Hike Hawaiʻi Safely: Tips Everyone Should Know

Hawaiʻi's trails, although magnificent, are some of the most dangerous in the world. Every year, search and rescue teams respond to hundreds of calls from hikers who were unprepared for what the trails demanded of them. Most of these rescues are preventable if you follow these basic safety precautions.

1. Stay on designated trails

This cannot be stressed enough. Going off trail is not only dangerous, it damages the forest. Hawaiʻi's native ecosystems are fragile and take decades to recover from foot traffic. Staying on marked trails protects both you and the land. In the Hawaiian tradition, this is also a matter of respect. Do not remove anything from the trail, for example rocks and plants. Leave everything exactly as you found it.

2. Beware of no rangers on duty

Many of Hawaiʻi's parks, including Waimea Canyon State Park on Kauaʻi, do not have a ranger on duty. At Waimea Canyon, rescue response time is a minimum of one to two hours depending on where you are in the park — and if your emergency happens close to dark, you may have to wait until morning for help to arrive. The two most common reasons hikers need to be rescued are dehydration and panic attacks near steep cliffs. Both are preventable with proper preparation and a calm, steady pace.

3. Pack smart

Every hiker, regardless of experience level, should carry the following:

• Water: At least 1 liter of water per person, per hour of hiking. Dehydration is the leading cause of hiking rescues in Hawaiʻi and it sneaks up on you faster than you expect in the heat and humidity. Bring more water than you think you need.

• Hat and sunscreen: Hawaiʻi's sun is intense, even on cloudy days, and sun exposure on an open ridgeline can be brutal.

• Light rain jacket: Weather in Hawaiʻi changes quickly, especially at elevation. A sudden downpour can make trails slippery and dangerous within minutes.

• Snacks: Energy drops fast on the trail. Pack something that travels well and does not require utensils.

• Hiking stick: Hiking sticks are highly recommended for older hikers or anyone with knee or balance concerns. Many of Hawaiʻi's trails involve steep, uneven terrain and stream crossings where a hiking stick can make the difference between a confident step and a dangerous fall.

4. Plan your hike around daylight

Plan to finish your hike at least one hour before dusk. Once the sun goes down, trails become difficult to navigate and the risk of injury increases significantly. After dark, you may also encounter wild boar, which can be aggressive. Most trailhead signs post the park's closing time, take those seriously.

5. Check cell service

Most of Hawaiʻi's hiking trails have little to no cell service. Do not count on being able to call for help if something goes wrong. Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to be back. Consider downloading an offline map of your trail before heading out.

6. Check the weather

If conditions feel wrong it is always okay to turn back. Check the weather ahead of time for storms, and trust your intuition if it starts to rain while you are already on the trail. If it feels like the trail is getting more precarious due to the rain, it probably is. Getting home safely is the only goal that matters.