Hike· Maui· Hawaii
Puu Olai Cinder Cone Hike
20° 38.1′ N · 156° 27.0′ W · approximate
A short, steep scramble up the 360-foot red cinder cone that anchors Makena State Park, with views over Big Beach, Molokini, Kahoolawe, Kihei and the West Maui mountains; legend says it is the head of the woman whose body became Molokini.
Practical
Approx: summit area estimated from the park position (Wikipedia, 20°37'52"N 156°26'46"W) and the Coast Pilot description of Puu Olai as a brown hill of three bare knolls, the southernmost highest (Coast Pilot gives 367 ft, Wikipedia 360 ft). No official trail: use paths start from the north end of Big Beach or from the Oneuli (black sand) side, which reviewers consider safer. About 30 minutes up; loose cinder and kiawe thorns, so wear real shoes. Stay away from the slide area and cliff edges on the south side. Go at sunrise for cool air. Puu Olai is the most prominent landmark on this coast from the water.
Best for
A sunrise view over Molokini and Kahoolawe
Nearby
- Big Beach (Makena State Park)0.3 NM away
- Puu Olai Reef Dive (Makena)0.3 NM away
- Turtle Arches and Keawalai Reef Dive0.6 NM away
- Maluaka Beach (Turtle Town)0.8 NM away
- Keawalai Congregational Church (Makena)0.9 NM away
- Makena Anchorage (Nahuna Point)1 NM away
- Makena Offshore Moorings1.1 NM away
- Five Caves (Five Graves)1.2 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).