Hiking Lanai’s Fisherman’s Trail

Setting off on our Fisherman’s Trail hike

I set off from Hulopo’e Beach Park as part of a group to spend the morning hiking Lanai’s Fisherman’s Trail. The hike was lead by Lanai’s park rangers and cultural experts as part of a training opportunity for new employees. I was able to join in as part of my Lanai Visitor Bureau trip, although this is an easy trail most anyone can enjoy, particularly guest staying at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay.

Sweetheart Rock

The rocky trail follows the coastline from nearby Hulopo’e Bay in the opposite direction from the tide pools and the famous Sweetheart Rock. Being that it is at the water’s edge, there is very little up and down to the trail; there’s little effort, because of virtually no elevation change. It shouldn’t be taken lightly, though, since it is sun-exposed and rocky in parts.

Kapiha’a Village ruins in the bushes off the trail

Sections of Lanai’s Fisherman’s Trail have been traversed for nearly 1,000 years. Guidepost signs along the trail point out and explain the historical significance of certain spots. One of the areas we stopped, Kapiha’a Village, was once a fishing village in one of the island’s thirteen districts. A map in the Lanai Culture and Heritage Center in Lanai City shows the various districts, and how they crisscross the island in an effort to make sure each section’s population had enough resources to survive.

A map of Lanai’s historic districts

Other historical spots are also marked along the trail. And as is the case anywhere with such fragile history, they should be treated with respect and care by staying on the trail and off the ruins. It’s easy to get along, since Fisherman’s Trail is well cut and marked as it stretches along the coastline.

The most difficult parts of the trail are also the best parts; the small gulches dip steeply down to the shore and open up to small secluded beaches. If it weren’t for the incoming rain, which is rare for this side of the island, I could have spent hours lounging in these spots before continuing on the trail. As it was, the group was on a tight schedule because of the training and the weather.

Hiking down into one of the gulches

After the group was finished with their training, it was recommended we all return because of the rain. In my stubbornness, though, I continued on to see more of the stunning views Fisherman’s Trail offers. Unfortunately this translated to me getting soaked and my legs caked with mud, since the trail gets quite gritty when wet; because of this, the trail should be avoided for safety reasons during or immediately after rains.

Lanai’s rocky coastline from the Fisherman’s Trail

I safely returned back to the resort, though, happy and ready to dry off. It was a good hike with interesting history and beautiful views. Later, when I was asked about getting caught in the rain while on the Fisherman’s Trail, I simply chuckled and joked that I simply met the water before it made it to the ocean – where I’d be swimming later, anyway.