Let East Maui Watershed Partnership and The Nature Conservancy take you into Maui’s natural environment and introduce you to Maui’s native Species including plants, birds, and insects. Find inspiration on one of these hikes to create your next masterpiece and enter it into Maui’s only annual native species juried exhibition Mālama Wao Akua 2026! Time is given on the trail to take photos and ask questions.
Boardwalk Trail: July 8th
Journey into Maui’s Native forest and end up immersed in a place that is the same as it was before the arrival of humans to this island. Hike is 3 miles round trip, moderate-strenuous with about 700ft elevation change on uneven terrain.
Starting from Hosmer’s Grove, going down is relatively easy, using caution on slippery tree roots as you hike through an experimental conifer plantation installed in 1946. The trail goes along a jeep road for over a ½ mile then becomes single-file all the way down to the bottom of the boardwalk, with a platform for folks to sit. The multi-stepped boardwalk has no railings. Hike leads to area of intact native forest with native bird viewing. Hike leaders will stop on the way at openings for all to catch up and look at available views. When heading back up from this trail, it’s good to stop every 5 minutes to take a drink, catch one’s breath, and allow the hikers to re-group during the steep 700ft. ascent.
Birdloop Trail: August 3rd
The hike begins along a 4WD road with plenty of slippery roots and rocks, and after ¼ mile ends up at the top of the West end of the Birdloop. From there, the trail turns to single file and the group is advised to stick to the trail to avoid stepping on endangered native flora planted off the trail. Dominant canopy is a large conifer plantation, with pockets of koa and ohia along Waikamoi gulch.
The trail becomes steeper and more uneven as it descends into Waikamoi gulch, where there is a rocky streambed with potential for slipping. Trail then ascends up a short switchback to openings to view into the gulch below. The switchbacks on either side of the streambed are best for native bird viewing. After another 250 yards, the trail meets the jeep road and one is again engulfed in the conifer plantation.
There is a clearing where the smaller gully is dominant with a variety of native vegetation, and when the ohia trees are blooming, there is a constant stream of birds.
Both hikes are:
- 9am-3pm
- Free
- Bring: Water, sunglasses/hat, sunscreen, rain gear, snacks and lunch, backpack to carry it all in and sturdy closed toes shoes.
