Mountain Biking - uplifted bike parks? Or downhill biking?

Question

I’m planning a mountain bike trip to New Zealand from the UK, stopping in Hawaii on my way.

Are there any downhill mountain bike parks in Hawaii? Where there is no uphill riding involved? Just a chair lift or vehicle uplift to take bikers to the top of the trails and then you ride down?

Also, are there any recommended organised downhill tours? I saw a sunrise one but it’s just road riding and we prefer off road, technical downhill trails or flow trails than roads. I’m thinking there might not be anything as Google isn’t finding much but I wanted to ask the experts!

Answer

Hawaii is a stunning destination for outdoor sports, but when it comes to downhill mountain biking with mechanical uplifts (chair lifts or vehicle transport to the top), options are extremely limited compared to places like New Zealand, Whistler, or Colorado. Hawaii’s trails are mostly natural singletrack and forest roads, and almost all riding involves some uphill pedaling unless you organize private shuttles.

Here’s an overview by island:

Maui: There are some downhill trails around the West Maui Mountains, Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area, and Haleakalā slopes. However, these trails do not have chair lifts or regular shuttles—you would either need a support vehicle or arrange a private guide for vehicle transport to the trailhead. The terrain can be technical with roots, rocks, and switchbacks.
Big Island: Kona and Waimea areas have some challenging trails, mostly lava-based or forest trails. Again, no formal uplift bike parks exist. Some tour companies can shuttle you up dirt roads to start points, but this is more “ride down from the top” than a full bike park experience.
Oahu: North Shore and Ko'olau mountains have excellent singletrack and flow trails, but the terrain is mainly mixed climbs and descents. Some companies offer guided shuttle rides for mountain biking in the Koolau Range.
Kauai: Known for rugged trails and technical singletrack. Accessing the top often requires driving up old logging roads or arranging guided shuttles, but no chair lifts exist.

If you are looking specifically for organized downhill tours or shuttled rides, you’ll want to contact local mountain biking companies for private shuttle options rather than relying on lift-access bike parks:

Maui Bike Company: Offers guided rides and can arrange private shuttles up to trailheads on Haleakalā and Polipoli.
Big Island Bike Tours: Can organize guided downhill experiences and shuttle support on Kona and Waimea trails.
Oahu Mountain Biking Tours: Private guided tours with vehicle assistance to trailheads in the Koolau mountains.

Summary: Hawaii does not have traditional uplifted bike parks like New Zealand, Whistler, or the Alps. If your trip is focused on purely downhill, lift-assisted technical riding, you may find Hawaii somewhat limiting. However, for adventurous off-road singletrack with private shuttle support, Maui, Big Island, and Oahu can provide memorable rides. Expect rugged terrain, roots, lava rock, and natural obstacles, so be prepared for technical riding and variable conditions.