Explore Kahuku in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

Hikers on Palm Trail in the Kahuku Unit. NPS photo: Sami Steinkamp

Everyone is invited to Find Your Park and participate in the upcoming free Kahuku events and guided hikes at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Par through December 2016.

In addition to Saturdays and Sundays, Kahuku will open on Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

You can explore Kahuku on your own, or join these upcoming programs:

Save the Date to Celebrate on Veterans Day. The park is hosting the “Welina Mai Nei Kākou I Kahuku,” an open house event to celebrate Kahuku being open on Fridays. There will be music, children’s activities, local community organizations and interpretive programs on Nov. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mauna Loa Southwest Rift Zone. Take a short, guided hike to an overlook located on the Upper Palm Trail. From the overlook, park rangers will orient visitors to numerous prominent geologic features of the many eruptions of the Southwest Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. Learn about the fascinating natural processes that create these features and the cultural traditions associated with them. Pack a snack to enjoy during the program. The Mauna Loa Southwest Rift Zone program is offered Dec. 3; from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Hikers prepare to climb Pu‘u Lokuana in Kahuku. NPS photo.

Pu‘u o Lokuana is a short, moderately difficult .4-mile hike to the top of the grassy cinder cone, Pu‘u o Lokuana. Learn about the formation and various uses of this hill over time and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka‘ū. This hike is offered Dec. 4 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Enter the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on the mauka (inland) side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5, and meet near the parking area. Sturdy footwear, water, rain gear, sun protection and a snack are recommended. Free.

‘Ōhi‘a Lehua. Learn about the vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree, and the lehua flower. Visitors will be able to identify the many differences of the most prominent native tree in Kahuku on this program, which is an easy, one-mile (or less) walk. The ‘Ōhi‘a Lehua program is offered Nov. 13 and 26, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Enter the Kahuku Unit on the mauka (inland) side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5, and meet near the parking area. Sturdy footwear, water, rain gear, sun protection, and a snack are recommended. Free.

People and Land of Kahuku is a moderate two-mile, three-hour guided hike that loops through varied landscapes to explore the human history of Kahuku. Emerging native forests, pastures, lava fields, and other sites hold clues about ways people have lived and worked on the vast Kahuku lands—from the earliest Hawaiians, through generations of ranching families, to the current staff and volunteers of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about the powerful natural forces at work here and how people have adapted to, shaped, and restored this land. The guided hike is offered on Nov. 20 and Dec. 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Enter the Kahuku Unit on the mauka (inland) side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5, and meet near the parking area. Sturdy footwear, water, rain gear, sun protection, and a snack are recommended. Free.

Hi‘iaka & Pele. Discover two fascinating Hawaiian goddesses, sisters Pelehonuamea (Pele) and Hi‘iaka, and the natural phenomena they represent. Visitors will experience the sisters coming alive through the epic stories depicted in the natural landscape of Kahuku on this easy 1.7-mile walk on the main road in Kahuku. The Hi‘iaka and Pele program is offered on Nov. 19 and Dec. 24 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Enter the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on the mauka (inland) side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5, and meet near the parking area. Sturdy footwear, water, rain gear, sun protection and a snack are recommended. Free.

Palm Trail is a moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop traversing scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. Highlights include relics of the ranching era, sections of remnant native forest and amazing volcanic features from the 1868 eruptive fissures. A guided hike of Palm Trail is offered on Nov. 27 and Dec. 11 from 9:30 to 12:30 p.m. Enter the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on the mauka (inland) side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5, and meet near the parking area. Sturdy footwear, water, rain gear, sun protection, and a snack are recommended. Free.

An eruption of lehua mamo (yellow lehua flowers) on an ‘ōhi‘a tree in Kahuku. NPS photo: David Boyle.

Birth of Kahuku. Explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku. Traverse the vast 1868 lava flow, see different volcano features and formations, and identify many parts of the Southwest Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. Learn about the Hawaiian hotspot and the creation of Kahuku. This guided easy-to-moderate hike is offered on Dec. 17 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Enter the Kahuku Unit on the mauka (inland) side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5, and meet near the parking area. Sturdy footwear, water, rain gear, sun protection, and a snack are recommended. Free.

Realms and Divisions of Kahuku. Experience the sense of place that evolves at the intersection of nature and culture on this moderately difficult two-mile, two-hour guided hike on the Kahuku Unit’s newest trail, Pu‘u Kahuku. Explore the realms and divisions of the traditional Hawaiian classification system at Kahuku. This hike is offered on Nov. 12 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Enter the Kahuku Unit on the mauka (inland) side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5, and meet near the parking area. Sturdy footwear, water, rain gear, sun protection, and a snack are recommended. Free.

Inspiration Hike – Artists in the Park at Kahuku. Come appreciate the beauty of Kahuku and learn how nature can inspire you to connect with your own creativity. Local artists show you how to witness nature’s handiwork and see the magic within the landscape. This program requires advance registration and is limited to 15 people. It is an interactive moderately easy 1.5-mile hike and program that lasts three hours. The Inspiration Hike is offered from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 10; the deadline to register is Dec. 6. Email [email protected] to register. Enter the Kahuku unit on the mauka (inland) side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5, and meet near the parking area. Sturdy footwear, water, raingear, sun protection, and a snack are recommended. Free.

Keep up with Kahuku events and visit the calendar on the park website,

Download the Kahuku Site Bulletin here.