Hiking the Kahuku Coastline Trail on Oʻahu’s North Shore
Distance (One Way): 5.5 miles / 8.9 km
The Kahuku Coastline is Oʻahu’s most remote stretch of untouched beaches, largely due to private landowners and the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge owning all of the surrounding property.
That being said, if you’re considering the trail, keep in mind that just because it’s a coastal hike, it doesn’t mean it’s an easy hike.
The sun exposure is high, there is a lot of salty sea spray when it’s windy, and walking on the sand is always slower and tougher than walking on a hard surface.
However, if you start early and bring at least 2-3L of water, I think the Kahuku Shoreline Trail makes for a fun North Shore adventure.
Public Shoreline Access
Yes, the Kahuku shoreline, just like any other, is a public right-of-way. As long as you hike on the outside of any no trespassing signs, 100% of this hike is on public land!
Furthermore, all shorelines in Hawaiʻi are a public right-of-way, as per the Hawaiʻi Revised Statute linked below.
Kahuku Coastline Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Kahuku Coastline Trail is located at the public beach access within the Turtle Bay Resort in Kahuku.
The designated parking lot for anyone going to the beach/ trail is loacted on the far right side, near the Paradise Helicopter Tours. Here, parking stalls are marked and set aside from the rest, as you can see in the photo below.
Google Maps Directions: Kahuku Shoreline Trailhead
Hiking the Kahuku Coastline Trail
The hike begins at the Turtle Bay public beach access for Kaihalulu Beach to the right of the resort.
At the first split, go left toward the beach.
Then, go right at the second split shortly after the first.
Kaihalulu Beach
From Kaihalulu Beach to Kahuku Point, the trail along the coast is very straightforward and well-maintained by the resort.
After the golf course, go left to stay on the Kahuku Coastline Trail.
Kahuku Point
Typically speaking, Kahuku Point is where most people turn around.
It’s also important to note that you may encounter a boundary like this for a resting Hawaiian Monk Seal, but after Kahuku Point, it’s largely up to you to watch out for Monk Seals.
NOAA and Hawaiʻi’s Department of Land and Natural Resources recommend at least 50 ft. (15.2 m) of distance to view a Monk Seal without disturbing it.
If you come to this posted no trespassing sign, simply head down to the sand to avoid walking on the private land.
James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
At about 2.6 miles (4.2 km) into the hike, you will come across the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge boundary.
That being said, so long as you keep to the outside of the clearly marked boundary, you are not trespassing.
To this point, the wildlife refuge boundary will be clearly posted from here until the Kahuku Golf Course near the end of the hike.
Other than the lack of shade, these are truly some of Oʻahu’s best beaches!
Toward the end of the National Wildlife Refuge, there is one inevitable stream crossing that you will need to walk through.
When you reach the end of the wildlife refuge, stay along the fence line to take the easiest route to the golf course.
Japanese Cemetary
Please be respectful.
Kahuku Golf Course
Once at the golf course, go right to take the fastest route to the end of the trail on Puʻuluana Street.
Puʻuluana Street
The Kahuku Coastline Trail ends at the parking lot for the Kahuku Golf Course, but I always choose to walk out to the bus stop on Kamehameha Highway instead of turning back.
Trust me, this is a one-way hike after spending a little over 5 miles (8.0 km) in the sun.
This is the bus stop on Kamehameha and Puʻuluana Street.
Kahuku Coastline Notes
While the Kahuku Coastline is the most remote stretch of shoreline on Oʻahu, it’s also, by far, the dirtiest coastline on Oʻahu. For this reason, I kindly ask that you carry out whatever you can take!
Additionally, some of my typical hiking gear doesn’t apply to a coastal hike like this, but you will want good walking sandals and at least 2-3 liters of water, for all the time spent in the sun.
Native Plants on the Kahuku Coastline
The Kahuku Coastline Trail is one of the better hikes on Oʻahu to see a variety of native Hawaiian plants across the entire trail.
Some of these include Pōhuehue, Naupaka, Hunakai, Alena, Hau, ʻAkoko, and Hinahina, to name only a few.
If you’d like to learn more about these and tons of other native Hawaiian plants from across the islands, I encourage you check out my separate post.
Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide
