This geocache is hidden along Hapa Trail, which is a public road right-of-way that connects Koloa and Poipu. Hapa Road was the original road connecting these two communities. Kupuna (literally "grandparents") from Koloa Town still talk about riding in cars with their parents down Hapa Road to Poipu Beach. Hapa Trail is closed to through motor vehicle traffic, since there are now three other roads connecting Koloa Town with Poipu. Poipu Road was the 2nd connecting road, and once that was constructed, Hapa Road fell into disuse and disrepair. In the 1990s, the Ala Kinoiki (AKA the Koloa Bypass Road) was constructed; and then in the 2000s, Ala Kalanikaumaka (AKA the Western Bypass) was constructed.
The Koloa end of the road is still nicely paved, primarily to provide access to St. Raphael Church, the oldest Catholic Church on Kauai. The road becomes a gravel road/trail that goes from the church to Poipu Road. Starting at about 4/10 of a mile south of the church, Hapa Trail is adjacent to Kiahuna Plantation Drive, a newer road that provides access to new subdivisions.and the Kiahuna Golf Course.
The County maintains the paved portion of Hapa Road. The unpaved portion is somewhat regularly maintained by volunteers with assistance from the County of Kauai. The road is supposed to be owned by the County of Kauai, but technically the State of Hawaii owns it at the moment, due some odd legal issues. Most of the property along both sides of Hapa Trail is owned by the Knudsen Trust, with much of the land being used for grazing cattle or horses. Leaseholders on this land will occasionally drive down the gravel road to access their livestock.
Although not consistently signed for public use, Hapa Trail is definitely open to the public. At the north end of the trail (i.e. closed to motor vehicles) portion, the public right-of-way doesn't follow the gravel road between the pavement and the gate; rather it curves around by the entrance to the church, following the church's boundary wall to the gate. The provided parking coordinates are in this area. The closest vehicle access to the cache is actually from Kiahuna Plantation Drive. However, this is a private roadway and parking along this roadway may not be legal or appropriate; any parking there is at your own risk, although it is a very short walk from there.
The trailhead coordinates mark the southern end of Hapa Trail, near Poipu Road. From here you can enjoy a relaxing walk (almost a mile each way) along a pathway that has been used for more than 150 years.
Each year during the Koloa Plantation Days Festival, Koloa-born residents lead historic walks down Hapa Trail. If you are on Kauai in mid-July, these walks are a great way to learn about the history of the area.
For more information about Hapa Trail, here are few links:
http://www.hapatrail.org/
https://koloascenicbyway.org/point-of-interest/luahine-alapai-hapa-road/
http://www.koloaplantationdays.com/eventdetail.php?event_id=2
https://www.kauaipath.org/node/180