Activities
Hiking
Recommended Activities
Begin your visit at the park’s visitor center where you can pick up the park’s brochure that includes information on the self guided trail. You might take in one of the orientation talks in the amphitheater at 10:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. The self-guided trail takes about 30 minutes and takes you through the royal grounds and place of refuge (pu’uhonua). Often you can find cultural demonstrators working and sharing their knowledge on traditional Hawaiian arts and crafts. Foreign language and other informational handouts are available. We provide cold water, but food or beverages are not sold in the park.
For those who enjoy nature, you can often spot green sea turtles or humpback whales during the winter months. Handouts on the local plants and birds are also available.
Picnickers can take the gravel road adjacent to the visitor center. This leads to a picnic area located near the shore and shaded by coconut trees. Barbecue pits and tables are available.
Interested in hiking? You can follow the historic 1871 trail that takes you along the coast for about a mile to the park boundary. Along the trail, you can see many archeological sites including temple sites (heiau), some sledding tracks (holua), and old house sites. In addition, an open lava tube ends at the face of a sea cliff. Watch your head as the ceiling is low and flashlights are recommended. Ask at the visitor center for a backcountry trail guide.
Intro
