Hawaii Loa Ridge

The Hawaiʻi Loa Ridge Trail follows the ridge up to the summit of the Koʻolau, first through dry forest of uluhe, ʻilima and strawberry guava, then along open ridge in ʻōhiʻa, koa and akia forest. On the way there are views of native plants and the leeward side, and from the top you look out over the windward coast. The trailhead parking is up Puʻuʻikena Drive, off Kalanianaʻole Highway just past Kawaikui Beach Park, next to a Board of Water Supply tank. At the security guard station, the Hawaiʻiloa Home Owners Association requires visitors to show a Hawaii State ID and sign a liability waiver. There are few stalls at the trailhead, so carpool, and do not stop or park in the subdivision. The trail is quite steep in places and may be hard for new hikers. Ropes on some sections were not put in or kept up by Nā Ala Hele, which warns that ropes can be more dangerous than climbing without them. Cliffs, sudden drop-offs, landslides and sun exposure are listed hazards. It is a public hunting area where hunting dogs may be off leash, so wear bright colors and stay on the trail, and keep your own dog leashed. Listen for the ʻelepaio in the guava and the Japanese bush warbler near the summit. DLNR reopened all of Oʻahu's forestry and wildlife lands in late September, and it asks hikers to take care, since hazards it has not yet found or fixed may remain.