Top 4 Natural Monuments around Hawaiian Ocean View

Here at this fork, to the east, about half a mile into the park from Highway 11, there is a gravel parking area with an open-air ranger station to the west side. Here, visitors can get all their questions answered. On the west side, there are two main attractions on a dirt road in the next half mile: 1-Pu'u o Lokuana is a red-walled cinder cone volcano. This cone used to be 100 feet higher but was mined as a cinder quarry before it became a protected area. The cinder stones were to decorate paths and roads all over Hawaiʻi. During the second world war, Puʻu o Lokuana was also the location of the secret Kahuku radio station, and visitors can still see the remains of it. 2-The Kamakapaʻa Trail crests a small grassy cinder cone just a short walk from Kahuku Roa. The surrounding area is the Kaʻu region, which historically had sugar cane, bananas, and purple sweet potato farms. This spot was a good spot to hunt pigs and goats. About half a mile into the park from Highway 11, there is a gravel parking area with an open-air ranger station to the east side. Here,  visitors can get all their questions answered.

Reaching Kamakapa‘a peak is a relatively easy run thanks to the flat terrain. At the summit, take in sweeping views encompassing the expansive breadth of lower Kaʻū, an exceptional panorama as your reward for the moderate ascent.

The Kona Trail takes hikers through pastures that used to be part of the Kahuku ranch. Before cowboy culture was popularized in the western U.S., Hawaiian cowboys called Paniolo wrangled cattle across Hawai'i. Cattle were introduced to Hawai'i in 1793 and rapidly grew out of hand, eating the thatch roofs off of villages and destroying fields of crops. From the mid-1800s through 2003 when the Kahuku Unit was annexed to the park, Kahuku ranch trained capable paniolo who battled the volcano and demands of the landscape to make a living.

The Pu’u o Lokuana Trail is one of the most diverse trails in the park. Hikers traverse barren lava flows from the 1800s, magma formations, a landing stip, and lush green pastures within a two mile walk.

The Kamakapa'a Trail crests a small grassy cinder cone in the lush Kahuku Unit. If you are looking to extend the distance of the Pu'u o Lokuana Trail, this is a great option.

Pu'u o Lokuana is a striking red and orange walled cinder cone accessible via a short, steep hike from the parking lot. The cinder cone used to be 100 feet higher, but was mined as a cinder quarry before it was added to the park. The colorful cinder was used to decorate paths and roads on Hawai'i. During WWII, Pu'u o Lokuana was also the location of the secret Kahuku radio station, parts of which can still be seen to the left of the trail in places.