Ke Ala Hele Makalae, Hawaiian for “The Path that Goes by the Coast,” is an easy paved walk and bike path that gives everyone access to view the beautiful coastline of Kauai’s east shore.
View a sunrise in only a few minutes after parking or walk the entire 8 miles roundtrip starting behind the Kapaa library, going through Kealia Beach and culminating at picturesque and relatively private Donkey Beach, where you might find yourselves the only people on the sand.
Whale watching is ideal from this path from December through March.
The trail is stroller and wheelchair accessible from certain parking lots along Kuhio Highway just south of Kealia Beach.
If you want more exercise, rent bicycles from merchants in Kapaa town whose stores back up to the path.
Ke Ala Hele Makalae: Walk & Bike Path
Location: East shore, somewhat parallel to Kuhio Highway
Parking: near Kapaa Library or at one of several rest stops in Kapaa along Kuhio Highway
Time: 10 minutes to 2 hours depending if you walk to the end
Elevation: Flat
Difficulty level: Easy paved walkway