Pu'u Ma'eli'eli Trail - Kaneohe, Hawaii

DANIEL I. VILLALOBOS

Hermoso lugar

NORMAN UMAÑA

Demasiado bonito

Pepe Puig

Trail is quite fun and easy, up to all levels - although quite disappointing considering previous comments, it's too easy and short.
There are some challenging steep ramps but nothing too crazy.
A well shaped person can run this trail and have some fun.
Trail took me 50m go and back from the parking lot + another 15m i spent at the end point - views are worth it

Camilo Daluiso

This was for sure our favorite trail of all, the views at the top are unbelievable, we went in the afternoon so we were pretty much alone just saw one person with her dog. You can’t miss this trail. The entrance is as described in other reviews, park in the McDonald’s and walk up the road 1-2 min and you’ll get to the entrance. I can see how it can be very difficult after rainy days, it is somewhat steep and slippery in the beginning but very manageable with good shoe, I went when dry and didn’t have any issues at all, the trail itself is very chill, takes about 35-45 min to the top. There are some bunkers at the top as well perfect for pictures and proposals.

lizbeth flores

Amazing trail!!! BUT you have to very careful when it has just recently rained or is raining because the start of the trail has lots of that red type mud clay. In fact there’s a rope to help you move around there because man is it steep! But also towards the very top you’ll have another rope to help you up because that one is even more steeper. I personally would not bring pets on this hike because how step and muddy but I did see some people with there dogs (not sure if that was challenging or not). Hike was about 2.5 miles back and forth. Bring water!!! It is so humid and hot my whole backpack was wet from my sweat. Also very important to follow the link ribbons through the trail because there is some areas you question if your going the right way but the pink ribbons mean your on the right trail. I did see one trial with orange but didn’t look safe to go so I immediately turned back and went the other way. Beautiful views from the very top but even on your way there you’ll see some cool views so make sure to look around as you go through the trail. Don’t get scared about the no trespassing sign that is for the private properties on the side once you enter. Park on the side of the road where the McDonalds and apartment complex are and walk to the left of the highway rail, you’ll see an opening and trespassing signs but just go up and that’s the trail. I would rate this hike intermediate, definitely not easy but also not the hardest. Just take breaks and drink water you got this!

Jerome Aroni

Another great hike to the top of the mountain that leads you to a bunker and a view to capture sunrise ?. Hike is rated moderate due to the mountain incline and can be muddy depending what day you hike go be slippery sliding on the first hill when entering the trailhead. The end of the hike you’ll get rewarded a view of the Pacific Ocean and the whole scenery of the whole section of Kaneohe side (also the Kaneohe marine corp base).There’s a trail that continues in front of the main bunker but probably takes you down somewhere to Kamehameha hwy but will not take you back to where you started. Overall a good moderate not too long of a trail. Bug repellent, food/water are recommend for this trail ?

Jinseung Kim (Soulless traveler)

The trailhead is located next to the road. You can park your car at the shopping center with a McDonald's, and then walk along the roadside for about 5 minutes. The entrance will be on your left. There is no specific sign indicating the entrance, but you will see a sign that says "private property" nearby. The beginning of the trail is a bit steep, but it becomes manageable as you go up. The end of the trail is also a bit steep, but there are ropes to assist you, making it suitable for children as well. After about 40 minutes of hiking, you will see a sign that says "Pu'u Ma'eli'eli," indicating you are almost there. From there, it's just another 1-2 minutes to reach the pillbox. The view from the pillbox is stunning, especially the view of the sandbar, which is a highlight.

Daniel Haywood

Nice trail, constant uphill but not too difficult. Took around 40 minutes up, and 45 down (slowly due to slippery parts). Bus 65 from Honolulu centre gets you there. Get off just after the turn at McDonalds and walk 5 mins to the trailhead on the main road/motorway on the left.
View of the sandbars was nice but would be better on a sunny day.

A few steep parts. First 10 minutes is steep and muddy/slippy - there is a rope to grab onto but you still need good shoes. And the last 5 minutes is steep but not so muddy and there is also a rope. The end of the trail is marked on google maps with a tree sign, if you zoom in onto the mountain just north of McDonald’s, there is a geotag in Japanese. This is the summit. (See my screenshot photo attached)

There are lots of signs saying private property but we saw about 10 people also doing the trail… I think it means you can’t venture from the path onto the private land, but the path itself is fine (there is even an information point at the summit).