🏕️National Park Data
Aerial photograph of trail through lava along the Hawaiian Coast
sandy beach
Aerial photograph of trail along the Hawaiian Coast
Photograph of woman walking along a segment of trail underneath a shaded tree canopy
Aerial photograph of hikers along straight rocky segment of Ala Kahakai
National Historic Trail

Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail

Hawaii

💰
Entrance Fee
Free
🕐
Hours
All Day
📍
Location
Kailua-Kona, HI
📞
Visitor Center
See NPS website

Established in 2000 to preserve, protect and interpret traditional Native Hawaiian culture and natural resources, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail is a 175-mile corridor encompassing a network of culturally and historically significant trails. This "trail by the sea" traverses wahi pana (storied landscapes), ancient Hawaiian sites and over 200 ahupuaʻa (traditional land divisions).

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About Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail

Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail is a national historic trail located in Hawaii. Hawaiʻiʻs coast is generally sunny and hot. Be prepared with sun protection (hat, mineral-based sunscreen, sunglasses and long sleeves) and water (minimum 2 liters of water per person per day for short hikes). Before visiting the Trail, check weather forecasts and follow all warnings and advisories: - https://www.weather.gov/hfo/ - www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts

Open sections of the Ala Kahakai NHT can be accessed through the four Hawai'i Island National Parks: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes NP, Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau NHP, Kaloko-Honokōhau NHP and Pu'ukoholā Heiau NHS. The Nā Ala Hele State Trails and Access Programʻs "Ala Kahakai Trail" in South Kohala is also open to the public. Additional sections of the trail are opened as they are sufficiently managed to protect the trail and associated areas.

💰 Entrance Fees & Passes

Entry to Ala Kahakai is completely free. There are no general entrance fees or vehicle passes required to access this park unit.

🥾 Things to Do

Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Arts and Culture, Cultural Demonstrations, Auto and ATV, Scenic Driving, and 39 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.

✅ Arts and Culture
✅ Cultural Demonstrations
✅ Auto and ATV
✅ Scenic Driving
✅ Biking
✅ Mountain Biking
✅ Road Biking
✅ Boating
✅ Motorized Boating
✅ Sailing
✅ Boat Tour
✅ Camping
✅ Canoe or Kayak Camping
✅ Car or Front Country Camping
✅ Group Camping
✅ RV Camping
✅ Compass and GPS
✅ Geocaching
✅ Orienteering
✅ Fishing
✅ Saltwater Fishing
✅ Food
✅ Picnicking
✅ Guided Tours
✅ Self-Guided Tours - Walking
✅ Self-Guided Tours - Auto
✅ Hands-On
✅ Arts and Crafts
✅ Hiking
✅ Front-Country Hiking
✅ Paddling
✅ Canoeing
✅ Canoe or Kayak Camping
✅ Kayaking
✅ Stand Up Paddleboarding
✅ Junior Ranger Program
✅ SCUBA Diving
✅ Snorkeling
✅ Surfing
✅ Swimming
✅ Saltwater Swimming
✅ Wildlife Watching
✅ Birdwatching

📦 Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist

Custom items selected for activities at Ala Kahakai

0 of 13 packed

🎒 Trail Essentials

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🥾 Activity-Specific Gear

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🧥 Apparel & Layers

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💡 Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

📋 Visitor Planning Tips for Ala Kahakai

  • →Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Ala Kahakai before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
  • →Verify Conditions: Weather and trail accessibility inside Ala Kahakai can change rapidly. Always verify the latest road conditions and local weather advisories before starting your trek.
  • →Secure Campsites Early: Lodging and developed campgrounds within and surrounding Ala Kahakai get booked out months in advance. Make reservations on recreation.gov as early as the window opens.
  • →Leave No Trace: Help protect the delicate ecosystems of Ala Kahakai. Stay on marked trails, pack out all of your waste, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
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Established in 2000 to preserve, protect and interpret traditional Native Hawaiian culture and natural resources, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail is a 175-mile corridor encompassing a network of culturally and historically significant trails. This "trail by the sea" traverses wahi pana (storied landscapes), ancient Hawaiian sites and over 200 ahupuaʻa (traditional land divisions).

Frequently Asked Questions about Ala Kahakai

The entrance fee for Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail is Free per vehicle. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all 474+ NPS sites and pays for itself after just 2-3 park visits.

About the Author

🧗

James R. Mitchell

Founder & Lead Writer — National Park Data

James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.

🏔️ 63 Parks Visited✍️ 12 Years Writing🧭 Wilderness GuideFull Bio →
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