ʻAiea Loop Trail Bird Tour (Oʻahu)

The ʻAiea Loop Trail is enchanting and popular, offering views of the Waiʻanae Range, Hālawa Valley, and the southern coast of Oʻahu. The trail is a five-mile loop with 900 feet elevation gain. Most birders will have no problem with the trail’s terrain and gentle pace.

This trail offers the potential to see species like ‘amakihi, ʻelepaio, and of course, the usual urban birds we know and love. It is often challenging to find birds in a forest with a high canopy and viewing them depends on timing and luck.

As ʻAiea Loop is high up the mountain it rains frequently with the potential for muddy trails. If it is a rainy day the walk may be redirected to a different location or rescheduled.

Date: Monday, October 28, 2024
Time: 7:00 AM

Directions: ʻAiea Loop Trail at the Keaīwa Heiau State Recreation Area. Follow H-1 to Moanalua Highway (Route 78). Take the ‘Aiea cutoff to the third traffic light, make a right turn at ‘Aiea Heights Drive, following the road about 3 miles up to the end of the road. Continue on the one-way park road to the trailhead. 

Parking: Free at the Aiea Loop trail head. Park your car in a marked stall. (See red marked area on map image below.)

Meeting point: please contact Colleen when you arrive onsite. The trailhead is off the park road at the upper eastern end of the park marked by parking lots, picnic pavilions and restrooms.

Please wear closed-toed shoes, bring a raincoat, snack, and two quarts of water. 

To register for this bird walk send your name and phone number to: csoares48@gmail.com. 

Notes from your guide, Colleen: I like to get to the trailhead by 7:00 am when the park opens. As this is a popular trail with lots of foot traffic on weekends, thus, I also prefer to hike Aiea Loop on weekdays. Birds wake at sunrise (~6:15 am) so we are more likely to see them and avoid crowds by an early start.  To receive the full experience of bird songs and nature, this tour is limited to 5-6 people. Contact me as soon as possible to reserve your spot. I look forward to a dry bird tour with you on this beautiful trail.

On your drive to Aiea Loop Trail you will pass through the Keaīwa Heiau State Recreation Area, home to a sacred temple that was a traditional medicinal or healing heiau, known as a heiau ho‘ola. The heiau is worth a stop to read about the area and get a feel for how special this place is. At this site, the kahuna (priest, expert) specializing in healing diagnosed and treated various illnesses and injuries. The kahuna also trained haumana (students) in the practice of la‘au lapa‘au, medicinal healing using plants, fasting, and prayers. Many of the plants and herbs were collected from the forest while others were planted around the heiau. Here is a brochure you may print that describes the area: Keaīwa Heiau Brochure.