Kamakou Preserve

Kamakou Preserve is a lush 2,774-acre rainforest sanctuary located high in East Molokai's mountains. Home to over 250 native Hawaiian plant species and rare birds like the 'Apapane and 'Amakihi, it offers a magical walk through a misty cloud forest via a narrow boardwalk trail. Accessible only by 4WD and guided hikes, this sacred wao akua (“realm of the gods”) is one of Hawaii's most unique and untouched ecosystems.

Kamakou Preserve, Molokai

Located high in the mountains of East Molokai, the Kamakou Preserve is a 2,774-acre (11.2 sq. km) hidden sanctuary that shelters a rich rainforest of over 250 species of Hawaiian flowers, of which at least 219 can be found nowhere else in the world. If you want to take your time appreciating the beauty of the preserve, sign up for one of the monthly hikes that the staff of the National Conservancy in Hawaii offer*. Consider it your roundtrip ticket to an intimate date with nature.

Once you get to the preserve, you can take a 3-mile (4.8 km) boardwalk through the conservation and the Pepeopae Bog. It's a relatively easy hike, but the preserve is not an easy place to reach. One needs a four-wheel drive vehicle to get here and it is recommended to come with an experienced guide.

Visitors who have been to the Kamakou Preserve have said that one of the highlights of the trail is hearing the Kawawahie and the Olomao sing. These are two Hawaiian birds that are considered endangered species, but can still be observed in the Kamakou rainforest. Other native animals that live here include the Pueo (a Hawaiian owl), the 'Apapane and the 'Amakihi.

Before visiting this beautiful rainforest, you can also visit the Waikolu Valley and the Sandalwood Pit, as they are just along the way to the Kamakou Preserve. The ancient Hawaiians called this forest wao akua, which means “the realm of the gods.” Walking through this nature preserve, it is easy to see why.

*For more information on visiting this preserve, contact the Molokai field office at (808) 553-5236 or e-mail hike_molokai@tnc.org.

Key Features of Kamakou Preserve

• Protected rainforest habitat: 2,774 acres of native flora and fauna, many found nowhere else in the world.
• Endemic wildlife: Home to endangered Hawaiian forest birds like the Kawawahie and Olomao.
• Boardwalk trail: A 3-mile wooden trail leads through the Pepeopae Bog for a quiet, immersive experience.
• Limited access: Reached only by 4WD and best explored with a guided monthly hike offered by The Nature Conservancy.
• Cultural significance: Known to Hawaiians as wao akua, or "realm of the gods," due to its spiritual and ecological importance.