“Na Ala Hele” is the State of Hawaii Trail and Access Program. Established in 1988 in response to public concern about the loss of public access to certain trails and the threat to historic trails from development pressure. Na Ala Hele has become increasingly engaged in trail management and regulatory issues due to both public and commercial recreational activities and emerging legal issues.

http://hawaiitrails.ehawaii.gov/

Administered by the Division of Forestry and Wildlife - Department of Land and Natural Resources

Legal authority:
° Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 198D
° Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 13, Chapter 130

Administrative directives:
° Regulate activity for specific trails and accesses
° Conduct trail and access inventory and classification
° Investigate potential and needed trails and accesses
° Examine legal issues associated with trails and access
° Act as point of contact for trail and access information and issues
° Conduct trail and access advisory council meetings

Primary management activities:
° Construct, restore and maintain trails and access roads through utilization of staff and partnerships with community volunteers

Island Trail and Access Advisory Councils, comprised of trail user groups and constituents, provide a venue for public input on implementing the program.

Trails and access roads are important management features that provide multiple services:
° Suppression of fire and access to combat wildland fire
° Access for hunting environmentally damaging game species
° Access to monitor, research and restore native flora and fauna
° Access to experience cultural history and historic trail features
° Access for search and rescue efforts and resource management
° Recreational opportunities (hike, hunt, bicycle, equestrian, off-road vehicle)
° Economic and tourism opportunities through commercial trail excursions