Before You Go — Safe & Responsible Hiking
Essential tips for exploring Hawaii's trails with safety, preparation, and deep respect for the land
Written by a Local Hiking Expert
Kalani MillerExploring the Big Island's trails is an incredible privilege, but it comes with a responsibility. In Hawaiian culture, we have a principle called Mālama ʻĀina—to care for the land. This isn't just about picking up trash; it's a deep, reciprocal relationship. We care for the land, and the land cares for us. The lawaiʻa legacy follows one core principle: pono. Pono means righteousness, balance, and correctness. In hiking, it's a deep ethic of respect and care for the ʻāina. This isn't new thinking. It's ancient wisdom that has sustained these islands for centuries.
The best way for a hiker to practice Mālama ʻĀina is to be fully prepared. An unprepared hiker who gets lost or injured not only puts themselves at risk but also strains the local community and rescue resources. Being self-sufficient, knowledgeable, and respectful is the ultimate expression of aloha for this place.
What's in My Pack? The Essential Big Island Hiking Kit
This is what I carry in my daypack for almost every hike on the island. It's a system I've refined over years of experience.
👟 Footwear
This is the most critical piece of gear. You need sturdy, closed-toe shoes with good tread. Hiking over sharp, abrasive lava rock can shred flimsy shoes and your feet. I personally prefer lightweight hiking boots for ankle support, but a good pair of trail runners can work for less rugged trails. Leave the flip-flops for the beach.
💧 Hydration System
I carry a 3-liter hydration bladder in my pack. It allows me to sip water constantly without stopping, which is key to preventing dehydration in the heat. For long, hot hikes like Papakōlea, I always add electrolyte powder to one of my water bottles. You can sweat up to two quarts of fluid an hour here, so you need to replace salts, not just water.
👕 Layered Clothing
The Big Island has 8 of the world's 13 climate zones, and you can experience several of them on a single hike. I always pack a lightweight, breathable rain jacket, even if the sky is perfectly blue when I start. For hikes at higher elevations, like in the Volcano area, a light fleece or a long-sleeved wicking shirt is essential for warmth as temperatures can drop quickly.
☀️ Sun Protection
The Hawaiian sun is incredibly intense, especially at higher elevations or when reflected off black lava. A wide-brimmed hat, polarized sunglasses, and reef-safe sunscreen are absolutely non-negotiable items in my pack.
🩹 Simple First-Aid Kit
You don't need a massive kit, just the basics: antiseptic wipes, assorted bandages, medical tape, and, most importantly, moleskin or blister treatment. A small blister can ruin a hike if you can't treat it on the trail.
Understanding the Elements: Weather, Vog, and Hazards
Vog (Volcanic Smog)
Vog is a unique environmental factor here. It's a hazy air pollution created when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and other gases from Kīlauea volcano react with oxygen, moisture, and sunlight. It can cause headaches, eye and throat irritation, and breathing difficulties, especially for people with asthma or other respiratory conditions.
🌋 How to Hike Safely with Vog
Your best resource is the Hawaiʻi Interagency Vog Information Dashboard (vog.ivhhn.org), which provides real-time data and wind forecasts. Before you hike, check the forecast. If vog levels are high, especially near the volcano, it's wise to choose a different hike, perhaps on the Kohala coast where the trade winds often keep the air clear. Always listen to your body. If you start feeling symptoms, don't push through—turn back.
Other Hazards: Be aware of the potential for flash floods in valleys and streams after heavy rain. The water can rise incredibly fast. On exposed lava fields, the sun and heat are your biggest enemies, so hydrate constantly. And always, always stay on the marked trail. The ground can be unstable, with hidden lava tubes and deep earth cracks just a few feet off the path.
The Mālama ʻĀina Pledge: Hiking with Respect
Mālama ʻĀina is a promise I make every time I step onto a trail. I invite you to join me in this pledge.
🗑️ Leave No Trace
This is the golden rule. Pack out everything you pack in—every food wrapper, every bottle cap, every tissue. I carry a small extra bag just to pick up any litter I might find left by others. The goal is to leave the ʻāina healthier than you found it.
