Pu'u Ma'eli'eli Trail

Pu'u Ma'eli'eli is a fun and easy trail in northeastern O'ahu located right across the highway from Valley of the Temples. The views from the top are pretty spectacular and stretch from Kaneohe Bay and Chinaman's Hat all the way to Kailua. There are wonderful glimpses of the Ko'olau Mountains, especially on your way back down. The hike takes you up to several old pill boxes that date back to World War II. Wildflowers dot the lush jungle trail as well as many species of exotic plants and trees. It's a nice mix of views and flora, and it is not too far from town. There are fantastic views of the Kaneohe Sandbar, Coconut Island, He'eia Fish Pond and the Marine Corps base. Kaneohe usually is semi-cloudy and usually has rain at some point in the day so the trail is often muddy and slippery. Wear a pair of shoes you don't care about, because the red dirt of Hawaii does a number on your gear. The trail has lots of foliage, so it can be muggy but is generally not too hot. Because it isn't particularly dangerous or steep, this trail is a good choice for the whole family.