Koke'e State Park

Kōkeokinae State Park is located in northwestern Kauaokinai in the Hawaiian Islands. It includes a museum at the 15 mile (24 km) marker on State Road 550, which focuses on the weather, vegetation, and bird life; a lodge which serves food and sells gifts; cabins for rent; and hiking trails. The park is just north of Waimea Canyon State Park and includes 4,345 acres (18 km²) of mountainous terrain.

The main attractions of Kōkeokinae State Park trails are the native vegetation, native forest birds, and the scenic cliffside views. Situated on a plateau between 3,200 and 4,200 feet, much of Kōkeokinae is a montane (infrequent frost) mesic (50-100 inches annual rainfall with moist soil conditions) forest dominated by koa ("Acacia koa") and okinaōhiokinaa lehua ("Metrosideros") trees. Annual rainfall is around 70 inches with rainy periods from October to May.

At the end of the state road is a lookout onto the Kalalau Valley, once home to thousands of native Hawaiians. The valley was the backdrop for Jack London's short story Kookinaolau the Leper.

Hiking Trails

* Alakaokinai Swamp Trail, length: 3.5 miles / 5.6 kilometers. Trail through native wet forest to the rim of Wainiha Pali with sweeping view of the north shore. Great bird watching trail. Trail is often wet, slippery and muddy. The majority of this trail is a plank boardwalk covered with chicken wire which provides great traction.
* Awaokinaawapuhi Trail, length: 3.25 miles / 5.2 kilometers. Trail with mesic and dryland native plants. Spectacular view into steep-sided Nuokinaalolo and Awaokinaawapuhi Valleys. Return climb of 1,620 feet.
* Berry Flat Trail, length: 0.6 mile / 1.0 kilometer. This trail traverses a mix of planted alien and native forest types, including redwood and sugi groves and disturbed koa/okinaōhiokinaa forest.
* Black Pipe Trail, length: 0.5 mile / 0.8 kilometer. This trail is an alternate access to the Canyon Trail. Native hibiscus and iliau can be seen along the trail.
* Canyon Trail, length: 1.8 miles / 2.9 kilometers. A popular scenic trail with great views of Waimea and Pookinaomau Canyons. The trail follows the rim of Waimea Canyon and crosses Kōkeokinae Stream.
* Cliff Trail, length: 0.1 mile / 0.16 kilometer. A spur trail leading to a viewpoint of Waimea Canyon. Feral goats are often seen on the canyon walls.
* Ditch Trail, length: 1.7 miles / 2.7 kilometers. A trail developed to construct and maintain the Kōkeokinae Ditch. Vistas of surrounding forest and Pookinaomau Stream.
* Faye Trail, length: 0.1 mile / 0.16 kilometer. A short trail that accesses other trails in the Halemanu area.
* Halemanu-Kōkeokinae Trail, length: 1.2 miles / 1.9 kilometers. This trail wanders through somewhat disturbed koa/okinaōhiokinaa forest. Recovery from Hurricane Iwa and transition to koa forest from drier conditions is evident.
* Iliau Nature Loop, length: 0.25 mile / 0.4 kilometer (length of loop). Easy roadside nature trail through dry shrubland with plants identified. Sweeping views of Waimea Canyon and Waiokinaalae Canyon.
* Kaluapuhi Trail, length: 1.6 miles / 2.6 kilometers. Disturbed okinaōhiokinaa montane mesic forest with some intact forest areas. Good bird watching trail.
* Kukui Trail, Length: 2.5 miles / 4.0 kilometers. Scenic, but steep trail into Waimea Canyon. Elevation drop of 2,000 feet.
* Kumuwela Trail, length: 1.0 mile / 1.6 kilometers. Mosaic of okinaōhiokinaa and koa/okinaōhiokinaa montane mesic forests with alien weed problems and hurricane damage. A good bird watching trail.
* Nature Trail, length: 0.1 mile / 0.16 kilometer. Good starter trail to learn about native forest vegetation.
* Nuokinaalolo Trail, length: 3.75 miles / 6.0 kilometers. Trail through koa/okinaōhiokinaa montane mesic forests and an okinaaokinaaliokinai lowland dry shrubland with a great view of Nuokinaalolo Valley. Return climb of 1,570 feet.
* Pihea Trail, length: 3.7 miles / 5.9 kilometers. Scenic nature trail along the rim of Kalalau Valley, traversing okinaōhiokinaa montane wet forest. Great bird watching trail.
* Puokinau ka okinaOhelo Trail, length: 0.5 mile / 0.8 kilometer. Along this trail are good examples of the impact that invasive alien weeds can have on native forest vegetation.
* Waininiua Trail, length: 0.6 mile / 1.0 kilometer. A good trail to see a relatively intact koa/okinaōhiokinaa montane mesic forest.
* Water Tank Trail, length: 1.0 mile / 1.6 kilometers. This trail provide a good example of native koa/okinaōhiokinaa forest.

External links

* [http://www.kokee.org/ Kōkeokinae State Park]
* [http://www.readbookonline.net/readOnLine/723/ Jack London's story Kookinaolau the Leper - full text]