Discover Hawaii Island AS A HIKT-Hiker

 The Hawaii Island King's Trail (HIKT), The Way of Kamehameha, is a project documenting a 300-mile coastal route linking the original statue of King Kamehameha located near his birthplace in the northernmost town on Hawaii Island, Kapa'au, to the second statue of King Kamehameha in Hilo, the island’s seat of government.; "Ala Loa", the long way, the Kings Trail. The idea began in 2023 and was refined in 2024. It is now open up to everyone in 2025.

The HIKT route consists of 18 hike segments - (16) one-day hike segments and (2), two-day overnight hike segments - that utilize National Park, State, and County land, and Private Property with Hawaii County Access Easements. This 20-day journey was developed and led by Dr. Chad R. Walker to honor King Kamehameha I and bring awareness to the great history and raw beauty of Hawaii Island. HIKT travels through 7 of the 9 Hawaii Island County Districts, 4 National Parks, 10 State Parks and 28 Hawaii Island County Parks. The HIKT covers the full 175 miles of the Ala Kahakai National Historical Trail Corridor and covers an additional 125 miles of coastal trails and roads. Of the 300+ mile route, approximately 250 miles are on a coastal trail with only 50 miles on a paved road.

This unsupported trail series requires a hiker to plan logistical support to get to and from the start and finish locations of each segment. Each of the 18 segments are advanced hikes averaging 8-hours, traversing rough terrain with an average distance of 15 miles. This hiking series has inherent risk that could cause series injury to include death.  This privately funded project of volunteer hikers is under the awareness of the State of Hawaii Na Ala Hele Trail and Access Program as well as the County of Hawaii, utilizing County, State, and National Park access to the route.  

Hikers of the HIKT are affectionately referred to as a "HIKT-Hiker". If you are interested in experiencing this unforgettable opportunity, consider joining us and becoming a HIKT-Hiker.