Wai’ānapanapa State Park is an incredibly beautiful place to hike. The 122-acre state park houses a variety of natural and historic sites. Wai’ānapanapa means “glistening water” or “water shining with rainbow hues.” While most visitors make a quick stop while zipping along the Road to Hāna and check out the black sand beach, there are great hiking opportunities for visitors that want to spend the day. The park’s centerpiece is Pā’iloa Bay black sand beach, but the coastline along the entire park is replete with lava formations, caves, ancient sites, a rare pictograph, and native forests. Hiking all the trails in the park is about six miles, but the trails can be enjoyed individually for a shorter hike. The park is open daily from 7am-6pm, but reservations are now required for entry.

Reservations: Advance reservations are now required for all vehicles, walk-in entry, and PUC vehicles visiting Waiʻānapanapa State Park. Plan your trip accordingly. Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance, and no later than the day before your visit. State of Hawaii residents are exempt from the fee/reservation requirement – proof of state residency is required at time of entry, with either a Hawaii State Driver's License or ID. Visitors accompanying State of Hawaii residents to visit Waiʻānapanapa State Park are not exempt from the entry fee. The fee for out-of-state vehicles is $10, plus an additional charge of $5 per person. There are four time slots per day: 7am-10am, 10am-12:30pm, 12:30pm-3pm, and 3pm-6pm. Purchase reservations at this website. Camping can be reserved as well.

Trailhead: On the Hāna Highway (Hwy. 360), turn makai (toward the ocean) at mile marker 32 and find Honokalani Road (Wai’ānapanapa Road). Follow the road and show your reservation at the gate. There are restrooms, trash bins, and water.

Weather

Gear: Standard hiking gear. Wear sturdy boots for the longer hikes in the park. Bring plenty of water and sun protection.

Hikes: There are two hikes available in the park. Essentially, they travel northwest and southeast from the parking area. Both trails are worth exploring.

• Ke Ala Loa O Maui Trail: Take the paved trail toward Pā’iloa Bay black sand beach (sometimes called Honokalani black sand beach). This starkly black lava beach is stunning, and you’ll also find a small collapsed lava tube cave that offers great photo opportunities. Behind Pā’iloa Bay, find the ancient King’s Trail. The trail travels for 3/4 mile past gorgeous lava coastline to Kaukeali’i Heiau, an ancient temple. This trail was built by the high chief Kihaapi’ilani. The trail ends shortly past Pukaulua Point near the airport. Stay on the trail and off of any ancient sites or graves. This trail is 1.7 miles round-trip and 635’ of elevation gain.

• Pi’ilani Trail: This trail begins near Pā’iloa Bay. Hike east past a broad lava bench with a blowhole that erupts at high tide. Give the blowhole a wide berth as it is impossible to predict the force of the spray. Find the ancient King’s Trail and follow it east through a gorgeous hala tree grove. After a bit more than 1/3 mile, and slightly to the east of the cabins, look for a low rock wall about 25 feet mauka (toward the mountains) from the trail. Along this wall, you’ll find a faint red pictograph of a human figure. Pictographs are painted upon the rock, as opposed to petroglyphs that are carved into rock. Pictographs are incredibly rare on Maui and the Hawaiian islands in general. The figure appears to be in motion with some sort of bracelet or ornamental material on its arms. Do not touch the pictograph or disturb the area in any way. Back on the main trail, you’ll soon encounter the ruins of Ohala Heiau indicated by a sign. Again, keep out of all ancient sites. This trail continues almost all the way to the town of Hāna along amazing and violent lava coastline. You’ll pass by many more ancient sites. Wai’ānapanapa State Park ends after about one mile, but the trail continues as a Nā Ala Hele trail for another mile where it terminates at Kā’inalimu Bay. This trail is four miles round-trip and 570’ of elevation gain.