“This was the highlight of our trip — learning about Maui’s forests with guides who really care. Gorgeous views and a peaceful trail.”
Verified Review
This moderate, 3-hour eco-hike begins at a base yard in Kapalua before a short van ride transports you to the trailhead on the Maunalei Arboretum. Along the 2-mile route, you’ll traverse shaded forest, swing from banyan vines, and learn about native flora, watershed conservation, and ancient Hawaiian history. Hikers enjoy two memorable lookout stops with panoramic vistas of the Pu‘u Kukui watershed and ocean horizons, plus light snacks and water. With a max of 10 participants, the tour remains intimate, educational, and deeply connected to the land.
GUEST REQUIREMENTS
For all ages, group size limited to 12 guests.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Easy to moderate hike
WHAT TO BRING
Hiking shoes, sun protection, water bottle.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Changes or cancellations must be made 48 hours prior.
WHAT GUESTS ARE SAYING
5.0★ from 70+ reviews on TripAdvisor
Guests love how this hike goes deeper than a typical Maui trail. Many praise the friendly local guides who share personal stories and cultural knowledge that make the forest feel alive. Visitors say it’s a refreshing break from beach crowds — a quiet way to see Maui’s green heart, with bonus views of the Puʻu Kukui Watershed. People often leave feeling like they’ve done something good for the island while seeing it in a way few tourists do.
About:
Unparalleled access to an exclusive hiking trail is one of the many rewards offered on the Honolua Ridgeline Hike. In addition to gaining knowledge about Hawaii's rich flora and fauna, you will learn about its extraordinary history and captivating stories that make this place so unique. No one is doing what we're doing, so come with us and discover what you've been missing on your Maui vacation.
Located in West Maui, above the prestigious Kapalua resort area, this extraordinary journey takes you into the Maunalei Arboretum, ascending the Honolua Ridgeline, ending at an incredible lookout where you have a panoramic view of the Pu'u Kukui Watershed Preserve. Forget about waterfalls, this tour helps you understand why waterfalls exist in the first place. In addition, adventure seekers can swing from vines on one of Maui's largest Banyan trees, as well as walk through a historic coffee farm, and marvel at some of our island's ancient native trees. This hike will leave you connected, spiritually and physically, to Maui and to yourself.
The trail is 2 miles roundtrip with several stops along the way. It's perfect for the whole family and all ages are welcome. Our guides are local, born and raised on Maui, with incredible knowledge and insight of our cherished island we call home. Come with us into the mountains, you won't ever have a better chance.
What we provide:
We will provide round trip transportation from the meeting point at the base-yard. We will provide ponchos in case of rain. There will be a light snack along the way.Hele Wai Eco Tours is a locally owned company rooted in Maui’s conservation movement, sharing stories of the island’s native forests and watersheds. Their guides, all born and raised on Maui, lead guests through protected lands above Kapalua that few visitors ever get to see. On the Honolua Ridgeline Hike, you’ll walk through ancient groves, swing from giant banyan trees, and hear how these uplands feed Maui’s waterfalls — all while supporting conservation work that keeps the island’s ecosystems thriving.
2000 Village Road, Lahaina, HI 96761 — guests meet at the base yard near Kapalua Resort; round-trip transportation to the trailhead is provided.
Customers will receive a full refund or credit with 48 hours notice of cancellation. Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price.
FOLIO TRAVELOGUE
Conservation Walk on Honolua Ridgeline: Forest, Vines & Watershed Views
The guide briefs the group at 800 Office Road in Kapalua before we climb into a van and ascend toward the Honolua ridgeline. Within minutes, Maui’s resort bustle fades and native forest canopy takes over, whispering stories of ecology and aloha.
On foot, the trail reveals itself slowly—giant banyan roots arch overhead, a historic coffee farm nestled among ʻōhiʻa and koa, and ferns carpeting the forest floor. We pause to walk across sturdy vines hanging from a banyan tree, a playful reminder that nature remains ever-adaptable.
“Walking the Honolua ridge feels less like a hike—and more like stepping into Maui’s living watershed.”
The first lookout delivers a deep breath of astonishment: broad green slopes stretching down toward the ocean, Pu‘u Kukui’s ridgeline etched into the skyline. Our guide speaks of watersheds and rainfall patterns, of how this ridge feeds Maui’s streams and reefs below.
Descending, I feel a sense of stewardship—not just as a visitor, but as a witness to the delicate balance of island ecosystems. At the final viewpoint, the ocean and distant isles like Molokini and Kahoʻolawe shimmer under noonday sun. With snacks in hand, we watch waves linked to the water cycle that began upslope—circular, sacred, alive.
By return, there’s a shared hush around the base yard—a collective sense of being rooted somewhere deeper than altitude, more than a hike: a conservation experience etched into memory.
