On Saturday, December 19, 2015, the Kona Hiking Club will visit the Kohana`iki Beach Park and hike on historic trails in the vicinity.
This loop hike is about 5 miles total. The route is mostly flat, with a few very short but rough ascents and descents. Approximately half of it will be across a lava field on the Ala Mamalahoa (also referred to as Ala Loa, Ala Nui, or “King’s Trail”). The trail is “improved”, but still consists entirely of uneven rock underfoot, and there is no shade.
The route then takes us briefly into the northern portion of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park on the Ala Nui Kaloko and the Ala Hele Po’e Kahiko, after which we will continue along the shoreline on the Ala Kahakai. There will be some shade along the shoreline. The walking surface there is mostly sand, with some paved portions.
Hikers need to be prepared for potentially hot, sunny weather, especially when we are traversing the Ala Mamalahoa. Wind, rain or overcast are also possible, but it is not likely to be cold. Wear closed-toed shoes, bring sun protection, lunch or snack, and at least two liters of water per person. Hiking sticks are highly recommended.
We will meet at 7:00 a.m. in the first public parking area at Kohana`iki Beach Park. The road to Kohana`iki is on the makai side of Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway between Hulikoa Drive and NEHLA (OTEC). Kohana`iki Drive is marked with white pylons on the makai side of the highway, and yellow pylons in the center of the highway. If you are coming from town, you will need to go past it and turn around legally at NEHLA.
Follow Kohana’iki Drive (beach park public access road) about 1.2 miles out to the ocean. As soon as you get to the water, there is a small guard shack on the left, and a public parking lot on the right. This is our meeting point.
Participants desiring to carpool from Kailua-Kona may meet at 6:15 a.m. at Lanihau Center, and should depart no later than 6:30 a.m. Please park well away from the businesses in the corner of the parking lot near Buns in the Sun. A hike leader will not be present, so be prepared to organize your own carpool, if necessary. Visitors as well as residents are welcome to participate — there is no charge. However, carpoolers are encouraged to contribute toward gasoline costs.
An informative brochure about the plants, animals, historical, and cultural aspects of this area is available at: http://www.kohanaiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/KohanaikiNatureGuide.pdf
For further information, call Kathleen 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 this 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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