Kōkeʻe State Park
{{short description|Park located in northwestern Kauaʻi in the Hawaiian Islands, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Kōkeʻe State Park
| iucn_category =
| photo = Kalalau_Valley_viewed_from_the_Na_Pali_Kona_Forest_Reserve_Pihea_Trail.jpg
| photo_caption = Kalalau Valley viewed from the Pihea Trail
| location = Kaua{{okina}}i, United States
| nearest_city =
| map = United States Kauai#USA Hawaii
| coords ={{coord |22|7|49|N| 159|39|32|W| type:landmark_region:US-HI}}
| established =
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body = Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources
}}
File:Kokee.jpg from Koke'e State Park]]
Kōke{{okina}}e State Park is located in northwestern Kaua{{okina}}i in the Hawaiian Islands. It includes the Kōkeʻe Museum at the {{convert|15|mi|km|adj=on|abbr=on}} marker on State Road 550, which focuses on the weather, vegetation, and bird life; a lodge which serves food and sells gifts; cabins for rent; and hiking trails. The park is just north of Waimea Canyon State Park at {{coord |22|7|49|N| 159|39|32|W| type:landmark_region:US-HI|display=inline,title}} and includes {{convert|4345|acre|km2|abbr=on}} of mountainous terrain.
The main attractions of Kōke{{okina}}e State Park trails are the native vegetation, native forest birds, and the scenic cliffside views. Situated on a plateau between {{convert|3200|and|4200|ft|m|abbr=on}}, much of Kōke{{okina}}e is a montane (infrequent frost) mesic forest ({{convert|50|to|100|in|mm|disp=or|abbr=on}} annual rainfall with moist soil conditions) dominated by koa (Acacia koa) and {{okina}}ōhi{{okina}}a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) trees. The park receives around {{convert|70|in|mm}} of rain per year, mostly from October to May.
At the end of the state road is a lookout onto the Kalalau Valley, once home to thousands of native Hawaiians. The valley was the backdrop for Jack London's short story Ko{{okina}}olau the Leper.
In October it is the home of a festival honoring Queen Emma of Hawaii.{{cite web |title= Eo e Emalani i Alaka'i — The Emalani Festival |publisher= Hui o Laka, Kōkeʻe Museum |url= http://www.kokee.org/festivals/the-emalani-festival |access-date= 2010-02-01 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100704043912/http://kokee.org/festivals/the-emalani-festival |archive-date= 2010-07-04 |url-status= dead }}
Hiking trails
- Alaka{{okina}}i Swamp Trail, length: {{convert|3.5|mi|km|abbr=on}}. Trail through native wet forest to the rim of Wainiha Pali with sweeping view of the north shore. This birdwatching trail is often wet, slippery and muddy. The majority of this trail is a plank boardwalk covered with chicken wire to provide traction.
- Awa{{okina}}awapuhi Trail, length: {{convert|3.25|mi|km|abbr=on}}. A trail with mesic and dryland native plants, it has views into the steep-sided Nu{{okina}}alolo and Awa{{okina}}awapuhi Valleys. Return climb of {{convert|1620|ft|m|abbr=on}}.
- Berry Flat Trail, length: {{convert|0.6|mi|km|abbr=on}}. This trail traverses a mix of planted alien and native forest types, including Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) groves and disturbed koa/{{okina}}ōhi{{okina}}a forest.
- Black Pipe Trail, length: {{convert|0.5|mi|km|abbr=on}}. This trail is an alternate access to the Canyon Trail. Native hibiscus and iliau (Wilkesia gymnoxiphium) can be seen along the trail.
- Canyon Trail, length: {{convert|1.8|mi|km|abbr=on}}. A trail with views of Waimea and Po{{okina}}omau Canyons. The trail follows the rim of Waimea Canyon and crosses Kōke{{okina}}e Stream.
- Cliff Trail, length: {{convert|0.1|mi|km|abbr=on}}. A spur trail leading to a viewpoint of Waimea Canyon. Feral goats are often seen on the canyon walls.
- Ditch Trail, length: {{convert|1.7|mi|km|abbr=on}}. A trail developed to construct and maintain the Kōke{{okina}}e Ditch. Vistas of surrounding forest and Po{{okina}}omau Stream.
- Faye Trail, length: {{convert|0.1|mi|km|abbr=on}}. A short trail that accesses other trails in the Halemanu area.
- Halemanu-Kōke{{okina}}e Trail, length: {{convert|1.2|mi|km|abbr=on}}. This trail wanders through somewhat disturbed koa/{{okina}}ōhi{{okina}}a forest. Recovery from Hurricane Iwa and transition to koa forest from drier conditions is evident.
- Iliau Nature Loop, length: {{convert|0.25|mi|km|abbr=on}}. Easy roadside nature trail through dry shrubland with plants identified. Sweeping views of Waimea Canyon and Wai{{okina}}alae Canyon.
- Kaluapuhi Trail, length: {{convert|1.6|mi|km|abbr=on}}. Disturbed {{okina}}ōhi{{okina}}a montane mesic forest with some intact forest areas.
- Kukui Trail, Length: {{convert|2.5|mi|km|abbr=on}}. Scenic, but steep trail into Waimea Canyon. Elevation drop of {{convert|2000|ft|m|abbr=on}}.
- Kumuwela Trail, length: {{convert|1|mi|km|abbr=on}}. Mosaic of {{okina}}ōhi{{okina}}a and koa/{{okina}}ōhi{{okina}}a montane mesic forests with alien weed problems and hurricane damage.
- Nature Trail, length: {{convert|0.1|mi|km|abbr=on}}. A starter trail to learn about native forest vegetation.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}}
- Nu{{okina}}alolo Trail, length: {{convert|3.75|mi|km|abbr=on}}. Trail through koa/{{okina}}ōhi{{okina}}a montane mesic forests and an {{okina}}a{{okina}}ali{{okina}}i (Dodonaea viscosa) lowland dry shrubland with a view of Nu{{okina}}alolo Valley. Return climb of {{convert|1570|ft|m|abbr=on}}.
- Pihea Trail, length: {{convert|3.7|mi|km|abbr=on}}. A nature/birdwatching trail along the rim of Kalalau Valley, traversing {{okina}}ōhi{{okina}}a montane wet forest.
- Pu{{okina}}u ka {{okina}}Ohelo Trail, length: {{convert|0.5|mi|km}}. Along this trail are examples of the impact that invasive alien weeds can have on native forest vegetation.
- Waininiua Trail, length: {{convert|0.6|mi|km|abbr=on}}. A trail from which to see a relatively intact koa/{{okina}}ōhi{{okina}}a montane mesic forest.
- Water Tank Trail, length: {{convert|1|mi|km|abbr=on}}. This trail provides an example of a native koa/{{okina}}ōhi{{okina}}a forest.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [http://www.kokee.org/ Kōke{{okina}}e State Park]
- [http://www.mapbliss.com/KokeeStatePark/ Kōke{{okina}}e & Na Pali Coast Trail Guide] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307201203/http://www.mapbliss.com/KokeeStatePark/ |date=2014-03-07 }}
- [http://www.readbookonline.net/readOnLine/723/ Jack London's story Ko{{okina}}olau the Leper - full text]
{{Protected areas of Hawaii}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kōke'e State Park}}