Even though this trail has a name hard to pronounce, this hike is THE best nature walk in the park. The word "kipuka" in Hawaiian means an older area of vegetation that is surrounded by a recent lava flow. Think of it like a forest island surrounded by lava.
What you will find here are many beautiful old growth trees with lush tropical vegetation. You will see a huge diversity of rare plants, trees and even animals such as peasants and a type of quail that forage the floors here.
The trail is an easy 1.2-mile loop trail that is located on Mauna Loa Road, just past the Lava Tree Molds Drive. There is parking near the trailhead and restrooms (vault toilets) at the nearby Kipukapuaulu Picnic Area.The hike should take about 30 minutes and has informative placards for various native plants and trees along the way.
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