April 27, 2024

Waikoloa Petroglyphs/Mauna Lani-December 16, 2017

The Kona Hiking Club will do a loop hike from Waikoloa Petroglphs to Mauna Lani and back to Anaehoomalu Bay on Saturday, December 18. The hike will be about 8 miles round trip, over hilly and uneven rocky terrain, sandy beach and golf cart paths.

Near the beginning of the ~4 mile section of the Kings Trail portion of the hike we will view a large petroglyph field. https://www.lovebigisland.com/waikoloa-petroglyphs/

After merging with the Kalahuipuaa Historical Park trail there will be two options for swimming at Mauna Lani, one in a Queen’s Bath and the other at the beach.  https://inspiredimperfection.com/adventures/kalahuipuaa-historic-park-and-trails/

We will take time to enjoy the water and some snacks before continuing along the hot shoreline/coastline back to Anaehoomalu Bay.  There are showers at Anaehoomalu Bay. Those who are interested can join us at Lava Lava or another restaurant in the area for lunch.

It’s important to have shoes that can handle the lava rock portion of the hike.  

We will meet at the Queen’s Marketplace near Starbucks at 8:00 am. Carpoolers can meet at Lanihau Shopping Center near Daylight Mind. Please park away from the businesses. While there is no charge for carpooling, anyone doing so is encouraged to chip in for gasoline. A hike leader will not be at this location unless requested.  Arrive and prepare to leave by 7:00 am.

The weather is typically hot and sunny, although rainy weather though rare is possible as well. Hikers should wear closed toed shoes, carry hiking sticks and bring at least two liters of water, snacks, and sunscreen.

For additional information, contact Kathleen Johnson at 557-9246.

PLEASE NOTE: All members are welcome to bring guests or pass on information about our hikes to other hikers. However, if you do so, PLEASE make sure that you direct them to the Kona Hiking Club website to review the hike announcement and description. We want to make sure that everyone is prepared for the specific hike we are doing that day, whether we’re facing mud, heat, cold, steep trails, rocky trails, high altitude, exceptionally long distances, etc. Mahalo for helping us keep everyone safe!

Green Sand Beach-September 16, 2017

The Kona Hiking Club will hike to Green Sand Beach at South Point on Saturday, September 16. The hike will be about 5 miles round trip over mostly level terrain. Hikers should be prepared for both hot and/or windy conditions and possibly rain. There is no shade on the trail.

Each person should carry 2 liters of water. Also recommended are closed-toe shoes, sun protection, lunch, and a hiking stick. If ocean conditions permit, swimming may be an option at the lunch stop. However, there is no lifeguard.

Hikers will meet at 8:30 a.m. at the parking lot near the boat ramp. Driving south from Kailua, turn right on South Point Road (between mm 69 & 70). Follow road (guestimate) 7-8 miles until you come to a rough paved road veering left. Take left and follow road to the boat ramp parking area past an old hut where there are locals selling 4WD rides and drinks.

Participants desiring to carpool from Kailua-Kona may meet at 6:45 a.m. at Lanihau Center in the vicinity of Daylight Mind, well away from the businesses. A hike leader will not be present for carpooling, so be prepared to organize your own carpool and hikers should depart no later than 7:00 a.m. Carpoolers are encouraged to chip-in for gasoline.

If you have any questions, please phone Kathleen at 557-9246 or email: konahikingclub@gmail.com

PLEASE NOTE: All members are welcome to bring guests or pass on information about our hikes to other hikers. However, if you do so, PLEASE make sure that you direct them to the Kona Hiking Club website to review the hike announcement and description. We want to make sure that everyone is prepared for the specific hike we are doing that day, whether we’re facing mud, heat, cold, steep trails, rocky trails, high altitude, exceptionally long distances, etc. Mahalo for helping us keep everyone safe!

Mauna Loa Weather Observatory to North Pit-July 15, 2017-RSVP

Mauna Loa: A Stirring Giant?

