Requirements of the HIKT

This Hiking journey gets its name as it starts at the original statute of King Kamehameha in Kapaau (Hawi), located at the Northern tip of Hawaii Island , near the birthplace of King Kamehameha. The HIKT moves counterclockwise around the island finishing at the statue of King Kamehameha at Hilo Bay. The Hawaii Island King’s Trail largely follows the National Park Service Ala Kahakai Trail corridor. Much information can be found out about this National Historical Trail (NHT) system through the National Park Service (NPS) https://www.nps.gov/alka/index.htm and the Ala Kahakai Trail Association (ATA) https://www.alakahakaitrail.org/the-trail . This preserved NHT is the basis of the 300-mile Hawaii Island King’s Trail (HIKT) composed of 18 one-way Hike segments, 16 one-day Hikes and two (2) over night two-day Hikes, for a total of 20 days of Hiking. Both the websites above are very important to explain the meaning of important Hawaiian words, culture, and history of the NHT system. Please take time to study these websites prior to starting the HIKT journey. In addition, to register to walk the HIKT, you must take the Pono Pledge, https://ponopledge.com/. Hawaii is a sacred and special place which must be respected. Please open the website, review its video and slide show, and commit to the Pono Pledge prior to starting the HIKT. Please be respectful to this sacred land and follow all the rules in the Pono Pledge and posted by the NPS , ATA, and the State and County of Hawaii. Never trespass.  Only walk on NPS, ATA, State or County approved areas that will include private land that has  a Hawaii County Easement Access.  This guide gives you the waypoints to walk in this public space. You are a visitor to this pristine land and should always leave it better than you find it.  

Finally, please take time to read about King Kemehameha, https://www.nps.gov/puhe/learn/historyculture/kamehameha.htm, as you will be following his path as well as his ancestors as you complete this journey through this National Historical Trail (NHT) considered one of  the most incredible costal Hikes’ in the world! 

The Hawaii Island King’s Trail is an unsupported Hike, so Hikers must plan all arrangements for transportation (pick up and drop off for each segment), lodging, and supplies for each segment. The HIKT has inherent risks and dangers that could cause serious injuries or death. The trail is uneven with many trip hazards. Much of the trail you're walking through lava, some of it razor sharp. Some of the trail you're walking on the cliff edge with steep drop offs where a fall could be fatal. Many of the hike segments have no support for the duration of the hike and limited evacuation. HIKTs will hike at their own risk. This hike series is for advanced hikers.

 This HIKT Guide / Website gives you all the information you need for each HIKT segment to include Meet Up locations, Start and Finish Locations, Hike Conditions and Route Information guiding you in your planning for each HIKT segment. Each HIKT segment provides a link for the Google Waypoints (WPs). Click on the link to load the WPs in Google Maps allowing the use of a smart phone as a navigational device along each HIKT segment. In addition, route information provides grid coordinates as well as approximate distances to allow a HIKT Hiker to load the WPs in other navigational applications, or plot WPs on a map to assist in navigation during the HIKT. The HIKT route information also provides additional historical and informational links for the HIKT segment. Please study the information provided to be properly prepared. 

 This guide recommends HIKT Hikers to not hike alone and file a hiking plan with family or friends. Please enjoy this breathtaking and beautiful segments of the Hawaii Island King’s Trail, the Way of Kamehameha. Ala Loa! Aloha.  

  “Pono” is a traditional Hawai’ian word that cannot easily be translated to just one English word. To live “pono” means to live in harmony with all things, and to adopt a custodial relationship towards the planet and its inhabitants. The “Pono Pledge” is a series of intentions visitors and inhabitants of the Big Island of Hawaii can (and should) promise to comply with when they visit or live on this beautiful island.

1. I pledge to be “pono” (righteous) on the island of Hawai’i.
2. I will mindfully seek wonder, but not wander where I do not belong. 
3. I will not defy death for breathtaking photos, trespass, or venture beyond safety. 
4. I will care for land and sea, and admire wildlife only from afar. 
5. Molten lava will mesmerize me, but I will not disrupt its flow. 
6. I will not take what is not mine, leaving lava rocks and sand as originally found. 
7. I will heed ocean conditions, never turning my back to the Pacific.
8. When rain falls inland, I will remain high above ground, out of rivers and streams. 
9. I will be a steward of the land, revered as my loving chief. 

Sign the Pono Pledge