🥾 Stay on the Path
Trails are designed to protect you from harm and to protect the fragile life around them. Cutting switchbacks causes severe erosion, and wandering off-trail can damage delicate native plants and sacred archaeological sites. Your footsteps have a lasting impact.
🏛️ Respect Sacred Sites
You will walk in places that are deeply sacred to Hawaiian culture, such as Puʻu Loa and the valleys of the north. These are not ruins; they are living cultural landscapes. Never touch, climb on, or take anything from a heiau (temple) or petroglyph site. Do not build your own rock stacks (ahu). In our culture, moving or stacking rocks can be profoundly disrespectful and can disturb sites of spiritual significance. Please, observe these places with quiet reverence from a distance.
🏝️ Leave Nature as You Find It
Resist the temptation to take lava rocks, sand, or coral as souvenirs. There's a legend about Pele's curse on those who take her rocks, but the real reason is simpler: it's about respect. These things are part of this land. They belong here. Take photos, take memories, and leave only your footprints.
"Aloha ʻāina"
Love of the land
This phrase captures the essence of responsible hiking in Hawaiʻi. When you hike with aloha ʻāina, you're not just visiting—you're participating in a relationship with the land that has sustained the Hawaiian people for over 1,000 years.
Island-Hopping for More Adventure
The Big Island holds a lifetime of trails, but I know many of you are exploring multiple islands on your trip. If your journey continues to Oʻahu, here are a couple of my personal recommendations to round out your Hawaiian adventure.
🎢 For the Thrill Seekers
The trails of the Big Island offer a profound, quiet thrill that connects you to the earth. But I get it—sometimes you crave that heart-pounding, high-octane fun. If your Hawaiian journey takes you to Oʻahu after you've explored our trails, I always point my thrill-seeking friends to Coral Crater Adventure Park. Their zipline courses through the jungle and the side-by-side ATV tracks are an absolute blast. It's a fantastic way to switch gears and get a different kind of adrenaline rush in a safe, fun environment.
🏛️ For a Lesson in History
To truly understand Hawaiʻi, you have to appreciate its many layers of history. Here on the Big Island, we walk on land shaped by the goddess Pele and in the footsteps of ancient kings. On Oʻahu, you can stand at a site that changed the course of world history. A visit to Pearl Harbor is more than a tour; it's an essential, moving experience that every visitor to Hawaiʻi should undertake. It provides a powerful perspective on Hawaiʻi's place in the Pacific and the world, honoring the bravery and sacrifice that took place there on December 7, 1941. For anyone who wants to fully appreciate these islands, I consider it a must-do.
Your Journey Begins
The Big Island has hundreds of trails, and I've shared a few of my favorites to get you started. But the real magic happens when you step onto the path yourself, feel the crunch of lava rock under your boots, and breathe in the fragrant air of the rainforest. Whether you're feeling the primal heat of the volcano or the cool salt spray of the sea, remember that you're a guest in a very special and sacred place.
Walk with curiosity, hike with preparation, and explore with aloha. The ʻāina has stories to tell if you're willing to listen.
Now, go find your trail.
🚨 Emergency Contacts
- Emergency: 911
- Park Service: (808) 985-6000
- Volcano Info: (808) 985-6000
- Weather: (808) 935-8555
🌤️ Weather Resources
- National Weather Service
- Vog Information Dashboard
- Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
- Trade Wind Forecasts
🌺 Cultural Respect
- Never touch petroglyphs or sacred sites
- Don't build rock stacks (ahu)
- Stay on designated trails
- Leave rocks, sand, and coral
- Pack out all trash
✅ Pre-Hike Checklist
- Check weather & vog levels
- 3+ liters water per person
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Sun protection gear
- First aid & blister kit
- Rain jacket/layers
- Tell someone your plans
🗺️ Hiking Guide Sections
Volcanic Adventures
Kilauea & lava tubes
Northern ValleysPololu & Waipio
Coastal AdventuresGreen Sand & Kiholo Bay
Safety & Ethics
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