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.

In June 1913 the Territorial Governor established Kuaokala Forest Reserve to protect a spring near the head of Manini Gulch below the parking lot. Over the years, cattle ranchers, forestry workers, and hikers developed various trails in the Kuaokala area, one of which was this ridge route. Ka`ena Point Satellite Tracking Station is a secure U.S. Air Force installation built in 1959. It tracks and issues commands to satellites in orbit, especially those of the U.S. military.

Mountainous, mixed forest, open ridge, dirt road, hot and dry

Historically the Air Force has closed public access during RIMPAC in the month of July and on the anniversary of September 11. It is recommended that you call to check on the status of access in the event that the Air Force closes public access for security reasons. During these closures, you will not be able drive up the road through the Kaena Point Satellite Tracking Station at The Kaena State Park section of the Mauka Kaena State Park or Keawaula. The KPSTS land line is (808)697-4311 to check on potential closures. OVERNIGHT PARKING IS NOT ALLOWED AT OR AROUND THE AIR FORCE FACILITY. Campers may park overnight at the east trail head off of Kuaokala Road. This trail traverses a public hunting area - please use caution when hiking. Wear bright colored clothing and be aware that you may encounter hunters who may be hunting off trail - stay on the trail. If accessing the Kuaokala Trail via the Ka‘ena Point Tracking Station, you will need a hiking permit. See below "Resources" section for hiking permit application link. 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. Downloadable resources are provided below

• Bicycle
• Camping
• Dog Hunting
• Dogs on Leash
• Hiking
• Hunting

• Campsites
• Parking
• Picnic Table
• Shelter

• Nature Study
• Open Views

• Blind Corner
• Dangerous Cliff
• Dangerous Footing
• Fire Danger
• Hunting Area
• Narrow Trail
• Sun Exposure
• Uneven Surface

Always yield to hikers. Do not slide around corners or slide down the trail. Careless mountain biking damages the trail and causes erosion. If accidents are reported or damage to the trail is extreme, the trail may be closed to mountain bikers.

Along the initial contour section, look for `iliahialo`e (coast sandalwood), a native shrub. It has oval, grey-green leaves about 1 to 2 inches long and tiny white star-shaped flowers. `Iliahialo`e is partially parasitic, with outgrowths on its roots that steal nutrients from nearby plants. Early Hawaiians ground the fragrant heartwood into a powder to perfume their kapa. The outbound route passes through stands of ironwood, pine, and black wattle trees planted for erosion control and reforestation. Interspersed among the introduced vegetation are the native dry-land shrubs pukiawe and `ilima. Pukiawe has tiny, rigid leaves and small white, pink, or red berries. `Ilima has oblong, serrated leaves, about 1 inch long. The yellow orange flowers strung together make a regal lei (garland) in both ancient and modern Hawai`i. Scan the ocean for humpback whales. They migrate from the North Pacific to the Hawaiian Islands, arriving in October and leaving in May. The whales congregate off the leeward coast of Maui and occupy themselves calving, nursing, breeding, and generally horsing around. Listen for a cackling cry in the gulches below. The sound is made by the Erckel's francolin, a game bird originally from Africa. Although you probably won't see it, the francolin is brown with white spots on its breast and belly. Before reaching the first overlook of Makua Valley, watch for the native herb ko`oko`olau, related to the daisy and sunflower families. It has pointed, serrated leaves and flower heads with yellow petals. Early Hawaiians steeped the leaves to make a tea used as a tonic.

• No Alcohol
• No Commercial
• No Littering
• No Motorized Vehicles
• No Open Fires
• 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.

If you are driving, drive towards Ka‘ena Point on Farrington Highway until you reach The Kaena State Park section of the Mauka Kaena State Park or Keawaula. Turn right and check in with your DLNR permit (see Documents section below for hiking permit application) at the security guard station. Proceed up the road until you get to the intersection with the second guard shack on the left. Turn right at the stop sign and proceed past the Ka‘ena Point Tracking Station. Once past the tracking station, the road curves to the left and you will pass another intersection on the right. Adjacent to the next intersection is a large dirt parking area. Park in this lot, which is located to the left of the unpaved road that descends down into Manini Gulch. The trail starts directly to the right side of the road.

From the dirt parking lot walk across the side road to the signed trailhead. The Kuaokala Trail initially contours around a hill topped by ironwood trees. Reach a junction at the crest of Kuaokala Ridge. Turn left on a dirt firebreak road along the ridge. Stroll through ironwoods and introduced pines and pass a covered picnic table on the right. Contour on the right side of the ridge below its top. The road descends briefly through kukui trees, switchbacks once, and then climbs along the left side of a shallow ravine. At the head of the ravine turn left along the edge of the ridge. At the road end ascend along a rocky, eroded outcrop and then swing right. Ignore two side trails coming in on the left. (The second one leads to another covered picnic table.)Traverse a narrow, bare section. Climb briefly to a copse of ironwood trees.Ascend a small knob in the ridge. Climb a second knob to an awesome overlook of Makua Valley. Bear left along the rim of the valley through black wattle trees. Cross an open, scenic stretch recovering from a fire. Pass another overlook with rock slabs. Descend briefly and then climb steeply to reach another overlook and a junction. To make a loop hike, turn left through a gate in a fence onto a dirt road. At the next junction turn left again on the Mokule`ia and Kuaokala Access Rd. and follow it back to the tracking station parking lot.

Accessing this trail requires a day use permit issued by Hawaii’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DLNR). This permit must be printed in advance and in your possession at all times when on the trail. An additional copy must also be displayed on your vehicle dashboard when on the premises. Trail users may obtain permits through the following methods: 

Method 1 (Online- CURRENTLY INACTIVE) - A permit may be quickly obtained via the online link provided below. Trail users who use this method will be charged a $2.50 service fee for the online transaction. The permit will be issued automatically after purchase. 

https://trails.ehawaii.gov/camping/all,details,57933.html

Method 2 (Via Mail) - Trail users who may not wish to pay the online service fee may manually send in an application, free of purchase, to the Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Oahu Branch. Please download and complete the form provided in the Resources section below (under Permit Application). Trail users may mail your application packet to: DLNR/ DOFAW 2135 Makiki Heights Dr. Honolulu, HI 96822 Permits will be issued after the completed application has been reviewed and approved. This may take up to 5 business days. 

Method 3 (Walk-In) - Permits are also issued same-day to trail users who wish to visit our DOFAW Makiki and Downtown offices. Walk-in permits are issued free of charge, and at the desk. Trail users may visit either of the following locations: 1151 Punchbowl St., Rm. 325 Honolulu, HI 96813 2135 Makiki Heights Dr. Honolulu, HI 96822