Ala Kahakai Interpretive Plan
In partnership with the National Park Service – Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, Nā Ala Hele is developing an interpretive plan for the Ala Kahakai Historic Trail corridor. This plan will integrate input from knowledge holders, such as descendant families, community partners, and local stakeholders, to guide the stories that should be told— and how they should be told— throughout the trail corridor. The purpose of the Interpretive Plan is to support connection, stewardship, preservation, education, and the perpetuation of the trail corridor, while also blending NPS Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail and DLNR Nā Ala Hele standards, missions, design motifs, and plans.
The interpretive planning team includes representatives from Nā Ala Hele, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, PBR HAWAII, Hoaʻāina Heritage Services, and 106 Group.
Throughout the planning process, the team has been engaging with descendants and stakeholders throughout the Ala Kahakai Corridor, from North Kohala to Kaʻū. Two site visits were conducted, and one virtual community stakeholder meeting was held. You can view more information about the site visits and meetings below.
Draft Ala Kahakai Interpretive Plan
The nearly year-long planning process has produced the Draft Ala Kahakai Interpretive Plan. (Comment period ended on September 26, 2025.)
September 2025 Draft Ala Kahakai Interpretive Plan
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Site Visit 1
During the first site visit, from January 21-25, 2025, the interpretive planning team experienced and documented Trail sites and segments from North Kohala to Ka‘ū. We met, talked story, and learned from Trail ‘ohana representing various moku and ahupua‘a. ‘Ohana representatives included those with ancestral and family connections to the Ala Kahakai corridor, community knowledge keepers, and Trail advocates, champions, and stewards.
Site Visit 1 ItineraryVirtual Community Stakeholder Meeting
Following the first site visit, the project team hosted an online stakeholder meeting for Trail stakeholders and stewards. By hosting this meeting virtually, the project team was able to engage with stakeholders whom they may not have been able to consult during the initial site visit.
Virtual Community Stakeholder Meeting NotesSite Visit 2
The interpretive planning team conducted a second site visit from May 27-29, 2025. The team facilitated two stakeholder meetings to gather formative input via workshop activities and group conversations. These stakeholder meetings invited stakeholders to share their vision for interpretation in the Ala Kahakai corridor. We also visited additional Trail segments and learned from knowledge keepers about sites and relationships along the corridor.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or comments, please contact:
Jackson Bauer (Nā Ala Hele Trail and Access)
Catie Cullison (PBR HAWAII)
Lokelani Brandt (Hoaʻāina Heritage Services)
