Hiking Makiki Forest Recreation Area

Honolulu > Hawaii > United States


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How to Get There

From the H1 freeway take Punahou exit, and go north towards the mountains for a few blocks. Go left on Nehoa Street, right on Makiki Street, and the next left onto Makiki Heights Drive where it branches off at a grassy park. Go straight when Makiki Heights Drive makes the first sharp left.

Makiki Forest Recreation Area SignView All Sizes

The restrooms in front of the trailheads for the Kanealole and Maunalaha trails.

The trailhead and map are right behind these restrooms.View All Sizes

easy to see

A parking lot is on the left, and overflow on the roadway behind the sign. Walk up the road towards the Hawaii Nature Center. Trailhead signs are clearly marked. The facilities and trails are all well maintained. Cross the Kanealole Stream and there's the trailhead.

The Kanealole and Maunalaha Trails

Kanealole Trail follows its namesake stream through the Makiki Valley, while the Maunalaha Trail follows the ridgeline to higher altitudes and spectacular views.

The Beginning of Maunalaha TrailView All Sizes

Makiki Forest Recreation Area

Moleka Trailhead, branching off from the Makiki Valley Trail.

Moleka TrailheadView All Sizes

Bamboo ForestView All Sizes

On this venture we first followed Maunalaha Trail, then the Makiki Valley Trail, and finally Moleka Trail before heading back along Round Top Drive to catch the views.

The fellow in the photos is Noah, a good buddy from way back, professional chef and fire dancer. Kimo the Jack Russel Chihuahua happily scampered over the few miles of exotic terrain we walked today, always stopping to curiously sniff at or pee on something.

Looking up the Maunalaha TrailView All Sizes

Looking down the Maunalaha TrailView All Sizes

Lush Makiki Valley

The Makiki Valley is really such a beautiful area. You could spend all day exploring the trails. It's bordered completely by Tantalus Drive and Round Top Drive, so head in any direction and you'll end up at a lovely paved road winding through the jungle or curving along a cliff with stunning views of Manoa Valley, Waikiki and Honolulu beyond.

Manoa Valley from Round Top DriveView All Sizes

Banyan tree with beautiful gnarled rootsView All Sizes

Typical Hawaiian Lava RockView All Sizes

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While in the jungle we came upon many exquisite views across and down into the valley. But on the way back every turn in the road revealed a new peek at Manoa Valley or Diamond Head, until it was all around us.