in pre-contact times, natives traveling up mauna kea were probably guided more by landscape than by existing trails, as no evidence of trails has been found. it is possible that natural ridges and water sources were followed instead. individuals likely took trips up mauna kea's slopes to visit family-maintained shrines near its summit, and traditions related to ascending the mountain exist to this day. however, very few natives reached the summit, because of the strict "kapu" placed on it.