Native Paths To Volunteer Trails

This book records the history of the creation of 50 Oahu hiking trails, beginning with those made by Hawaiian prior to 1800 and ending with those made by volunteers in the 1990s.

O‘ahu has a varied, extensive, and distinctive network of mountain hiking trails. Stuart M. Ball, Jr., author of The Hikers Guide to O‘ahu, explores the history behind many of the island’s trails, beginning with early Hawaiians who blazed routes for traveling, plant and wood gathering, and bird catching. Sugar plantations constructed paths to access ditches that tapped stream water for thirsty cane. The U.S. Army built trails for training and island defense, while those developed by the Territorial Forestry Division and the Civilian Conservation Corps were mainly for reforestation and wild pig control. Most recently, volunteers and hiking clubs have created additional routes solely for recreation. The result of all this varied activity is a large network of just over a 100 mountain trails, a precious resource on a small, populous island. The book compiles the history of 50 of those trails. Most of them still exist, and many are open to the public. The trails are arranged by the group or organization that built them, moving from Hawaiian trails before 1800 to volunteer trails of the 1990s. Each chapter contains an overview that describes the background and purpose of the trail building during the period covered. The trail histories are self-contained, recording the major events from construction through 2010. Native Paths to Volunteer Trails will allow fans of O‘ahu’s hiking trails—and Hawai‘i history buffs—to trek into the past and learn about some of their favorite routes and research future ones.

Experienced and novice hikers alike will benefit from the information in this updated and expanded edition of the best-selling The Hikers Guide to O‘ahu. The author describes in detail 52 trails that will take you to O‘ahu’s lush valleys, cascading waterfalls, windswept ridges, and remote seacoasts. Although 8 trails from the previous edition are no longer open to the public, 10 new hikes have been added. Included for each hike are directions for reaching the trailhead, a detailed route description, and information on the length of the hike, degree of difficulty, and trail conditions. For GPS users, UTM coordinates have been added for the midpoint or endpoint of each route. An expanded notes section will help readers identify geological features, historical points of interest, and commonly encountered plants and birds along the trail. The full-color insert of 22 photos will inspire hikers to explore different trails.

Experienced and novice hikers alike will benefit from the information in this updated and expanded edition of the best-selling The Hikers Guide to O‘ahu. The author describes in detail 52 trails that will take you to O‘ahu’s lush valleys, cascading waterfalls, windswept ridges, and remote seacoasts. Although 8 trails from the previous edition are no longer open to the public, 10 new hikes have been added. Included for each hike are directions for reaching the trailhead, a detailed route description, and information on the length of the hike, degree of difficulty, and trail conditions. For GPS users, UTM coordinates have been added for the midpoint or endpoint of each route. An expanded notes section will help readers identify geological features, historical points of interest, and commonly encountered plants and birds along the trail. The full-color insert of 22 photos will inspire hikers to explore different trails.

Written in the same accessible style and format as the highly successful The Hikers Guide to O‘ahu, this updated and expanded volume includes the best day hikes and backpacks on the Big Island, Kaua‘i, Maui, and O‘ahu. Each island is represented by thirteen hikes, for a total of fifty-two in all. Together they offer residents and visitors the essential information to safely explore some of Hawai‘i’s most spectacular scenery. For each trip, the author provides directions to the trailhead, a detailed route description, a topographical map, and facts on the hike length, elevation gain, and degree of difficulty. For GPS users, UTM and latitude/longitude coordinates are added for the trailhead and endpoint of each route. The expanded notes section helps readers identify and appreciate geological features, historical points of interest, and commonly encountered plants and birds along the trail. An insert of color photographs highlights the breathtaking scenery enjoyed by hikers.

With over 500 recorded waterfalls, Hawaii is one of the states with the most waterfalls in the country. Many of these falls empty into swimmable pools, and the hot, tropical weather makes the payoff of a cool waterfall at the end of a hike particularly alluring. Hiking Waterfalls Hawaii takes you through state and national parks, forests, monuments and wilderness areas, and from popular city parks to the most remote and secluded corners of the area to view the most spectacular waterfalls. Look inside to find: Hikes suited to every ability Mile-by-mile directional cues Difficulty ratings, trail contacts, fees/permits, and best hiking seasons GPS location for each trailhead

Written in the same accessible style and format as the highly successful The Hikers Guide to Oahu, this volume is a detailed and fully illustrated guide to the best day hikes on the Big Island, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu. Each island is represented by an equal number of hikes, 44 in all. Together they offer both resident and visitor alike the chance to explore some of Hawaii's most spectacular scenery. For each trip, the author provides detailed directions to the trailhead, a feature-by-feature description of the route, a topographic map keyed to the route description, and comments on common plants and animals, geological formations, historical sites, and other points of interest. Each hike is categorized by difficulty. Hiking tips, safety considerations, and a list of trail and camping information sources are included.View the latest updates