Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Accessibility Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan (SETP)
Introduction
An accessibility self-evaluation and transition plan (SETP), as required by section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act, assesses a park's facilities, services, programs, and current policies and practices and provides strategies and solutions to improve access for people with disabilities. The self-evaluation transition plan consists of two parts: the self-evaluation, which identifies barriers in facilities, programs, and services, and the transition plan, which outlines critical steps and time lines for removing barriers and improving accessibility for all visitors, from trip planning to the conclusion of their experience.
The National Park Service (NPS) planning team assessed Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail at points where it passes through three other national parks: Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, and Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park. The team walked along Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail through each park and assessed different site features and facilities in the area, such as trailhead signage, waysides, and benches. Southern portions of the trail and trail corridor traverse through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
An interdisciplinary team of accessibility specialists and park staff completed the assessment and drafted a transition plan for areas where Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail traverses through national parks. This storymap describes the park areas and site features that are currently accessible and others that will be more accessible to people with disabilities as improvements are made. This storymap also identifies other prominent, nonfederal public and private lands that were not assessed but through which the trail passes. The National Park Service is still responsible for assuring equitable public access on these lands.
The National Park Service (NPS) is Seeking Your Input
Between November 22, and December 22, 2023, you are invited to (1) review these draft plans and provide feedback about the proposed accessibility improvements, and (2) provide information about your experiences with Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail. Your participation will help us understand the conditions at the four park units and inform how we can improve accessibility throughout the trail corridor.
How to Participate
Click on any “Respond here!” button to share your comments on the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website.
Planning Process
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires that federal entities, including parks, conduct a self-evaluation of accessibility, draft a transition plan, and provide program accessibility. A self-evaluation and transition plan (SETP) assesses a park's facilities, services, programs and current policies and practices and provides an action plan for correcting deficiencies. The plan helps park staff remove barriers and improve accessibility for all visitors, from planning a trip to the end of their visit.
The process for developing a SETP involves seven steps:
1. Identify Key Park Experiences and Park Areas
Key experiences are iconic and important experiences for visitors to understand the purpose and significance of the park.
2. Identify Park Areas to be Assessed
The areas selected for assessment provide the best opportunities for the public to access all key park experiences.
3. Identify Facilities, Services, and Programs in Each Park Area
Ensure that all physical and programmatic visitor amenities within each park area are reviewed for accessibility.
4. Conduct Accessibility Assessment
Identify physical and programmatic barriers to accessibility.
5. Draft the Transition Plan
Add field results to an implementation strategy table and draft conceptual site plans to display the locations of barriers and recommended improvements.
6. Conduct Public Involvement (we are here!)
Gather public input on existing accessibility conditions and proposed accessibility improvements.
7. Finalize the Transition Plan
Finalize recommended strategies for implementing responsive solutions parkwide for improved accessibility.
About the Trail
Established in 2000 to preserve, protect, and interpret traditional Native Hawaiian culture and natural resources, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail is a 175-mile corridor encompassing a network of culturally and historically significant trails. This “trail by the sea” traverses wahi pana (storied landscapes), ancient Hawaiian sites, and more than 200 ahupuaʻa (traditional land divisions). Most of the trail is physically inaccessible to visitors with disabilities. Surfaces vary throughout the corridor, each reflecting its own cultural significance, ranges from gravel jeep roads and smooth Pahoehoe Lava to the harsh ʻAʻā Lava and sandy shores. It is important to note that many intact segments of ancient and historic trails throughout the trail corridor are archaeological sites and subject to both State and Federal historic preservation laws and policies.
Ahupua’a
In addition to crossing NPS units, the trail corridor traverses many ahupuaʻa, traditional land divisions, each representative of its own trail community. These land sections were the basic units of agricultural production and the traditional home for most makaʻāinana, the commoners who farmed the land. The ahupuaʻa extended from mountain to sea (mauka to makai) and were generally organized to provide the variety of resources that a community needed.
Explore the ahupuaʻa and their moku (districts) by navigating throughout the map.
Trail Types
Surfaces vary throughout the corridor, each reflecting its own cultural significance, ranges from gravel jeep roads and smooth Pahoehoe Lava to the harsh ʻAʻā Lava and sandy shores. Most of the trail is physically inaccessible to visitors with disabilities.
The Role of the National Park Service
The National Park Service plays a unique administrative role in the broader management of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, while the trail community manages particular segments. This means that while the National Park Service assists in carrying out the goals identified by the trail community, it does not make management decisions regarding the trail. However, this administrative role includes assuring management decisions are in compliance with NEPA and Sec 106 compliance, visitor safety, accessibility requirements and compliance with other state, county and federal regulatory, historic preservation and land use laws. Trail segments that run through other national park units are managed by their respective staff members. Recognizing this, the planning team chose to provide accessibility recommendations for the trail at three of the four national parks through which it primarily traverses, identify locations for nearby accessible experiences, and provide guidance for making accessibility improvements elsewhere on the trail.
Areas of particular importance are features at trailheads and the conditions and characteristics of the trail itself. The US Access Board identifies five trailhead information requirements per chapter 10 of the Architectural Barriers Act under sections F216.13 and 1017.10. Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail staff prioritize acquiring and communicating this information at corridor trailheads and throughout park publications. This information includes:
- length of trail or trail segment
- type of trail surface
- typical and minimum trail tread width
- typical and maximum trail grade
- typical and maximum trail cross slope
Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail and Nonfederal Public Lands
Critical trail junctures exist beyond the park boundaries where state and county public lands intersect the trail. By viewing the trail in a comprehensive way, visitors gain a more complete understanding of what their trip options are, including destinations and where to go, and a clearer awareness of what accessible features, such as parking, may be provided nearby.
The state and county lands have not been assessed for their accessibility. Visit the Division of State Parks or the County of Hawaii websites to learn more about these areas.
Click the NPS unit names below to view surrounding state and county parks.
Do you have input on existing accessibility conditions where state and county public lands intersect Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail?
Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail and NPS Units
Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail passes through four NPS-managed sites as it winds along the western coast of Hawai'i. Continue scrolling to learn about the proposed accessibility recommendations at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, and Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park.
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
Proposed accessibility improvements include the following:
Trailheads
- Improve slopes, striping, and signage at parking lots.
- New trailhead signage describing trail characteristics.
- Improve slopes and surfaces for connecting outdoor recreation access routes.
- Improve drinking fountain accessibility.
Trail Interpretation
- Audio description for interpretive waysides along trail.
- Improve approaches to waysides.
- Relocate inaccessible waysides to accessible locations along the trail.
Trail Segments
- Extend segments of accessible trail surface.
- Improve programmatic access to inaccessible portions of the trail.
- Improve trail surfaces and slopes.
- Relocate benches and space for companion seating.
Do you have input on the proposed accessibility improvements for Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail at Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site?
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
Proposed accessibility improvements include the following:
Trailheads
- Improve slopes, striping, and signage at parking lots.
- New trailhead signage describing trail characteristics.
- Improve restroom and drinking fountain accessibility.
- Improve slopes and surfaces for connecting outdoor recreation access routes.
Trail Interpretation
- Audio description for interpretive waysides along trail.
- Improve approaches to waysides.
Trail Segments
- Extend segments of accessible trail surface.
- Improve trail surfaces and slopes.
Do you have input on the proposed accessibility improvements for Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park?
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
Proposed accessibility improvements include the following:
Trailheads
- Improve slopes, striping, and signage at parking lots.
- New trailhead signage describing trail characteristics, including maps and information.
- Improve slopes and surfaces for connecting outdoor recreation access routes.
- Improve restroom accessibility, entrances, and signage.
- New accessible drinking fountains.
Trail Interpretation
- Audio description for interpretive waysides along trail.
- Improve approaches to waysides.
- Update text and fonts.
- Duplicate waysides in accessible locations that are currently located along inaccessible routes.
Trail Segments
- Improve trail surfaces and slopes where feasible.
Do you have input on the proposed accessibility improvements for Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park?
Provide Your Input
Between November 22, and December 22, 2023, we invite your input about existing accessibility conditions and the proposed accessibility improvements at each of the park assessed areas. Once the National Park Service has gathered input from this public comment period, we will develop the final transition plan.