Trail Review: Hosmer Grove, Maui

Trailhead: Hosmer Grover Campground, Kula, HI 96790

Parking: There is a parking lot at the trailhead. It's not large but it also didn't ever fill up. Haleakala National Park does require a park pass. The park pass is $30 and more information can be found HERE.

Distance: 0.6 mile loop

Difficulty: Easy

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The main star of Haleakala National Park is the massive, dormant volcano and rightfully so. But if you are looking to explore other parts of the park or are looking for something family-friendly, Hosmer Grove is a great place to check out. It's also super easy to get to as it is right off of the Summit District entrance station. (The drive up to Haleakala isn't the easiest, with lots of uphill switchbacks, but it also offers some amazing views of Maui).

Hosmer Grove is also a campground and a picnic area with public restrooms. The nature trail starts at the north end of the parking lot and there is plenty of signage, including a map and some helpful information that contextualizes what you will see in the grove. Basically, in the early 1900s, Ralph Hosmer tried planting a number of non-native tree and plant species from around the world to slow hillside erosion and as an attempt to create a timber industry. While it didn't produce the intended results, the area is now a unique combination of native and alien plant species and home to tons of native Hawaiian birds.

As you start the trail clockwise, you'll enter the non-native section first. The area is full of all kinds of tall trees from all over the world which provide a lot of shade and protection from the elements. (We had a passing shower while we were there but we barely felt it because of the tree cover). The park has kindly including trail plaques with information on each species of tree you will find and it's amazing just how many types of trees you'll see that aren't native to the islands! You can also catch glimpses of the many native birds that have taken up refuge in the tree cover.

‘I‘iwi Bird

Eventually, you'll emerge into the native shrubland section, which is home to the plants and shrub life that are endemic to the Hawai'ian islands. Here you'll have an option to take a shortcut back to the parking lot (the path to the right), but I'd recommend continuing on and completing the shrubland loop. You'll learn more about the native species and see more birds up close since they don't have tall trees to hide in!

After walking through the shrublands, you'll enter back into the "alien forest" one more time, giving you a few more non-native tree species to admire/learn about. And then, finally, you'll be back at the parking lot, having completed the Hosmer Grove loop!

If you're lucky like us, you may even see some Nene birds, the official state bird of Hawai'i and only found on the Hawai'ian islands.

Bottom Line: An easy, educational, and family-friendly hike in Haleakala National Park.