Kaena Point Trail

Kaʻena Point State Park wraps around Oʻahu's northwest corner, with a north shore section at Mokuleʻia and a west side section at Keawaʻula, and it is the gateway to the Kaʻena Point Natural Area Reserve at the point. The trail follows an old railroad bed and former dirt road around the point. As of DLNR's October park notice, the Keawaʻula Trail in the park's west side Keawaʻula Section remains closed, and vehicle access there is restricted past the restroom parking lot because of storm damage to the road. In an early October update, DLNR said the Mokuleʻia access road had reopened to permit holders, with some roads still closed by storm damage, so heed the road signs. From that side, hikers park at the end of the paved road and follow the dirt roadway across a broad, fairly flat coastal plain of raised limestone reef and sand dunes, keeping to the shoreline trail signs. Driving past the gate at the end of the paved road takes a Vehicle Access Special Use Permit. It is hot and dry with little shade and sandy, rocky ground, and there is no drinking water on either section and no restroom or lifeguard on the Mokuleʻia section, so bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. Stay away from the wave-exposed coast unless you know hazardous ocean conditions, and look for whales offshore in winter. The reserve is entered on foot or by mountain bike, and it is home to nesting seabirds, some in burrows, and Hawaiian monk seals. Stay on established paths, take care not to damage native plants, and keep well back from monk seals on land and in the water. Animals other than service animals, drones, camping and commercial activity are not allowed. The reserve also holds leina a ka ʻuhane, the Spirit Leap, a wahi pana, or celebrated place of legend.