Kalawahine Trail contours the edge of Pauoa Valley, winding in and out of gulches along the way. It offers some great views of Pauoa Valley and the northern end of Honolulu. Vegetation is diverse along this trail, including mamake, koa, bananas, ginger and albizia. Other: 1.1 miles down the trail, you will come to a junction on the right with Manoa Cliff Trail. If you take Manoa Cliff Trail, you can loop back to Round Top Drive. Then, carefully walk the road (to your right) back to your car. If you continue straight past the Manoa Cliff junction, Kalawahine Trail ends at a midpoint of Pauoa Flats Trail, where you can go right or left. If you go right on Pauoa Flats Trail it will end at a midpoint on Manoa Cliff Trail (there is a trail map here). If you go left, Pauoa Flats Trail will take you to Nu‘uanu Trail (on your left), Aihualama Trail (on your right), or a lookout over Nu‘uanu Valley.

Descriptions for route, history, plants and birds were provided by Stuart Ball, author of The Hikers Guide to Oahu and other hiking books.

Mountainous, some native forest, views

While contouring around Tantalus (Pu`u `Ohi`a), notice the black cinder underfoot and embedded in the cliff to the right. Tantalus is a cinder cone formed by an eruption from a nearby crater and is a remnant of the last volcanic activity on O`ahu, known as the Honolulu Series. Look and listen for the white-rumped shama. It is black on top with a chestnut-colored breast and a long black-and-white tail. The shama has a variety of beautiful songs and often mimics other birds. A native of Malaysia, the shama has become widespread in introduced forests such as this one. The Kalawahine Trail passes through native snail habitat. Look carefully for them on both sides of the leaves of nearby shrubs and trees. Do not disturb the snails or allow them to fall to the ground. Years ago many valleys on O`ahu had their own species of snail. Now most are gone because of shell collecting, habitat loss, and predation from introduced snails and rats

The Kalawahine Trail was a project of the fledgling Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club in 1910-11. The route was widened and re-graded by the Honolulu Unit of the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935.

Hunting may be in progress on or near this hiking trail. Hunting dogs may be off-leash while engaged in the hunt. Hikers must keep their dogs leashed at all times and remove dog waste while on this trail.

• Dangerous Cliff
• Dangerous Footing
• Hunting Area
• Landslides
• Narrow Trail
• Uneven Surface

• Nature Study
• Open Views
• Scenic Viewpoint
• Sensitive Area
• Walking Path

• Bench
• Bridge
• Parking

• Dog Hunting
• Dogs on Leash
• Hiking
• Pedestrian
• Sightseeing
• Tours
• Wildlife Viewing

• No Alcohol
• No Bicycles
• No Horses
• No Littering
• No Open Fires
• No Motorized Vehicles
• No Plant Sand Dirt Rock Removal
• No Smoking

1. Stay on the trail
2. Check the weather
3. Watch the time
4. Avoid undue risk
5. Read all posted signs
6. Respect other trail users
7. Pack out at least what you pack in

NOTICE: Special pig control hunt in progress on this trail. Hunting with hunting dog activity is permitted on Wednesdays and Sundays from sun-up to sundown. Hunting may be in progress on these days on or near this hiking trail. Hunting dogs may be off-leash while engaged in the hunt. Hikers with pet dogs should consider using other trails during control hunt period to avoid possible encounters with hunting dogs. Hikers must keep their dogs leashed at all times and remove dog waste while on this trail.

Do not use any trail or access road that is not delineated by name and color and that may also be displayed on these maps. The marked features are managed for public recreational use. Other trails or roads that branch off from the public features may be on private property, and are not managed for any public recreational use. Access is subject to adjacent landowner approval, and if used without authorization, you will be trespassing and possibly putting yourself at risk.

If driving from Makiki Heights Drive, go uphill on Tantalus Drive. When you get close to the top, just after going over a narrow bridge, look for the trail head on the left. It will be adjacent to a private road, going uphill. Park in the parking area on the right just past the trailhead.

Please note that the Kalawahine Trail (in yellow) is part of the Honolulu-Mauka Trail Network, comprising of 18 interconnected trails (in turquoise). The system may be accessed via the Makiki Arboretum Trail (dark blue) as part of an extended hike. The shortest route from the Makiki Arboretum Trail to the Kalawahine trailhead is 0.25 miles.

The Kalawahine Trail starts at a signed junction at the end of a stone wall on the left side of Tantalus Dr. (The one-lane paved private road just to the right of the trail leads up to the top of Tantalus.) Begin to contour along the flank of Tantalus (Pu`u `Ohi`a), working into and out of numerous gulches. Pass a wooden bench on the right and go through native snail habitat marked with signs. Farther along is a grove of coffee trees with their shiny leaves. At a signed junction keep left on the Kalawahine Trail. (The Manoa Cliff Trail curves right and contours around the other side of Tantalus.) After a brief descent the path climbs gradually to Pauoa Flats. The Kalawahine Trail ends at a signed junction with the Pauoa Flats Ttrail. Turn left on the flats trail to reach an overlook of Nu`uanu Valley.

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