Aloha! This cache is located at the Lahina Pali Trailhead (Ukumehame side), a strenuous but beautiful 5-mile trail from Maalaea to Ukumehame. This trail was built almost 200 years ago for horseback and foot travel, before which people used to travel by walking along the coast and then swimming when the coastline was blocked by cliffs. Around 1900, the trail fell out of use when a one-way dirt road was built at the base of the Pali trail...this new road was very narrow with 115 hairpin curves and extremely harrowing turns. The first motor car was driven on the new road in 1911, and finally in 1951 the modern Honoapiilani Highway was finished. The road was widened, many of the curves of the old Pali road were cut out, and the new highway also included the 315-foot long Lahaina tunnel which was the first public tunnel built for vehicles in Hawaii, and is still in use by everyone that travels Honoapiilani Highway today. Many local people will honk their horn when traveling through the tunnel (I've heard many reasons why from menehunes, to night marchers, to just for luck) so don't be alarmed if the car behind you honks - just give a little beep back and join in the tradition!
This cache is a quick stop and grab with parking available - pulling on and off the highway here can be dangerous so use caution entering/exiting the parking area. Located on the lower part of the trail, this cache has some fun souvenirs for exchange as well as collectables (at the time of publishing). If you continue on the trail, there is another cache "Old Road to Lahina" to grab further up where the view of the ocean is spectacular and great for whale watching from December-May (January-March have the most activity). Just a side note, the lower trail is shaded by Kiawe trees that have some pretty intense thorns (like stab you through your thin shoe intense) so be careful. Happy hunting!!