On Saturday March 21, 2009 the Kona Hiking Club will hike a labyrinth of trails that traverse across a’a and pahoehoe lava fields in the Miloli’i area. The hike will be approximately 3.5- 4 miles in length over rough, dry, barren lava where portions of the trails have smooth, flat shoreline stepping stones. There will be an opportunity to view a Hawaiian Maui well where the Hawaiian ancestors living along the coastal shores of Hawaii collected drinking water. This hike will be relatively level with approximately 200’ -300’ elevation gain starting from the shorelines of Papa Bay crossing large open fields of lava headed north by northeast towards (but not up) the cliffs of Miloli’i.
Although the shoreline is rocky, there is access to PapaBay or Miloli’i Beach Park for swimming and snorkeling after the hike.
Some areas of the hike can be strenuous across the lava fields. Hikers need to be prepared for potentially warm, sunny weather with little or no shaded areas; however, rain or overcast is always a possibility.
Each hiker should bring at least 2 liters of water, any snacks or food you may desire, a hat, sunscreen, closed-toed shoes although hiking boots and a hiking stick are highly recommended.
From Kona, drive approximately 30 miles south to around Mile Marker 89, Turn right onto Miloli’i Road, drive approximately 4 miles and turn right onto Ewalu St., Follow Ewalu St. past last house veering to the left (makai) down to parking area.
We will meet in the parking area at the end of Ewalu St. at 7.00 a.m. There will be two carpool locations for participants desiring to do so. One group will meet at 6:15 a.m. at KeauhouShopping Center in Keauhou and depart no later than 6:30 a.m. Please park well away from the businesses on the makai side of the parking lot in front of Longs Drugs. Another group will meet in the Kealakekua Ranch Center upper parking lot (near Ace Hardware) at 6:40 a.m. and depart by 6:45 a.m. The Center is located on Mamalahoa Hwy. at the intersection of Kiloa Rd. between the 110 and 109 mile markers. Hike leaders may or may not be present at the carpool locations. Visitors as well as residents are welcome to participate — there is no charge. Carpoolers are encouraged to contribute toward gasoline costs.
For additional information, please phone Marti 322-9206.
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!
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