Ahupua'a 'O Kahana State Park: Kapa'ele'ele Trail (Blog Hike #1069)

Trail: Kapa'ele'ele Trail
Hike Location: Ahupua'a 'O Kahana State Park
Geographic Location: Kahana Bay, HI (21.55636, -157.87591)
Length: 0.8 miles
Difficulty: 4/10 (Easy/Moderate)
Date Hiked: April 2025
Overview: A loop on slippery, muddy trail with views of Kahana Bay.
Park Information: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/oahu/ahupuaa-o-kahana-state-park/
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=983718
Photo Highlight:

Hawaii Trip Video: (coming December 23)

Directions to the trailhead: Ahupua'a 'O Kahana State Park is located on the north side of Oahu on SR 83 14.7 miles northwest of Kane'ohe.  Enter the park, and park at either the picnic area parking lot or the park office parking lot.  Alternatively, The Bus route 60 has a bus stop just outside the park entrance.

The hike: Formerly known as Kahana Valley State Park, Ahupua'a 'O Kahana State Park protects 5300 acres above Kahana Bay on Oahu's north shore.  The park gets its name because it contains Hawaii's only publicly-owned ahupua'a, or ridgeline that separates 2 watersheds.  The ahupua'a are significant because they provide a convenient way to divide up the island's land.  The valley at this park's center remains relatively in its natural state, but 31 families still live within the park's boundaries.  Thus, this park is sometimes called a "living park."

            The park has few amenities, but it offers 2 hiking trails: the 2.5 mile Nakoa Trail named for the many koa trees found along its route and the 0.8 mile Kapa'ele'ele Trail.  I came here on my final day on the island, so I hiked the shorter trail in order to visit as many sites on the island as possible.  The Kapa'ele'ele Trail is short and easy except when the trail is muddy, which it frequently is: Kahana Bay is the wettest area on Oahu, a very wet island.  During periods of wetness, this trail becomes a slippery muddy mess, and it becomes a battle just to stay upright and avoid sliding off the trail and down the mountain.  I won that battle on my hike but not without some scary moments.

State park entrance

            From the park entrance, walk in the main park road to the Visitor Center on the left and the park office on the right.  Some nice palm trees grow along the road, and I saw some chickens and other fowl wandering around the parking lots.  The park road continues into the park's residential area, but the signed trailhead for the Kapa'ele'ele Trail is located to the right (northeast of) the park office.  Restrooms are also provided near the park office.

Start of Kapa'ele'ele Trail

            The Kapa'ele'ele Trail heads into the woods on a wide two-track dirt road.  Some large koa trees live in this forest, and the dense greenery and damp environment give this hike a strong jungle feel.  A couple of wet areas need to be negotiated on this old road, but the real mud-fest is yet to come.

Sunny grassy area

            Just past 0.2 miles, the trail enters a small sunny area, where the ground on either side of the trail is covered with grasses.  The trail narrows here, and after re-entering the forest you start the climb to this trail's viewpoints.  The dirt underfoot has volcanic origin, and it not only gets super slippery when wet but also cakes on your shoes.  2 ropes are provided, 1 on the uphill section and 1 on the downhill section, for hikers to grab onto and keep upright.  I made it uphill without using the rope, but I had to hold onto the downhill rope with both hands.

Climbing toward the viewpoints

            Just shy of 0.4 miles, you reach the first reward for your climb: a broad view over Kahana Bay with green Mount Kauhi beyond.  Next the slippery and rooty climb briefly pauses as the trail dips to pass through a boulder-filled ravine.  All roots and rocks seem to be covered with a thin slippery smear of mud, so go slowly and step carefully.  The forest here consists of java plum and octopus trees, and the hike retains its jungle feel.

First Kahana Bay viewpoint

            After climbing out of the ravine, you reach the Koa Kapa'ele'ele Shrine: a collection of volcanic rocks some Hawaiian peoples consider sacred.  Just past the shrine, you reach the spur trail that heads left to this hike's highest viewpoint.  Although you are higher up the hill, you can actually see more of the bay from the previous viewpoint than from this one.  Take a few minutes to rest and decide which view you like best.

Highest Kahana Bay viewpoint

            A super steep and super rocky unofficial trail continues past the viewpoint and goes several miles up the ridge, but next comes the most adventurous part of this hike: getting back down.  You could go back the way you came, but I hiked the entire Kapa'ele'ele Trail by continuing straight and immediately heading straight downhill.  A couple of switchbacks soon ease the grade, and the descent is steeper but less rooty than the climb.  I went slow and hung onto the rope, and I made it to the bottom of the hill without leaving my feet.

Final descent

Kahana Bay, picnic area view

            Just shy of 0.6 miles, the trail deposits you onto the shoulder of Kamehameha Highway, also known in this area as SR 83.  Turn right to begin the road walk back to the park entrance.  You want to walk on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic not only for legal reasons but also to admire the picnic area and beach along Kahana Bay to the left.   The views from the side of the bay may be the most scenic views on this hike.  Use the water hose at the shoe cleaning station beside the park office to wash the cakes of mud off of your shoes before boarding The Bus or getting in your car.