Kalahuipuaʻa Historic Trail


The first segment of this easy trail meanders through a 16th-century Hawaiian settlement, passing lava tubes once used as cave shelters and a few other archaeological and geological sites marked by interpretive plaques. The trail then skirts ancient fishponds lined with coconut palms. You can continue walking towards Makaiwa Bay, or loop around the Kalahuipuaʻa Fishponds and back to the start (about 1-1.5 miles round-trip depending on whether you go all the way to the water).

Located on the Mauna Lani Bay resort grounds, the trail starts at a marked parking lot opposite the hotel convenience store.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Hale ‘I‘ike

0.31 MILES

Part of the lobby space of the Auberge Mauna Lani resort is taken over by this museum, which showcases a wide range of royal artifacts, shark-tooth…

2. Kalahuipuaʻa Fishponds

0.39 MILES

These ancient fishponds are among the island's few remaining working fishponds. As in ancient times, they're stocked with awa (Hawaiian milk fish). Water…

3. Holoholokai Beach Park

0.95 MILES

Forget about sand and enjoy picnicking and strolling at this pleasantly uncrowded beach, blanketed by chunks of coral and lava. Facilities include…

4. Puako Petroglyph Preserve

1.08 MILES

With more than 3000 petroglyphs that date back as far as the 16th century, this preserve is among the largest collections of ancient lava carvings in…

5. Puako Shoreline

1.26 MILES

Puako is known for its large, attractive tide pools. There are multiple public shoreline access points along Puako Beach Dr, but the entrance area before…

6. Waikoloa Petroglyph Preserve

2 MILES

This collection of petroglyphs carved in lava rock is so easy to access that it merits a stop, although the Puako Petroglyph Preserve further north is…

8. Ala Kahakai

2.32 MILES

A portion of Ala Kahakai – the King's Trail – winds through Waikoloa, offering a somewhat incongruous dose of ancient Hawaiian history and heritage within…