Manuka Nature Trail

Manuka Nature Trail is a 2.2 mile loop path through a native plant arboretum area and nature reserve accessed from the Manuka State Wayside along Mamalahoa Highway. As a whole, the state wayside park area encompasses 25,000 acres along the southwestern slope of Mauna Loa. The arboretum area in which the trail passes includes 8 acres of native trees and tropical plants planted between the 1930s and 1950s. The trail follows a single track route made up of dirt and rocks, which tends to keep a gradual grade, topping out at around 400' of elevation gain at its high point. Signs are posted along the path that display species names in Hawaiian and Latin. Other signs post numbers, though it was unclear where to find the guide that expanded on what these numbers correspond to. One feature is the large Pit Crater hole, along with several small structures remaining from when this area was used for agriculture. Both were hard to see with the dense foliage.The trail begins and ends at the state wayside parking area, which also has covered picnic tables, informational signs and bathrooms and water. The hike is mostly shady, and the mosquitos can be prevalent here.