Easy hikes and walks around Hawaiian Ocean View

There is a nice picnic table with an amazing view of the surrounding forest reserve. This area was acquired by purchasing a large portion of a cattle farm. The area is still being developed, but most of the trails and view here are ready to go!

Here at this fork, to the east, about half a mile into the park from Highway 11, there is a gravel parking area with an open-air ranger station to the west side. Here, visitors can get all their questions answered. On the west side, there are two main attractions on a dirt road in the next half mile: 1-Pu'u o Lokuana is a red-walled cinder cone volcano. This cone used to be 100 feet higher but was mined as a cinder quarry before it became a protected area. The cinder stones were to decorate paths and roads all over Hawaiʻi. During the second world war, Puʻu o Lokuana was also the location of the secret Kahuku radio station, and visitors can still see the remains of it. 2-The Kamakapaʻa Trail crests a small grassy cinder cone just a short walk from Kahuku Roa. The surrounding area is the Kaʻu region, which historically had sugar cane, bananas, and purple sweet potato farms. This spot was a good spot to hunt pigs and goats. About half a mile into the park from Highway 11, there is a gravel parking area with an open-air ranger station to the east side. Here,  visitors can get all their questions answered.

Manukā Nature Trail is located in the Manukā Natural Area Reserve and leads through a beautiful forest of Hawaiian plants and animals. Besides that, you will pass multiple remains of the old arboretum that was located here and is completely overgrown today. The trail doesn't include a lot of inclines, but the rugged path makes it a little more difficult, so it can be rated a moderate hike.

Reaching Kamakapa‘a peak is a relatively easy run thanks to the flat terrain. At the summit, take in sweeping views encompassing the expansive breadth of lower Kaʻū, an exceptional panorama as your reward for the moderate ascent.

The R.O.D. gate is currently the northernmost parking area in the Kahuku Unit. Here visitors must disinfect their boots to avoid spreading Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (a disease that affects the native ʻŌhiʻa trees) within the park. All routes to the Kona Trail and Glover Trails start here with a 1.2 mile walk up the R.O.D. road. The ridgeline Pali o Ka‘eo Trail (which provides views of the coast, and Pit Crater Trail to the Forested Pit Crater are also accessible to the east of the gate.

The 250 foot high walls of the Forested Pit Crater have protected the flora and fauna within from ecological changes caused by ranching in Kahuku. The crater is a time capsule of the natural landscape, and harbors many unique endangered species.

The Pu’u o Lokuana Trail is one of the most diverse trails in the park. Hikers traverse barren lava flows from the 1800s, magma formations, a landing stip, and lush green pastures within a two mile walk.

The Kamakapa'a Trail crests a small grassy cinder cone in the lush Kahuku Unit. If you are looking to extend the distance of the Pu'u o Lokuana Trail, this is a great option.