The Puʻu Maʻeliʻeli trail is a short and easy hike (1.5 miles round trip) with spectacular views of the Windward coast, about 35 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas.
The trail head isn’t too difficult to find. Just park by the Temple Valley Shopping Center in Kanehoe and walk along the guard rails against the direction of traffic. It is on the right side of Kahekili Highway (heading away from town) and is marked by a bright yellow indicator post.
Along the way, you may wonder if you are going the “right” direction. Just stay on the main trail (the widest and most walked-on path). The trail is mostly shaded, but can get muddy in some parts, so walk with caution.
A few helpful hiking tips before starting this hike:
Bring tons of bug repellent and apply liberally and always bring water to stay hydrated.
Wear shoes with enough traction to avoid slipping, and be ready to get them muddy. If it has rained recently, you may want to wait for a sunny day to avoid too much mud along the way. To keep your car from getting dirty, bring a plastic bag to put your shoes in after the hike.
A walking stick will be helpful, especially if it is muddy.
