4-wheel Drive Access is by permit ONLY.
An On-line Day Use Access Permit is Available for Kealia Access Road & Trail, Kuaokala Trail, Mokuleia & Kuaokala Firebreak Roads, Mokuleia Forest Reserve Access Road, Mokuleia Trail. Access requires a day use or camping permit issued by Hawaii’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DLNR). Access is only from sunup to sundown - To be safe: 7:15am to 5:45pm. The 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.
Details
Length (one way): 2.5 mi / 4.02 km - Elevation Change: 500 ft / 152.4 m
The trail contours the left side of the ridge, leads into a saddle, and then continues by traversing the ridge. The route proceeds along the Makua Rim. The trail then goes down along a row of lemon gum eucalyptus trees and up again until it gets to a dirt road intersection. The right intersection leads to Mokuleia Forest Reserve. The left intersection takes you along a dirt road, down a gulch, up the other side and goes down along a ridge. Keep taking the left route at any intersection that you encounter. It will finally take you down into Manini Gulch, and becomes paved on the final climb back up to where you will return to the large dirt parking area. A permit and four-wheel drive is needed to access this trail via the Ka‘ena Point Satellite Tracking Station Road (see Resorces section below for permit application link).
Descriptions for route, history, plants and birds were provided by Stuart Ball, author of The Hikers Guide to Oahu and other hiking books