hike pono
Hike Pono
- Only use official trails or in the Outerspatial app. Unofficial trails are illegal and may harm native species habitat.
- Clean gear before and after hiking, and use boot brush stations. This helps avoid the spread of invasive seeds or diseases like Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death.
- Stay on the trail. Shortcuts harm plants & cause erosion.
- Keep pets on leashes at all times. This protects your pet, wildlife, and other hikers.
Keep your music in headphones rather than playing music out loud on speakers for everyone to hear. Playing loud music on trails is prohibited in Hawaiʻi. Others on the trail may want to enjoy the sounds of nature, and for good reason: hearing birdsong is good for your mental health.
If you are birding, follow our guidelines for Ethical Birding in Hawaiʻi and check out our Hawaiʻi Birding Trails portal to learn which birds you might see on which trails.
Most trails do not have dedicated parking areas, so remember to be kind to neighbors who live near trailheads. Don’t block their driveways or mailboxes when you park, and don’t use their hoses to wash your muddy boots.
Our forests are cultural spaces, so be respectful. Native Hawaiians consider mauka areas the wao akua (realm of the gods) and some trails may traverse wahi pana (places of special significance). Some trails are ancient and historic trails used by Native Hawaiians and are protected for cultural value and use.
Make sure you hike safely: Know your route before you go and check the description to see if it matches your physical limits. Tell someone your hiking plans and when you expect to return so they can call for help if you don’t return. Take a fully-charged cellphone with you, but be aware you may not have service along the trail. Check the weather before you hike, and take sufficient food, water, sun protection, rain protection, and a first aid kit. Some of our trails go through Public Hunting Areas, so be aware that you may cross paths with hunters and dogs, and consider wearing blaze orange. You can read our Hiking Saftey brochure for more details.
To learn more about Hawaiʻi’s trails and safe hiking, visit Nā Ala Hele pages.
Play Pono
- Only have campfires at official campsites that allow campfires. Keep camp and cooking fires in enclosed containers.
- Have a water source ready to extinguish the fire, and never leave before the coals are cool to the touch. Let Smokey Bear show you how to soak, stir, soak, stir, and feel the coals.
- Don’t set off fireworks or sparklers, especially near forests or grassy areas. On holidays, go watch a professional fireworks show instead.
- Keiki can help! Watch Smokey Bear, who says not to play with matches, sparklers, or fireworks. If you see a fire, don’t stall! Call 911.
Mālama Pono
- Keep a safe distance from all wildlife. Many of Hawaiʻi’s animals are threatened or endangered, and disturbing them is against the law. Use binoculars, stay on the trail, and don’t get too close when taking photos.
- Keep wildlife wild: never feed wild animals. It’s illegal, and it can make them sick.
- Don’t feed feral cats or leave pet food outside. Food placed outside can inadvertently end up in the bellies of native wildlife.
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You can help by reporting violations to the DLNRTip app or the DLNR hotline, 643-DLNR. This reporting tool works for violations related to both terrestrial and marine species.
You can also help by reporting downed seabirds that need the care of wildlife experts. To learn more about Hawaiʻi’s amazing wildlife and how you can help, visit Wildlife pages.
Gather Pono
- Get permission before you gather. For privately-owned lands that means asking the landowner. For public Forest Reserves, that means getting a Forest Reserve System collection permit.
- We have a separate permit for gathering as a Native Hawaiian customary and traditional practice when in a Forest Reserve. You can learn about the context for this permit under the Forest Reserves section of our Forestry & Wildlife Permits page.
- Take only what you need, and only what the land can provide.
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Most personal collection permits are free, depending on the amount being collected. Commercial collection permits are also available. To learn more about Hawaiʻi’s forests and our Forest Reserve System, visit Forestry pages.
Source: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov