E komo mai – welcome to Maui.
Scroll down to read about hiking opportunities, safety and conservation issues impacting our island, and how you can help.
My Sunscreen Does WHAT?!
Don’t use just any sunscreen…many chemical-based sunscreens are proven coral reef-killers. Follow this guide to safely protect yourself from the sun without contributing to the death of Maui’s reefs.
Learn more about our campaign against the use and sale of chemical-based sunscreens here.
Cultural Awareness and Respect
We encourage all visitors to be respectful of environmental features and cultural sites that are sacred to kānaka maoli (Native Hawaiians). Many areas are off limits for a reason, but a lot of visitors don’t respect this. People go off-trail and then post photos and videos, causing more people to want to emulate them. Many of these areas are sacred to kānaka maoli and should not be disturbed by visitors.
- Stick to official hiking trails – for your own safety, to show respect, and to help stop the spread of invasive species to less-well traveled areas.
- Don’t take rocks (pōhaku), lava rocks, sand, or coral home with you – to kānaka maoli, pōhaku are sacred. And if every visitor took a rock, sand, or coral home, there wouldn’t be much left here! Bring home just memories and photos instead.
- Don’t go in any area marked with a “kapū” sign – this means “forbidden/taboo/off limits.”
- When in doubt, ask – if you’d like to go to an area of the island but aren’t sure whether it’s unsafe or disrespectful, ask locals.
Tips for Hiking Safely in Hawai’i
Hiking in Hawai’i is very rewarding but comes with unique challenges that can be very dangerous, so it is very important to be well-informed before you hike any area. Click here to learn more.
Where to Hike on Maui and in Hawai’i
Join Sierra Club Maui on an outing!
Check out our calendar of Upcoming Events and our list of hikes.
Want to hike alone? Check out Na Ala Hele, the State of Hawai’i Trail and Access Program. You can read more about its history and visit their website for a list of public access trails on Maui. If you have questions about hiking on Maui, contact us.
Conservation & Health Issues
The Hawaiian islands suffers from many invasive plant and animal species as well as plant-killing diseases. Some are present on all the islands, while others are not. If you’re visiting multiple islands, you can help stop the spread by following safety protocols.
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Learn about how to prevent the spread of Rapid Ohia Death (ROD), especially if you visited Hawai’i Island (aka the Big Island)
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HUMAN HEALTH: Rat Lung Worm Disease/Infection – Learn how to protect yourself from this painful infection.
Emergency Preparedness
Maui County’s Maui Ready website offers information on how to prepare for an emergency on Maui, plus general safety and public health issues to be aware of.