Hiking the Kahaualeʻa Trail on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi
Distance (Roundtrip): 7.6 miles / 12.2 km
The Kahaualeʻa Trail, also known as the Captain’s Trail, on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi is a weird trail. I don’t know how else to say it.
If there’s ever a trail where you ask yourself, 'What am I doing?' or 'What’s the point of this hike?' that’s Kahaualeʻa. If there’s also ever a trail where I felt like I could go hiking and never be seen again, it’s also Kahaualeʻa.
That being said, I chose to hike the Kahaualeʻa Trail because there was so little information about the hike online before I posted this. It left me curious, but needless to say, this was not a trail that I should have started with less than two and a half hours of daylight, and I know myself to be a very good and very fast Hawaiʻi hiker.
I say this because the entire Kahaualeʻa Trail traverses through a very thick, poorly marked rainforest, and yes, there are unmarked turns! On top of this, I kept getting a weird feeling about the forest in my gut because within the first 2.0 miles (3.2 km) of the trailhead, I passed someone else’s trash and clothes draped across the trees, and I say this knowing full and well that there can be some not-so-safe people who live off-grid on the Big Island.
However, I kept pushing further and further because I was tracking the hike very meticulously, only to learn that the posted 3.4-mile (5.5 km) one-way distance was wrong! When I reached 3.4 miles (5.5 km), I was a frustrated, confused because of the turns, and also determined to finish the trail since I felt that I was so close—not to mention, I was also positive that I recorded one of my more accurate distances because I was moving so fast.
Overall, I’m not sure that I would ever recommend hiking Kahaualeʻa to anyone else, and I say this knowing that I hiked the trail in very ideal weather.
Kahaualeʻa Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Kahaualeʻa Trail is located at the very end of Cook’s Drive off of Highway 11.
Out of caution, do not leave bags or any valuables visible in your car. Don’t take what I said above to think that my thoughts about the trail mean that parking here is unsafe, but in my experience, trailheads in areas that are poorly trafficked usually have the most problems in Hawaiʻi. Areas with high amounts of foot traffic tend to deter would-be thieves.
Google Maps Directions: Kahaualeʻa Trailhead
My Hawaiʻi Hiking Checklist
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Kahaualeʻa Trail
Overall, the Kahaualeʻa Trail has no noticeable elevation change.
However, the winding trail through the dense forest is more challenging than anything else in my opinion. But if it’s raining or has been recently raining, the mud on Kahaualeʻa may present another challenge.
I fully recognize that any one of these photos doesn’t distinguish certain points of the trail from another, but at the least, try to take mental notes of the two turns later in this post.
This is just one out of a number large cracks to watch out for along the trail. I couldn’t see the bottom on any of these cracks.
Kahaualeʻa Emergency Helipad Junction
The emergency helicopter pad is the only mental halfway checkpoint on Kahaualeʻa.
I didn’t go explore the helipad because I felt that time wasn’t on my side, but it doesn’t surprise me that people may get in trouble back here.
Unmarked Turn 1
I can only hope that this trail, meaning these turns, will become better marked in the future. Please comment below if they do.
In any case, go left at the first split to reach the Kahaualeʻa lava flow.
Unmarked Turn 2
Then, not long after the first turn, the Kahaualeʻa comes to another unmarked junction.
Go right at this second split to reach the lava flow and the Puʻu ʻŌʻō viewpoint.
After the second turn, there is one more earth crack to watch out for.
This last one may have been the most hidden, as it was the most overgrown in my experience.
Kahaualeʻa Lava Flow
With almost no warning, the Kahaualeʻa Rainforest comes to an abrupt end at the Kahaualeʻa lava flow from 2014.
Kahaualeʻa Lava Flow (Puʻu ʻŌʻō)
When I reached the Kahaualeʻa lava flow, it was honestly hard to tell myself why I chose to hike the Kahaualeʻa Trail. I think I was hoping to see the coastal view that may be visible closer to Puʻu ʻŌʻō.
According to the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), venturing across the Kahaualeʻa lava flow to Puʻu ʻŌʻō is off-limits, as special permissions are required from the National Park Service to explore Puʻu ʻŌʻō.
Second Turn (First on the Return Hike)
As the sun was getting lower and lower on my return hike, these two turns were trickier than I imagined to find again.
Remember to go left at the first split to stay on the Kahaualeʻa Trail.
First Turn (Second on the Return Hike)
It was this first turn, or second turn, on the return hike that was the trickiest to find. I ended up taking some wrong spur trail for a second before realizing it wasn’t correct.
Remember, at this first turn, second on the way back, to go right to keep on Nā Ala Hele trail.
Native Plants on the Kahaualeʻa Trail
The Kahaualeʻa Trail starts off through a very non-native and invasive forest filled with Strawberry Guava and Koster's Curse, to name a few species.
However, as the trail moves deeper into the rainforest, Kahaualeʻa becomes more and more native, with species like ʻŌhiʻa, Hāpuʻu, Kanawao, ʻIeʻie, Maua, Uluhe, and ʻŌlapa, to truly name only a few.
If you would like to learn more about these and tons of other native plants from across the islands, I encourage you to read more in my separate post.
Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide
More Big Island Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing Hawaiʻi Island adventures, check out my separate posts below!
Best Hotels & Vacation Rentals on Hawaiʻi Island
Since Hawaiʻi Island is such a big island, I recommend starting your search on VRBO to find places in both Kona and Hilo.
This way, you can plan your adventures on all sides of the island without having to drive too far.
Island of Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi Island Airport-Hotel Shuttle
Prices on ride-share apps like Uber/ Lyft cannot beat the price of booking your hotel or vacation rental shuttle prior to arrival.
That being said, the shuttle option below is incredibly cheap, and it’s a great option to get to accommodations across the Kailua-Kona side of the Big Island!
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
One of my favorites!
Visiting Other Islands
If you are visiting Hawaiʻi Island or heading to another island, check out some of my personal recommendations for Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Molokai, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island) in these separate posts.
If you’re trying to decide which island is right for your visit, check out my overview about each island in the post below.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Hawaiian Island to Visit?
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
The weather in Hawaiʻi can often appear to be warm and beautiful throughout the year, but in my experience, there is a lot more to consider when planning what time of year to visit the islands, such as what island you are considering, what sides of each island do you plan to stay, what activities are you most interested in, the wildlife, and countless other nuanced variables that can all impact the type of trip you can expect to have.
For these reasons, I highly recommend reading through my separate article to not only understand my thoughts regarding the best time of year to come to Hawaiʻi but also what you need to consider based on the time of year that you plan to visit.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
Safety
All hikes in Hawaiʻi should not be compared to trails outside of the islands, and hikers should exercise due caution on every adventure, given that many are extremely dangerous.
By this, I mean that Hawaiʻi is known for hot, humid weather, steep, dramatic, and unstable cliffs, and flash floods, which can occur without warning. Therefore, it is important that you check the local forecast, understand the physical condition of your entire group, and pack sufficient food and water before attempting any adventure.
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