Hiking in Hawaii is a breathtaking experience. The islands have hundreds of miles of trails, many of which reward you with a hidden beach, a private waterfall, an Eden-like valley, or simply an unforgettable view. However, rock climbers are out of luck: Most of Hawaii's volcanic cliffs are too steep and brittle to scale.
Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club, P.O. Box 2238, Honolulu, HI 96804, offers an information packet on hiking and camping in Hawaii; to receive a copy, send $2 and a legal-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope. Hawaii Geographic Maps and Books, 49 S. Hotel St., Honolulu, HI 96813 (tel. 800/538-3950 or 808/538-3952), offers the Hiking/Camping Information Packet for $7. Also note that the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources, 1151 Punchbowl St., No. 131, Honolulu, HI 96809 (tel. 808/587-0300; www.hawaii.gov), will send you free topographical trail maps.
The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii (tel. 808/537-4508 on Oahu, tel. 808/572-7849 on Maui, or tel. 808/553-5236 on Molokai; www.tnc.org/hawaii) and the Hawaii Chapter of the Sierra Club, P.O. Box 2577, Honolulu, HI 96803 (tel. 808/538-6616), both offer guided hikes in preserves and special areas during the year. Also see the individual island chapters for complete details on the best hikes for all ability levels.
A couple of terrific books on hiking are Stuart M. Ball, Jr.'s, The Hiking Guide to the Hawaiian Islands, published by the University of Hawaii Press, and his book on Oahu, The Hikers Guide to Oahu, also from University of Hawaii Press.
Travel Tip
When planning sunset activities, be aware that Hawaii, like other places close to the Equator, has a very short (5-10 min.) twilight period after the sun sets. After that, it's dark. If you hike out to watch the sunset, be sure you can make it back quickly, or take a flashlight.
