Onomea Trail

Probably the shortest most scenic dog-friendly hike on the Big Island, Onomea Trail is part of the Na Ala Hele Hawaii Trail & Access System. This is an easy hike that is accessed from the 4-Mile Scenic route by Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden on the Hamakua coast. The 4-Mile Scenic route has two access points from the highway (between the 7 and 8 mile markers, and again on the north near the 11 mile marker), if you miss the first turn.  Limited roadside parking only (Make sure to park completely off the road). Definitely worth checking out! .6 miles round trip, paved asphalt until you get near the ocean (Kukilu Bay). Very hot, humid today, mostly shaded though. Dogs must remain on leash at all times. (NOTE: Donkey Trail is part of a Hawaiian Kingdom government cart road used for hauling goods from the landing at Onomea.  From what we can tell, the only way to access it is by walking down the asphalt trail and continuing across to the botanical garden to the east side of Kahali’i Stream.  A botanical garden employee sits at the boundary and may or may not allow you to pass if you have not paid admission to the garden.  I did not ask them.  If you ARE able to go through and the Kahali’i Stream can be crossed (if the water level is low), I believe this is how you access Donkey Trail.  The description on Na Ala Hele Hawaii Trail & Access System website says that it is a steep, uneven tread, and often slippery trail.  From my online research, I think most websites incorrectly identify Donkey Trail as another name for Onomea Trail.)