UPDATED FEB 2020. Yesterday was definitely a Monday-Funday for me as I got to adventure outdoors with my husband in the gorgeous Hawaiian mountains, hiking the long Maunawili Demonstration Trail. Off we went, hiking and chatting, chatting, and hiking. For us, we both do not enjoy sitting still and being indoors at all, so this was the perfect way to spend the day. Here’s a little guide for the hike we did and some tips to help you plan your own day out in the area.
What You Need To Know To Hike The Maunawili Demonstration Trail
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FAQ for the Maunawili Demonstration Trail
Where is it located?
Kaneohe, about 25 minutes drive from Waikiki.
Is there a cost?
Taxi or Uber back to your car
How difficult is the trail?
Intermediate trail because of the distance.
What should you bring with you?
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Water
- Snacks or energy gels
- Camera (I use a GoPro and this selfie stick)
- Good hiking shoes (I use the New Balance Minimus)
- Swimwear and Lightweight towel if you want to swim in the falls
- Leave some flip flops in the car for afterward because your shoes will probably be muddy
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if you want to swim in the falls
Where to park
I parked in a lot on the side of the road.
If you use ‘Maunawili Falls via Maunawili Demonstration Trail’ in Google Maps you will see there is a scenic point just after the trail and that is where I parked.
From the scenic point, you can take some photos then walk to the Maunawili Falls via Maunawili Demonstration Trail to start the hike.
Endurance trail
This particular hike that I am sharing is one for the endurance adventurers out there.
Most people know the ever so popular trail to get to the Maunawili Falls, where you start by the gate and walk up the muddy trail to reach the falls.
If you like that one and have a spare day for adventure, then this hike may be perfect for you.
What to expect
Set in the most peaceful, jungle setting, it is a very quiet trail that allows you some quality outdoor time to enjoy nature.
We did not see anyone else until we reached the Maunawili end, so it really is a quiet hike. At least it is at the time of writing this anyway.
There are a number of times where you will reach clearings in the trail which provide breathtaking views and the perfect backdrop for photos along the way.
Don’t forget your camera because you will want to take some photos!
How to navigate the Maunawili Demonstration Trail
I used the Maunawili Demonstration Trail and followed it down to Maunawili Falls.
You will reach a fork in the trail where you can go right to connect to the Maunawili trail. It’s a long trail and my legs were very tired at the end of it all.
Actually, they are still a little tired as I am writing this.
There is a mix of dense jungle and open clearings at some of the higher points during the trail.
It wasn’t the easiest to follow, compared to some other hikes on the island because some areas were overgrown and there weren’t many other hikers out there, but it isn’t too daunting.
You’ll just need to pay attention to trail markers in the form of ribbons in trees and the signs along the way.
Towards the end, you will be able to choose to either connect to go to Maunawili Falls or finish up.
There is a sign where the trails connect to guide you. I didn’t go to the falls on this hike because I had been many times before, but if you haven’t been then I recommend going to see them.
After we were done, we got a taxi back up to the Pali lookout and the taxi driver said it’s not the first time he had dropped hikers back up to their cars.
Safety tips
This is a long hike so remember to complete it safely. Start early so you do not get stuck out there in the dark and bring lots of water and snacks with you to keep you going.
It would be an easy area to get lost in so make sure you stick to the trails. This will also help avoid erosion and preserve the area for others to enjoy in the years to come.
It can be slippery in some of the dense jungle areas so make sure you have good hiking shoes.
You will need to wear bug spray for this hike and reapply as you go. There are a lot of bloodsuckers as you get into the more dense areas. We were walking through with them swarming around in big numbers in some parts.
Other things to do nearby
This is a long hike that will take up most of the day but if you want to explore the area more on other days, here are a few options.
For other hikes in the area, I recommend:
- Lulumahu Falls
- Likeke Falls
- Hamama Falls
- The Pali Puka and Pali Notches are more advanced hikes nearby.
If you’d like to go to any of the beaches on this side of the island, you can’t miss:
- Lanikai
- Waimanalo
- Makapuu Tide Pools
After your long hike, I recommend getting an awesome burrito at Paniolos in Kailua.
Where to stay on Oahu
Waikiki is a great place to stay because there’s such an energetic vibe there and always a lot going on.
It also makes it easy to branch off to other areas of the island for your adventure days.
In Waikiki, I recommend the Hilton Hawaiian Village. I like to stay here when I am having a staycation and it’s fantastic.
If you prefer guesthouses or another hotel, I recommend searching on Booking.com. I use it to book accommodation when I am traveling and can usually find a great deal through their site.
I hope this helps you plan your own adventure day on the Maunawili Demonstration Trail.
As always, hike safely, use your best judgment, and treat the area with respect.
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