The Hidden Park That Will Make You Feel Like You've Discovered Hawaii's Best Kept Secret
By Megan Shute|Published January 14, 2017
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
From Makapu’u Point to Kahuku, Oahu’s windward coast is perhaps one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline found across the Hawaiian Islands, and this little-known state park hiding there is certainly no exception. Ahupua’a O Kahana State Park, formerly known as Kahana Valley State Park, is often overlooked for more accessible spots on the island but is an absolute natural oasis for anyone who wants to get away from it all and have a little adventure.
The state park is Hawaii’s only public ahupua’a - an ancient land division - and stretches from the shores of Kahana Bay to the tip of Pu’u Pauao at 2,670 feet in elevation.
The valley is home to a tropical climate, and is one of the wettest spots on the island of Oahu, receiving an average of 300 inches of rainfall each year.
Before Hawaii’s contact with the western world, the Kahana Valley was home to a strong community, with access to fresh water, abundant seafood, and even a stable supply of taro grown in fields with advanced irrigation technology.
In the 1800s, the community fell into decline due to foreign diseases, sugarcane cultivation, and later the military’s use of the valley as a jungle warfare training center during World War II.
The land has since become a living state park; the land is home to 31 families who assist with interpretive programs that share the Hawaiian values and lifestyle.
Extensive remnants of Hawaiian culture can be found in the valley, including ancient fishponds, heiaus, fishing shrines, irrigation channels and stone-walled enclosures, many of which are inaccessible to the public.
The valley is now home to two beachside campsites as well as two hiking trails perfect for the entire family. The easy Keaniani Lookout Trail is a one mile loop that passes by two cultural sites, and the Nakoa Trail traverses approximately 3.5 miles of a tropical rainforest and crosses the Kahana Stream twice.
Both trails can get extremely muddy after it has rained, so it’s best to keep an eye on the weather for a few days before heading out. Flash flooding dangers are also present, so skip the hike if there’s rain in the forecast.
This relatively unspoiled natural oasis feels worlds away from the bustling capital city of Honolulu - just 26 miles away - and, as you can see for yourself, it is absolutely stunning.
Have you explored the beautiful Ahupua’a O Kahana State Park? Adventurers will also love exploring these 16 Hawaii state parks – from Kauai to Hawaii Island.
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