Access Programʻs "Ala Kahakai Trail" in South Kohala is also open to the public. Additional sections of the trail are opened as they are sufficiently managed to protect the trail and associated areas.
- Arts and Culture
- Cultural Demonstrations
- Auto and ATV
- Scenic Driving
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Road Biking
- Boating
- Motorized Boating
- Sailing
- Boat Tour
- Camping
- Canoe or Kayak Camping
- Car or Front Country Camping
- Group Camping
- RV Camping
- Compass and GPS
- Geocaching
- Orienteering
- Fishing
- Saltwater Fishing
- Food
- Picnicking
- Guided Tours
- Self-Guided Tours - Walking
- Self-Guided Tours - Auto
- Hands-On
- Arts and Crafts
- Hiking
- Front-Country Hiking
- Paddling
- Canoeing
- Canoe or Kayak Camping
- Kayaking
- Stand Up Paddleboarding
- Junior Ranger Program
- SCUBA Diving
- Snorkeling
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Saltwater Swimming
- Wildlife Watching
- Birdwatching
- Architecture and Building
- Archeology
- Ruins
- Arts
- Sculpture
- Explorers and Expeditions
- Pacific Islander Heritage
- Religion and Spirituality
- Heiau
- Schools and Education
- Transportation
- Roads, Routes and Highways
- Ancient Seas
- Animals
- Birds
- Fish
- Coasts, Islands and Atolls
- Forests and Woodlands
- Rainforest
- Oceans
- Coral Reefs
- Scenic Views
- Trails
- The Tropics
- Volcanoes
- Waterfalls
Waiulaula Bay
Sandy beach after a storm
Ancient ala hele trail, South Kohala
A horizontal color photo of an ancient coastal trail meandering from the bottom right corner of the photo towards the top left. The gravel trail is lined with white coral rocks along its left side, and extends through a rough a’a lava field. To the right
On the historic Kiholo-Puako Trail
A group of people including men, women and children walk in a single file line away from the camera, on a wide, straight, historic trail that cuts through a rough ʻaʻa lava field. The trail appears as a light grey, against the darker lava lining it, the
On the historic Kiholo-Puako Trail
A group of people including men, women and children walk in a single file line away from the camera, on a wide, straight, historic trail that cuts through a rough ʻaʻa lava field. The trail appears as a light grey, against the darker lava lining it, the
On the historic Kiholo-Puako Trail
A group of people including men, women and children walk in a single file line away from the camera, on a wide, straight, historic trail that cuts through a rough ʻaʻa lava field. The trail appears as a light grey, against the darker lava lining it, the