What to Do in Hawaii: Hike the Pu'u O Kona Trail

Pu'u o Kona is a rugged trail that is not often used except by the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club, the biggest and oldest of the hiking groups in Hawaii. If you cannot find this trail or if you have doubts and decide to turn back, you can hike the Kuliouou Ridge Trail, which is well-used and easy to follow. Kuliouou is accessed also at the end of Kala'au Place.

How to Get There

To drive the 11 miles there from downtown Honolulu, take H-1 eastbound and continue east as H-1 ends and transitions to Kalanianaole Highway just past Kahala Mall. Just about 4 miles later, turn left onto Kuliouou Road and head inland in Kuliouou Valley. Follow the signs to stay on Kuliouou Road for about a mile. When you reach a dead-end sign, turn right onto Kala'au Place. The trailhead is at the end of Kalaau.

If you travel by Oahu's fine city bus system, take Route 1 (Hawaii Kai). Disembark along Kalanianaole Highway by Kuliouou Road. Walk up Kuliouou Road and then up Kala'au Place to the trailhead. Plan on about a 20 minute jaunt from the highway.

Trail Description

Pu'u o Kona, done as an out-and-back hike, is 5 miles roundtrip. There is an elevation gain of about 2000 feet. The hike is for intermediate to advanced hikers.

The route begins along a paved road that leads to Kuliouou Stream. Where the road forks, continue to the left on down, still on the paved road. Cross a small bridge on the road over the stream. A water pumping station is adjacent. Along the right side of the road up an embankment is the start of the trail. Ribbons may mark this spot. If not, look for the trail. It is there.

The first section of the trail gets down to business right away and basically heads straight up the mountainside to gain the crest of the ridge on the valley's left (west) side. The climb up is steep but not technical and can be made more challenging if it is raining (read: slippery). Be careful on the return leg when descending steep sections.

This trail reaches the west ridge's crest in a grove of ironwood trees. Feel free to plop down and rest when you get there. The sound of the wind blowing through the ironwoods is relaxing to some and eerie to others. You decide what it is for you.