An easy morning walk along historic Hapa Trail by the Koloa Community Association. Meet your tour guides at St. Raphael’s Church – this is the island’s oldest Catholic church, so your historical tour is off to a good start.

Hapa Road Trail was once a major route connecting Koloa and the Poipu area. Today, Hapa Trail has been designated by the County of Kauai as a pedestrian and bike way.

On the walk, the guides will share many interesting stories about life in the plantation days and the Koloa Field System. They will share knowledge of archeological surveys, history and point out archeological sites and archeological preserves in the area including the extensive and ingenious ‘auwai system the Hawaiians built to irrigate the area known as the Koloa Field System. The Koloa Field System occupied most of the southern portions of na ahupua‘a of Koloa and Weliweli.

We will be having special field system expert Hal Hammatt from Cultural Surveys Hawai`i lead the hike and be available to answer questions.

The Hapa Trail Restoration Committee and other members of the Koloa Community Association have worked hard to prepare Hapa Road Trail for this year’s walk, spending mornings clearing the undergrowth so that walkers can view and experience the road in a state as close to the original road as possible.

Following the roundtrip walk refreshments will be served at St. Raphael’s Church. Participants will enjoy more chances to “talk story”. The walk and tour is offered free of charge. Hapa Trail t-shirts also available for purchase.