HAWAII

Hairy Starfish Flower, Hawaii © Julia Patriarche
Hairy Starfish Flower, Hawaii
© Julia Patriarche

Hawaii has a number of trails with minimal obstacles.  Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible.  Here are just a few of them.
Most of the links given were found through Internet search. Some places I have been able to visit and a few have been recommended to me by other people who have been there. With your help, we can share our knowledge with disabled people everywhere and also increase awareness of the need for more accessibility. Please e-mail me with your suggestions using the form in the sidebar.

Federal
State
Local
Private
Miscellaneous

Federal

  • Haleakala National Park
    Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui covers an area of 33,265 acres of which 19,270 acres  is a wilderness area.  The park features include the dormant Haleakalā volcano with its huge crater and the Kīpahulu coast near Hana. There is a unique forest of alien trees.
    The summit area’s altitude is 10,023 which makes even easy hiking more challenging.  There are a number of short trails in the summit area, but none of them wheelchair accessible.  Best to call ahead to get an idea of which are considered easy.
    In the Kīpahulu area, there are accessible parking spaces and restrooms near the visitor center. The only paved portion of trail leads to the visitor center.
     Accessibility    For the hearing-impaired, a script is available for a backcountry slide orientation program at Park Headquarters Visitor Center and Haleakalā Visitor Center.
    Phone 808-572-4400    Maps   Here is their website.   

  • Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
    Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is on Hawai’i – The Big Island. The island of Hawai`i actually consists of five volcanoes. The ongoing eruptions of Kīlauea Volcano and the periodic eruptions of Mauna Loa, offer opportunity “…to witness the formation of an array of astounding geologic features including new cinder cones, glowing pit craters, rivers of lava and fountains of spatter. ”  The Park protects many rare species of plants and animals.

    From the Accessibility page of the park’s website: “The Kīlauea Visitor Center, Jaggar Museum, Volcano House and Volcano Art Center are wheelchair accessible.   Here is the Park website.    Map    Phone 808-985-6000
    Wheelchair AccessibleHa’akulamanu (Sulphur Banks) Trail 1.2 mile round trip.  “Visitors with heart or respiratory problems (such as asthema), pregnant women, infants, or young children should avoid this walk.”
    Wheelchair AccessibleDevastation Trail 1 mile round trip There are sections of this paved trail that have grades greater than eight percent (8%).
    Kīpukapuaulu   1 mile round trip.  “Be aware that concentrated SO2 gasses (sulphur dioxide) and sulphur fumes from Halema‘uma‘u Crater can be dangerous for those with heart or respiratory conditions.”
    Crater Rim Trail  Two sections are currently open.  Call to learn more.

  • Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge 
    Kealia Pond NWR is on Maui, on Ma’alaea Bay.   It is a wetland transition from urban development and agriculture fields.  Endangered Hawaiian waterbirds are protected here and are joined by migratory birds in winter.  Information about the Refuge’s wildlife and habitat.     Map     Here is their website.   Phone 808-875-1582 to find out about accessibility of these trails. 
    Hikerwithcane      Kanuimanu Ponds Trail  0.8 mile  From Oh Ranger , “This trail provides the best wildlife viewing and photography access at the refuge. Visitors hike along the perimeter of refuge ponds to view one of the largest concentrations of endangered water birds, migratory waterfowl and shorebirds in Hawaii. ”
    HikerwithcaneKealia Coastal Boardwalk is a “2,200-foot boardwalk and kiosk with self-guided interpretive exhibits…”

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State

  • Hawaii State Parks  Here is the state’s brochure about parks.  Although the handicapped icon is not among those listed in the legend on page 3, if you scroll down you will find several sites where a red symbol is used for accessibility.  Note that some of the parks are temporarily closed due to flooding.  Always call ahead to check conditions.

  • ‘Akaka Falls State Park
    This park on the Island of Hawai’i offers lush tropical vegetation  and scenic vista points overlooking the Kahuna Falls (cascading down 300 feet) and the  ‘Akaka Falls (free-falling 442 feet).  Both falls plunge into a steep-sided gulch cut by Kolekole Stream.
    ? Overlook trail  to Kahuna Falls and ‘Akaka Falls  0.4 mile paved loop.  This trail  “…requires some physical exertion with stairs, short uphill slopes, and several bridges over small tributary streams. The trail is not ADA accessible.”

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Local

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Private

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Miscellaneous

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