The NHP has three main sites, the first is the Aiopio Fishtrap, accessible through the Park Entrance, which is located next to the Honokohau Harbor (equip with restrooms). Getting to the beach and Fishtrap requires a short easily walk from the parking lot. The Fishtrap sits adjacent to the Honokohau Beach on Honokohau Bay, the best spot in the park to swim, snorkel and turtle watch. As part of the park rules and Hawaii law, there is no touching of the turtles as they are protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act. This is popular shore fishing location; both traditional and native shore methods are used, including lay and throw nets as well as spears and poles. The beach is the backdrop for many sunset weddings and also possesses the largest heiau (religious site) in the park where traditional and religious activities are still held. A short walk north of the beach along the Ala Hele Kahakai path is the Aimakapa Fishpond, the best spot in the park to bird watch. Common birds seen here are the Hawaiian Coot, Wandering Tattler and Ruddy Turnstone.

The fishpond sits ocean side of the park’s newest development, the second main site, the Hale Hookipa (House of Welcome) or Visitors Center. The Center is a short half-mile drive north of the Harbor and park entrance. The Center is always staffed with a Park Ranger to help answer questions, information boards, bathrooms, a gift shop, and drinking water fountain (the only available water in the entire park). Orientation talks are available upon request.

The Visitors Center has two foot paths, one, the Ala Hele Ike Hawaii trail, is scattered with brackish ponds, ancient Hawaiian ruins and petroglyphs (make sure to ask where you can find the petrogylphs because there are no signs). The path leads down to Honokohau beach and is roughly 1/2 mile walk, the other, called the old King’s highway splits and leads down a dirt road (Ale Nui Kaloko road) to the Kaloko Fishpond and the other is the Ala Hele Hue Hue trail or the old jeep trail, roughly a mile respectively, though they feel longer because there is minimal shade. The old jeep trail leads down to Honokohau or Harbor lefts, a surf break, which is popular spot among local surfers because of its seclusion. Lefts requires about a half mile, 15 minute walk, from the third site at the park, Kaloko Fishpond. Here there are public restrooms, picnic tables and is a favorite spot for families to come on the weekends to BBQ and have parties. The road down to Kaloko is another 1/2 mile beyond the Visitors Center is the only road on the left side. Kaloko is the end of the Ala Hele Kahakai trail, from the Aiopio Fishtrap to Kaloko is about 1 1/2 miles. There is a second trail about the north side of Kaloko fishpond, Ala Hele Poe Kahiko, which loops around the pond and connects back to the main dirt road, approximately a little longer than a 1/2 mile. Perhaps most attractive feature of the park is that is not largely developed and has few visitor facilities making it a unique finders paradise.

Written By: Hadley Catalano

Features
Bathrooms  |  Picnic Tables  |  Snorkeling  |  Swimming Areas  |  Restrooms  |  Parking  |  Picnic Area  |  Shady Areas  |  Surfing  |  Kid Friendly  |  Walking Trails

Add Your Comments
Please Enter ONLY Comments. DO NOT ENTER Questions or requests for information. They will NOT be answered and will be deleted. You need to contact the establishments directly for answers to your questions.

Your Name

Your Email

Subject of Comment

Your Comment

Type The Characters You See From The Image Below

Want us to link your web site? Just Fill Our our link request form by clicking here.

See something you like? Something you don't like? Send us your feedback. Let us know what you want to see on Hawaii, it's your web site! Email us at webmaster@kulshan.com

Copyright 1999-2006 Berry International ALL RIGHTS RESERVED