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. There are muddy and slippery spots, so be prepared. Most birders will have no problem with the trail’s terrain and gentle pace.

This trail offers the potential to see the full trio of O’ahu’s native forest birds including two endemics: Oʻahu ʻamakihi, apapane, and Oʻahu ʻelepaio, as well as two uncommon introduced birds: Red-crowned Amazon parrot and the enigmatic Mariana Swiftlet. Of course, some of the usual introduced forest dwellers like Red-billed Leiothrix and White-rumped Shama and some of the urban birds we know and love. Unlike our urban parks, this can be challenging and even frustrating. Patience and moderated voices are needed to find birds in dense 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 muddy and slippery trails. If it is a rainy day the walk may be redirected to a different location or rescheduled.

Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
Time: 7:00 AM

Parking: Free at the ʻAiea Loop trailhead. Park your car in a marked stall. (See red marked area on map image below.)
Meeting point: ʻAiea Loop trailhead. 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 with good traction, bring a raincoat, snack, and plenty of water. 

To register for this bird walk send your name, email address and phone number to: events@hiaudubon.org. 

Please arrive on time so we can get as early a start as possible. Birds are most active in the early morning so the sooner we can head out, the better. Note: The park only opens at 7:00am.

On your drive to ʻAiea 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.