Hoapili Trail - Maui, HI - Hiking and walking trailheads on Waymarking.com

From: TravelDK

"This trail follows the remnants of the stone-paved Hoapili (King’s) Highway, which once encircled the entire island of Maui. Ancient house platforms, heiau, and other archaeological sites are visible along the trail that winds from the sea, up the mountain, and back down along the coastline." Hoapili, which means "attached to my bosom" was one of two chiefs appointed by the great King Kamehameha I, along with his brother, Ho‘olulu.

Taking Route 32 south through Kihei and Makena, past Makena State Park and through the Ahihi-Kinal Natural Reserve, one comes to Laperouse Bay where the paved road ends and this trail begins. This section of Hoapili Trail is about 5 1/2 miles of rugged terrain over the lava fields with dry, hot conditions and no shelter or resources as the trail begins to wrap around Maui's southern tip.

At the trail head is a stone monument marking the spot where the first European set foot on the island of Maui.

LAPEROUSE MEMORIAL

ON MAY 30TH, 1786
FRENCH ADMIRAL JEAN-FRANCOIS GALAUP COMTE DE LAPEROUSE,
COMMANDING THE TWO FRIGATES LA BOUSSOLE AND L'ASTROLABE,
WAS THE FIRST KNOWN EUROPEAN NAVIGATOR TO LAND
AT KEONE'E'IO ALSO CALLED LAPEROUSE BAY ON THE ISLAND OF MAUI.

DONATED BY THE FRIENDS OF LAPEROUSE ON MAY 30TH 1994

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Jean-François de Galaup (Lapérouse) was a brilliant French naval officer who distinguished himself in many battles, including those during the American war with the Briish, including the Battle of Louisbourg in 1781.

Following the Treaty of Paris in 1783, Lapérouse was appointed by Louis XVI to lead an around-the-world scientific expedition of exploration. He left Brest on August 1, 1785, commanding the two frigates, Boussole and Astrolabe, with a crew of 220. Lapérouse, discovered Maui on May 30, 1786, but his ill-fated expedition would never return home, mysteriously disappearing after leaving Botany Bay on March 10, 1788. Later expeditions confirmed that they had gone aground near the Santa Cruz Island group.

There are many places named for Lapérouse, including Lapérouse Bay here, and two other Lapérouse Bays in Canada and the Easter Islands - and, even a crater on the moon.

Sources:
Wikipedia Jean François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse
Australian Dictionary of Biography
Dictionary of Canadian Biography
Encyclopædia Britannica Online

Trailhead/trail website: [Web Link] Trail type: lava Parking: Not Listed Trail allowances or restrictions: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   09/05/2016 poulpophile visited it