The Kona Hiking Club will be hiking to the North Pit, the northern most edge of the summit crater of Mauna Loa at over 13,000’ on Saturday, July 15, 2017. We will travel by car to the Mauna Loa Weather Observatory located just above the 11,000’ level, spend one-half hour acclimatizing, then hike on a 4WD road to a point where it intersects the lava rock trail to our destination. We will take the trail for the return trip. The entire hike will take a minimum of seven hours. It is not planned that we will reach the actual summit, as that would add approximately two to four hours to the hike.
We have not offered this hike for a long time. Please be sure you are in good health as this is a high altitude hike where even the most seasoned hiker may experience high altitude sickness.
Please read the following webpages:
http://www.dangerousroads.org/north-america/usa/562-mauna-loa-usa.html
http://www.bigislandhikes.com/mauna-loa/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauna_Loa

Carpoolers should meet at 6:15am at Lanihau Shopping Center parking lot in Kailua-Kona near Baskin Robbins. From there we will depart at 6:30am. It will take approximately 1-1/2 hrs. to reach Pu`u Huluhulu (across from Mauna Kea Access Road), so we should arrive there around 8:00am.  From there it is another 30 minute drive to the trailhead parking lot.

For RSVP, call Kathleen 557-9246.
or email: konahikingclub@gmail.com

All hikers should be prepared for windy and cool weather, fog, rain or even snow with temperatures possibly being in the 40s. Bring at least two liters of water per person, wear closed-toe shoes or hiking boots, sun protection and a snack or lunch. Hiking sticks are also recommended.

PLEASE NOTE: All members are welcome to bring guests or pass on information about our hikes to other hikers. However, if you do so, PLEASE make sure that you direct them to the Kona Hiking Club website to review the hike announcement and description. We want to make sure that everyone is prepared for the specific hike we are doing that day, whether we’re facing mud, heat, cold, steep trails, rocky trails, high altitude, exceptionally long distances, etc. Mahalo for helping us keep everyone safe!

Waimea Nature Park and Greenway Trail-May 20, 2017

On Saturday, May 20 we will start our hike at Waimea Nature Park and continue from the park through and along the Waimea Trail and Greenway. From there those who wish may join us for an additional hike on the trail at Anna Ranch (if open) for a total round trip of about 4 miles. We will end the hike back at the Nature Park where we can enjoy our lunches.

Waimea Nature Park “Ulu La`au” is a nature preserve located on 10 acres in the heart of the town of Waimea. Ulu La`au, which means “a garden of trees,” was first documented in 1830 as the name for this area. The seasonal Waikoloa Stream runs through the park. The purpose is to provide an area for peaceful public recreation as well as a place where residents and visitors can learn about the native plants of Hawaii. The park is a long-term community project of the Waimea Outdoor Circle.

For more information about The Waimea Trails and Greenways project: http://www.waimeatrails.org/

We will have a fellow hiker, Alice Jenkins, along on our hike that is very knowledgeable about this area.

The area is generally temperate with some shade, however, weather can vary and hikers should be prepared for rain as well as sun, carry at least two liters of water per person. Remember to bring sun protection and a snack or lunch.

Carpoolers will meet at 7:15 and leave at 7:30 a.m. from the Lanihau Center in Kailua-Kona, in the vicinity of Baskin Robbins and should park well away from the businesses. Carpoolers are requested to contribute for gasoline costs. Others may meet at 8:30 a.m. at Waimea Nature Park located at Ahuli Circle (look for unoffficial “Ulu Lau’au Lane” street sign two streets (one street is just an entrance to the Middle School) before the Hwy 19 intersection with Hwy 190. The main gate is past the Canada-France Observatory office at 65-1238 Mamalahoa Highway.

If you have any questions, please phone Kathleen 557-9246.
or email: konahikingclub@gmail.com

PLEASE NOTE: All members are welcome to bring guests or pass on information about our hikes to other hikers. However, if you do so, PLEASE make sure that you direct them to the Kona Hiking Club website to review the hike announcement and description. We want to make sure that everyone is prepared for the specific hike we are doing that day, whether we’re facing mud, heat, cold, steep trails, rocky trails, high altitude, exceptionally long distances, etc. Mahalo for helping us keep everyone safe!

Keahole’s Hu`ehu`e Lava Tubes-Jan. 28,2017-RSVP-UPDATE!

  1. The Kona Hiking Club will hike over and through the lava tubes north of the Keahole Kona Airport on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017. This area has some very unique lava formations. You’ll never drive past the area again and only see a “boring” field of lava. The hike will be less than 2 miles in length (round trip) over some occasionally rough, but moderate elevation terrain across a lava field. It’s important to wear closed toe shoes, hat, gloves, long sleeve shirt and long pants for crawling through the smaller openings. There is the option of only hiking part way in or just viewing from above. Flashlight or headlamp is needed for exploring the deeper recesses of the lava caves. [Read more…]