Best Hikes on Oahu: The Kawanui Marsh Trail

Basic Information

• Name: Kawainui Marsh Trail
• Where: Kailua, Hawaii
• Distance: 3 miles
• Time: 1 hour
• Difficulty: Easy
• More Information: The Hikers Guide to O’ahu

Google Earth Map of the Kawainui Marsh Trail

Directions

The trailhead for this hike is located at the Kawainui Neighborhood Park.  The easiest way to access the park from Honolulu is by taking the H-3 freeway all the way to Kailua and exiting at Mokapu Boulevard.  Drive a short distance down this road and then make the second right on to Oneawa Street.  Once on Onewa St. make the second right on to Kaha Street.  This road leads right to the Kawainui Neighborhood Park where the trailhead is located.

Parking

There is a large parking lot at the trailhead which I had no issues finding parking at when I walked this trail at 10:00 on a Saturday morning.  If for some reason the lot is full there is street parking available in the adjacent Kailua neighborhood as well.

Hawaiian Meaning

According to the book, “Place Names of Hawaii” the Hawaiian word “Kawai” refers to water while “nui” refers to abundant.  Put together these words accurately describe the Kawainui Marsh as the place of abundant water.

Narrative

A great walk on Oahu for all ages is the Kawainui Marsh Trail located in the scenic Windward Oahu city of Kailua.  The trail crosses a long dam that protects Kailua from flooding from the adjacent Kawainui Marsh.  The walk begins at the Kawainui Neighborhood Park that is open from 7AM to 7PM daily:

From the parking lot a sidewalk takes hikers towards the dam by first passing through a small garden area that has a few information markers along the way to read:

Near the start of the dam a large marker has been built to recognize the construction of the flood control project.  The Kawainui Flood Control Project was funded by an act of Congress in 1948, but wasn’t built by the US Army Corps of Engineers until 1966 at a cost of nearly $6 million:

Once on the earthen dam a small dirt road with an adjacent sidewalk leads across the Kawainui Swamp:

Along the way the Kawainui Marsh Trail offers some great views of the nearby cliffs of the Ko’olau Range known as “palis” in Hawaiian:

Besides the Ko’olau Range I could also see the sharp peak of the hill called Olomana that rises over Kailua:

Here is a panorama of the view from the start of the Kawainui Marsh Trail:

On the other side of the dam is a drainage canal that runs adjacent to a nice neighborhood in Kailua:

The day I did this hike the weather had been pretty wet and the swamp was filled with plenty of water:

As I continued across the dam I noticed this small hill across the swamp from me:

What is significant about this hill is that there is rock cropping below it that has interesting backstory in Hawaiian mythology.  According to the book Ancient Sites of Oahu, the sister of Pele the fire goddess, Hi’iaka was traveling through the area with her companion, Wahineoma’o.  Wahinemoma’o commented about two beautiful women she saw sitting on a rock near a pond sunning themselves.  Hi’iaka replied that those were not women, but instead magical lizards called mo’o.  Hi’iaka then did a chant that made the mo’o disappear.  Hi’iaka then explained that the mo’o were the supernatural beings Hauwahine and her companion that safeguarded the marsh.  When the Hauwahine and her companion are present the hala leaves and uki grass in the marsh turn yellow.  The rock outcropping can be accessed on the other side of the swamp by the short Na Pohaku o Hauwahine Trail.

Best Hikes On Oahu: Na Pohaku o Hauwahine Trail

Here is a zoomed in look at the rock cropping that is visible at the lower center of the photograph:

Here is a panorama of the view with the hill with the rock outcropping in the center:

As I neared the end of the dam I passed this US Geological Survey station.  When most people think of USGS they think of earthquakes, but in Hawaii these USGS markers are set up more to monitor water levels to warn people of flooding:

As I neared the end of the dam I could see the Pali Highway running towards Kailua in the distance:

Looking up towards the Ko’olau Range I could see the gap in the mountains that the Pali Highway crosses to connect Honolulu to Kailua:

The end of the trail is where the dam ends adjacent to the Pali Highway:

From the end of the trail, I had a nice view looking out over this spectacular wetland which is the largest in Hawaii:

From the end of the trail I the proceeded to retrace the 1.5 miles back across the dam:

On the way back I took the time to try and photograph some birds.  However, they would not stay still and the only thing that wanted to be photographed was this Pacific Golden Plover:

I did spot pair of ugly looking geese though that did not mind being photographed:

Of course it would not be Hawaii if I didn’t spot a chicken as well:

On the way back I also noticed the exit with the H-3 Freeway that I took to access Kailua:

I also noticed Kalaheo High School that I drove passed to reach the neighborhood park before finishing up my hike at the trailhead:

Conclusion

The Kawainui Marsh Trail is a great family friendly walk in the Kailua area of Oahu. This three mile walk I recommend to people of all ages and ability level try out.  The trail is improved with even a sidewalk to use and is level for nearly the entire course.  From the top of the dam walkers are rewarded with beautiful views of the Ko’olau Range and the Kawainui Marsh which is largest wetland in Hawaii.

Disclaimer:  On-Walkabout is a website about outdoor activities that is not affiliated with any state or national government.  The articles on this website are for informational purposes only and to inspire others to get outside.  The activity descriptions are given to showcase the beauty and fun of experiencing the outdoors.  The writer of On-Walkabout is not responsible for any accidents, injuries, rescues, legal issues, or loss of life by anyone attempting the activities listed on this website.  Outdoor activities can be dangerous which is why it is the responsibility of the reader to use common sense and understand their own abilities before attempting an outdoor activity inspired by this website.  Most importantly parents need to understand the ability of their children before attempting an outdoor activity.  Just because my young children completed a hike mentioned on this site does not mean your children can as well.  Be safe and I hope this website inspires others to go and enjoy the outdoors as much as I do.  

YOU CAN FIND MORE GREAT HIKES AT THE OAHU REGIONAL TRAIL FINDER:

Note: Further information about hiking on Oahu can be found in the below book: