Kaunala Trail

Trailhead

Description: This Na Ala Hele trail wanders through the convoluted mish-mash of northern-tip Koolau ridges and gulches above Pupukea in both Pupukea Paumalu and Kahuku Forest Reserves. The graded path meanders through Kaunala and Pahipahialua Gulches while an "extended" portion of the trail crosses the upper reaches of Anakaoe, Oio, Ulupehupehu, and Punalau Ridges. What to Expect: This is a 2.5-mile loop trail which contours the gulches between the 900-ft and 1400-ft elevation. The return half utilizes a jeep trail (from the Camp Paumalu Girl Scout Camp) to return to the exit (near the Camp Pupukea Boy Scout Camp). Trailhead Location: The actual trailhead is a junction along the dirt portion of Pupukea Road, about 0.8-mile from the end of the paved road. The dirt road you follow is merely the unpaved extension of the Pupukea Road that extends past the vehicular gate next to the Pupukea Boy Scout Camp. Once on the dirt road, ignore junctions to the right. About 0.7-mile from the the vehicular gate / paved road terminus you will arrive at a fork in the dirt road of which you stay to the left. (The right fork, which is blocked by a locked and signed gate, is the Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road - a long, private agricultural/military access road.) The signed trail junction will be on the your left side briefly after that fork. Accessing the Trail: Drive to the end of Pupukea Road, which junctions with Kamehameha Hwy (Rte 83) near the Foodland between Waimea Valley and Sunset Beach. You'll pass through about two miles of the Pupukea Paumalu Homesteads before entering the Pupukea Paumalu Forest Reserve. The forest reserve vehicular gate marks the end of the Pupukea Road. Because the trail crosses through an active, public hunting area as well as an U.S. Army training area, hiking is allowed only on weekends and state/national holidays. Property/Access: Open/public-access. Public access and trail maintenance overseen by Na Ala Hele. Dangers/Other Considerations: As with all hiking, exercise caution and prudent judgement.