Route:
Poamoho Hele Loa Road :Is the access road to and from the Poamoho Ridge trail. You will need a permit to access through the gates on this road.(See below). Gate combination are provided with permits. Once through the first gate follow the yellow post through two more gates. The Poamoho Hele Loa access road is about 6 mi. The road first goes through old pineapple fields and cow pasture. Then after about four miles the vegetation transitions into native Uluhe fern with Koa and Ohia trees emerging throughout the landscape. A map and directions will be provided with approved access permits.

Warning! The Poamoho Hele Loa Access Road is a dirt road with narrow and rough conditions. It can be very slippery and dangerous when wet. Therefore, access is by 4-wheel drive ONLY! The speed limit is 15 miles per hour. Speed bumps do exist. Erratic driving or excessive speed will result in instant termination of access permit. Take note of turn outs for two-way passing. No dirt bikes, motocross, ATVs, or horses are allowed on access road and trail. Road and trail are a safety zone - No discharging of weapons allowed on or from the road and trail. Gates and road are monitored by surveillance cameras.

Poamoho Ridge Trail : is a spectacular ridge hike which traverses along a ridge through mostly native forest up to the Ko`olau Summit. The trail is quite narrow in sections and is not suitable for novice hikers. The trail offers a wide variety of native plants - some of them quite rare. From the summit, Poamoho Trail rewards hikers with awesome views of Kahana and Punalu`u Valleys and the north-eastern shores of Oahu. Poamoho Trail is also a good trail for bird watching. This trail receives only periodic maintenance. This trail traverses a public hunting area - hikers should exercise caution. Wear bright colored clothing and be aware of hunters with hunting dogs.

Directions:
ACCESS BY PERMIT ONLY!

Please read the following before applying for a permit:

PERMIT REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS:

1. Access is for weekends and state/federal holidays only.

2. Twenty (20) permits will be issued for each weekend day or holiday.

3. Five (5) people will be allowed to access under one permit in one vehicle (4x4 only).

4. One four wheel drive vehicle will be allowed per permit

5. New permits will not be issued to the same person for thirty (30) days. This will not apply to hunters.

6. Permit applications must be received by the Makiki DOFAW branch Only!

7. Permit applications must be received by mail, fax or in person no later then ten (10) working days before requested.

8. Access will be from Sunrise to Sunset - No overnight camping will be allowed at this time.

9. No sharing gate combination with non-permittees or using combination on days not listed on permit.

10. No discharging any firearm or weapons within safety zones.

11. No tampering with, vandalizing or stealing any equipment, materials or fruit.

12. No dirt bikes, motocross, ATVs or horses are allowed on access road or trail.

13. Wrongful activity on the part of permittees may result in a termination of all public access.

CLICK HERE FOR PERMIT APPLICATION:

YES, I HAVE READ AND AGREE WITH THE ABOVE PERMIT REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS.

Army Training Area Lease and Memorandum of Understanding with Dole Foods:

Because of a current lease agreement with the U.S. Army for use of the Ewa Forest Reserve for military training, recreational access is only allowed during weekends and State and federal holidays. In order to restore public access to this critical watershed and recreational area, DOFAW established a Memorandum of Understanding with Dole Food Company (DFC). Due to years of incidents related to trespass, theft and vandalism, it was agreed that limitation to access must be established. Which is why the access limit of twenty 4-wheel drive vehicles and no more than a hundred people a day. DFC also requested that there be no after dark driving and therefore no overnight camping. The Ewa Forest Reserve, Public Hunting Area and the Poamoho Trail are now legally accessible via permit from the Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW). Prior to this permit system, public access without approval from Dole Foods Hawaii was trespassing. DOFAW realizes that these permit conditions and related restrictions may seem to be very restrictive, but it is to assure our partners, Dole Foods Hawaii that DOFAW can manage and control the public across their property.

Do not use any trail or access road that is not delineated by name and color and that may also be displayed on these maps. The marked features are managed for public recreational use. Other trails or roads that branch off from the public features may be on private property, and are not managed for any public recreational use. Access is subject to adjacent landowner approval, and if used without authorization, you will be trespassing and possibly putting yourself at risk.