The Hawaiʻi Island Trails
Hawaiʻi is composed of a network of culturally significant ancient and historic trails which traverse ahupuaʻa throughout the coastlines. These trails serve to connect communities from mauka to makai, between ahupuaʻa, and by channels across islands. In alignment with our mission to perpetuate the legacy of our ancestors, the Ala Kahakai Trail Association (ATA) is committed to connecting, reconnecting and enhancing the connections of families and communities with ancient and historic ties to the trail.
(Above) An ancient meandering trail can be seen next to the Ala Loa - a historic trail that is lined with curbing which improved travel across the landscape.
“The path of least resistance”
Initially, Hawaiʻi Island trails followed the natural contours of the land. The ancient rail system, the ala loa, connected to a diverse network of ala lihi kai (coastal trails) and ala piʻi uka (mountain-ocean trails), with various trails that fell between, connecting communities across wide expanses of land. These trails were modified over time for efficiency and in adaptation to the land use of that time.
Ala loa, Manukā, Kaʻū
ala Kahakai
Path near the shore; coastal trail
Ala Hele
Travel path; trails
Ala Nui Aupuni
Large government path; Government road systems “Old Government Road”
Ala Loa
Long path; “The King’s Trail”
Examples of sections of ancient trails that are now commonly used today:
Aliʻi Drive
Trail from Mahaiʻula to Makalawena
Beach access entryways and connectors
Kānāwai o Māmalahoe
Enacted by Kamehameha Paiʻea (I), Kānāwai o Māmalahoe provided protection for travelers along the trail. This law established the King’s claim that all who traversed the trails were guaranteed safe passage and that no one woman or man should be harmed when traversing from place to place. This encouraged use of the trails and the connectivity that such use would create.
Hawaiʻi island trails are a dynamic characteristic of our land and our people.
If a trail existed in 1892, it is a public trail today and under jurisdiction of the State
(HRS 264-1)
The highways act of 1892
In October of 1892, Queen Liliʻuokalani approved law that would define the role of trails in our communities today. Liliʻuokalani deemed that the ownership of all public highways and the land, real estate and property of the same, are in the Hawaiian Government in fee simple.
This includes all existing trails at the time “or hereafter opened, laid out or built by the Government, or by private parties, and dedicated or abandoned to the public as a highway, are hereby declared to be public highways.” Furthermore, “All public highways once established shall continue until abandoned by due process of law”.
Chapter 264-1(b), Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS)
HRS Chapter 264-1(B) furthers the intent of the Highways Act by stating that all trails, and other nonvehicular rights-of-way in the State declared to be public rights-of-way by the Highways Act of 1892, or opened, laid out, or built by the government or otherwise created or vested as nonvehicular public rights of way at any time hereafter, or in the future, are declared to be public trails. A public trail is under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Land and Natural Resources - unless it was created by or dedicated to a particular county, in which case it shall be under the jurisdiction of that county. All State trails once established shall continue until lawfully disposed of pursuant to Chapter 171, HRS.
Ala kahakai national historic trail
(Above) Map depicting the corridor of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail.
•Mauka to Makai
•Ahupuaʻa
•Cultural & historical sites
•Natural Resources
•Ceremony and Seasons
Connectivity:
•220 ahupua‘a
•4 national parks
•6 state parks
•11 county parks
The Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail is a section of trails on the island of Hawaii along the coastline. The main trail within this corridor is the Ala Loa (lit. The long trail) that followed near or along the coast of the island. The other parts of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail are the ancient and historic trails that connect the Ala Loa to sites and trails mauka (upland) and makai (coastal land).
Ala Kahakai (ALKA) was designated a National Historic Trail (NHT) in 2000, composing a 175-mile coastal network of ancient, historic, and modern trails from the northern tip of Hawaiʻi Island, along the western and southern coastline to the eastern boundary of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. ALKA NHT serves to preserve, protect, interpret, and reestablish as necessary, the trail system within this corridor, maintaining these trails in partnership with governmental and non-governmental partners while encouraging descendant-led stewardship of trails and resources.