Waikolu Overlook

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Views

Park outside the cemetery in one of the marked spots. Do not park on the other side of the cemetery gate as the cemetery caretaker parks his truck there.

Be aware that since this is a 4WD road, so expect to see 4WD vehicles during your ride.

There are bathrooms and a picnic shelter at the overlook.

Take Highway 460 approximately 3.5 miles west of Kaunakakai to the trailhead at Homelani Cemetery. On Highway 460, take the first right after passing the Molokai Seventh-day Adventist Church, just before a bridge, where a sign for Homelani Cemetery is posted. Also known as the Maunahui-Makakupa'ia Trail, the 4WD trail begins just past the cemetery entrance.

The first five miles are on a 4WD road with limited trees. It is beneficial to start early to ride before the sun rises in the sky. For a lot of the climb, the road is recessed below ground level with 4-5 foot berms with trees. If riding early enough, one can do the whole ride in the shade. The road is dry and can build up lots of silt, which rides like sand so be aware, especially on the descent.

Five miles in, you enter the forest preserve and this is where the ride turns beautiful. You ride past lush vegetation and native Ohia trees. At around the 9 mile mark, you come across the Sandalwood Pit, a historic site where in the early 19th century King Kamehameha had his men dig a pit the exact dimensions of a sandalwood cargo ship hold. This pit was used for shipment planning before loading the actual ships.

At the 10 mile mark, you reach the overlook where you'll look down at the spot where the opening scene to Jurassic Park Lost World's paragliding action was filmed: the beautiful Waikolu Valley. When clear enough, you can see all the way down to the water from the overlook area. If it's cloudy or overcast when you get there, be patient. Within 15 minutes, it can all change and you'll have your views.

The descent is back the way you climbed. On the way up, you'll pass lots of intersections (other unmarked 4WD roads). On the descent, staying on the main route is easy enough if you pay attention as the other roads are less mature roads. Watch out for the silt on the way down.