Hiking the Kapaʻeleʻele Trail on Oʻahu

Distance: 1.2 miles / 1.9 km

Next to the popular Crouching Lion hike, the Kapaʻeleʻele Trail in Kahana Valley is one of the least known and least trafficked trails on Oʻahu.

However, if you’re looking for a quick easy adventure, I recommend Kapaʻeleʻele because of the beautiful views above Kahana Bay once you get to Keaniani Kilo.

Kapaʻeleʻele Trailhead Parking

Parking for the Kapaʻeleʻele Trail is located within Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana State Park at the Orientation Center.

Google Maps Directions: Kapaʻeleʻele Trailhead

Kapaʻeleʻele Trailhead Parking

Kapaʻeleʻele Trailhead Parking

 

Hiking the Kapaʻeleʻele Trail

From the Orientation Center, look for the Kapaʻeleʻele Trail sign.

Kapaʻeleʻele begins down this dirt road where the trailhead is marked shortly ahead.

Kapaʻeleʻele Trailhead

Stay on the main path heading straight (left).

Go Left

Kapaʻeleʻele Trail

Kapaʻeleʻele Trail

At about 0.2 miles (0.3 km), the Kapaʻeleʻele Trailhead is marked before it heads uphill around Kahana Bay.

Kapaʻeleʻele Trail

Kapaʻeleʻele Trail

If it has rained recently, the Kapaʻeleʻele Trail may be one of the muddiest hikes on the island.

Kapaʻeleʻele Trail

Kapaʻeleʻele Trail

Kapaʻeleʻele Trail

Kapaʻeleʻele Trail

Go right at this split to stay on the Kapaʻeleʻele Trail.

Go Right

Keaniani Kilo

There is a lot of confusion surrounding the map posted by the DLNR and the location of Keaniani Kilo, which is supposed to be a lookout over Kahana Bay.

All I can say is that the lookout in the photo below is the only lookout on the entire trail. The map shows that Keaniani Kilo is located past Kapaʻeleʻele Koʻa, but it may be a historic lookout that is no longer there because of all the non-native trees blocking the view.

That’s why I’m calling this Keaniani Kilo. There is no other lookout where the map says that there is ahead.

Keaniani Kilo

Kapaʻeleʻele Trail

Kapaʻeleʻele Trail

Kapaʻeleʻele Trail

Kapaʻeleʻele Koʻa

The Kapaʻeleʻele Koʻa shrine is the most well-marked historic site on the trail.

Please do not disturb.

Kapaʻeleʻele Koʻa

Kapaʻeleʻele Koʻa

Kapaʻeleʻele Trail

This split in the photo below is where the map says that Keaniani Kilo is located.

However, I followed the trail up the ridge for quite a ways and didn’t find anything like the Kapaʻeleʻele Koʻa shrine. To that point, other people on various sites have said the same.

Kapaʻeleʻele Koʻa may have been located up the ridge historically, but there’s nothing to find today.

Kila Ridge Junction (Puʻu Piei)

However, the junction is the turn for Kila Ridge up to the most difficult part of Puʻu Piei.

If you’re curious to know more, I have written a separate post about the North and Middle Ridges on Puʻu Piei, including some information about the dramatic Piei Makai Ridge to the summit.

Read My Separate Post: Puʻu Piei Trail

Go Right

These final switchbacks down to Kamehameha Highway may be one of the muddiest spots on the entire trail.

Kapaʻeleʻele Trail

Kapaʻeleʻele Trail

This is the official Kapʻeleʻele Trailhead/ exit, but it’s surprisingly not marked in any way.

Kapaʻeleʻele Trailhead

Additionally, even the DLNR website says that the route back to the start is along the side of Kamehameha Highway, but it seems a little dangerous to me.

Perhaps they should build a path to keep hikers away from the traffic.

Kamehameha Highway

Back in the State Park

Native Plants on the Kapaʻeleʻele Trail

Kapaʻeleʻele is a very low-elevation trail for Hawaiʻi, meaning that the hike is dominated by non-native/ invasive plants like Octopus trees and Shoe Button.

However, in select spots, I was able to find ʻĀkia on the trail.

If you would like to learn more about native plants in Hawaiʻi, check out my separate post about our beautiful native species from across the islands.

Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide

ʻĀkia - (Wikstroemia oahuensis var. oahuensis)

@noahawaii

Hi,

Iʻm a self-taught adventure photographer living on the island of Oʻahu.

@noahawaii

https://noahlangphotography.com/
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Hiking the Nākoa Trail on Oʻahu

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Hiking the Koko Crater Arch Trail on Oʻahu