Hiking the Kaulana Manu Nature Trail on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi
Distance: 0.6 miles / 1.0 km
The Kaulana Manu Nature Trail, formerly known as Kīpuka 21, is undoubtedly one of the best things to do on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, and it’s also my personal favorite day hike off Saddle Road between Hilo and Kailua-Kona.
I say this because the Kaulana Manu Nature Trail is one of the best effort-to-reward hikes on the Big Island, as visitors have a relatively easy opportunity to walk through a beautifully preserved Hawaiian forest among the vast lava flows that can be see in all directions off Saddle Road.
That said, throughout the Kaulana Manu Loop, hikers will have the opportunity to experience a true Hawaiian forest filled with plants and birds found nowhere else on Earth, which really is something special in Hawaiʻi, considering that the vast majority of plants and birds found at lower elevations are not native to the islands.
Kaulana Manu Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Kaulana Manu Nature Trail is located in large paved parking lot directly off Saddle Road.
Generally speaking, Kaulana Manu isn’t as busy of a trail as you might see in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, meaning that finding a parking spot should never be an issue.
Google Maps Directions: Kaulana Manu 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 Kaulana Manu Nature Trail
From the parking area, the Kaulana Manu Trail begins up the service road, following the footprints on the pavement.
Kaulana Manu Kīpuka
When you come to the fence, please ensure that the gate locks after passing through.
These fences are what help pristine Hawaiian forests, such as Kaulana Manu, remain protected from feral non-native ungulates that destroy them.
Kaulana Manu Loop Trail
Shortly after the gate, the Kaulana Manu Nature Trail splits into a short loop through the beautiful Kīpuka.
Personally, I don’t think it matters too much which direction you decide to hike, so I decided to go right.
While there isn’t much to say about the Kaulana Manu Trail that can’t be seen from these photos, I do encourage you to take it slow.
Having the opportunity to hike through such a pristine native Hawaiian forest is quite a luxury compared to where I live on Oʻahu. Lower islands, such as Oʻahu, tend to require much more time and effort to hike up to our pristine forests as opposed to this easy-to-access trail right off Saddle Road.
Kaulana Manu Lookout Junction
On the far end of the loop, Kaulana Manu Nature Trail splits to get to a small lookout above the surrounding forest.
Go right at this split to reach this lookout.
Kaulana Manu Lookout
I have heard mixed opinions about whether or not this is the best place to see the different native birds, but what I can confidently say is to look for the ʻŌhiʻa flowers.
If you see a tree that has many crown flowers, it’s more than likely a good tree to sit and watch for a while because that will likely be an ʻŌhiʻa that the ʻIʻiwi, ʻApapane, and various other birds frequent.
Once back on the loop, Kaulana Manu simply works its way back toward the initial split.
This Lapalapa, also called an ʻŌlapa, is an interesting tree because of how different the various subspecies look between the islands.
Additionally, if you notice what looks like a raspberry, that’s ʻĀkala, and they are edible to humans, but I ask that you please leave them for the birds, so that they can continue reseeding this beautiful forest.
This is where the Kaulana Manu Nature Loop meets back up with the beginning.
Overall, Kaulana Manu is one of the most beautiful and pristine trails across all of Hawaiʻi, and it’s also one of the best family-friendly hikes that you can find across Hawaiʻi Island.
Native Plants on the Kaulana Manu Trail
I could go on and on about the many native Hawaiian plants that you are going to see along the Kaulana Manu Nature Trail, but that’s truly what the trail is for.
However, if you would like to learn more about something specific that you encountered along the hike, I encourage you to read more in my separate post dedicated entirely to helping others learn more and identify a variety of native Hawaiian plants from across the islands.
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.
Disclaimer
All information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for information or advice from qualified professionals or managing agencies.
Noah Lang Photography LLC makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information provided here, and readers should use their own discretion, judgement, and seek professional advice where it is appropriate.
Furthermore, Noah Lang Photography LLC shall not be held responsible for any injuries, lost individuals, or legal issues arising from the use of information provided on this website, and if applicable, the above safety disclaimer should be referenced to provide a generic overview of the risks involved.
All said, the content on this blog is for the sole use of Noah Lang Photography LLC, and unauthorized use or reproduction of this content is strictly prohibited.
Disclosure
This post is not sponsored.
However, some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission if a purchase is made through one of those links. This commission comes at no additional cost to you, and I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support, which enables me to continue creating more!
To read the full privacy policy, click here.
About This Blog
Noah Lang Photography, also known as @noahawaii, is 100% reader-supported!
I do not accept guest articles or sponsored content of any kind on my blog, which is why, if you enjoy the outdoor and travel content I create, please consider buying me a coffee!
I appreciate your support, which helps me continue to keep this blog alive!
