The Kona Hiking Club will hike to the Kauhola Point Lighthouse and then on to Kapanai’a Bay on Saturday, May 17. The beach is pebbly and the surf rocky and murky so swimming is not recommended. No lifeguards will be present. Total hike distance will be four to five miles over moderate terrain and will take about four+ hours hiking time depending on terrain challenges.
We will meet at Hawaii Wildlife Center Hospital then hike a loop to the lighthouse and across the shoreline area to Kapanaia Bay then back out to the highway and back to the Wildlife Center.
While erosion and some landslides have changed the shoreline since our last hike to the area in 2010, it remains a beautiful hike with only one deep, steep ravine. There may be overgrown areas so may want to wear long pants or zip off pants. Hiking a bit more on a dirt road than in the past may be necessary. Bring gloves for possible scrambling and ropes.
The area may be warm and windy; however, be prepared for rain as well. There is ample shade. Participants must carry at least two liters of water per person. Closed-toed shoes, sun protection, lunch or snack, and a hiking stick are also recommended.
Visitors as well as residents are invited to participate in this hike. There is no charge, although carpoolers are encouraged to chip-in for gasoline. No pets are allowed.
Carpoolers will meet at 6:45 a.m. and leave at 7:00 a.m. from Lanihau Center. Please park well away from the businesses, in the corner of the parking lot near Swirl Tea or other agreed on location. Others may meet at 9 a.m. at the Hawaii Wildlife Center Hospital 53-324 Lighthouse Rd, Kapaau, HI 96755, about ½ mile makai of Highway 270.
To get to the meeting point, proceed north from Kailua-Kona on the Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway to its intersection with Highways 270 & 19. Turn left towards Kawaihae and follow the signs to Hawi. Continue on highway 270 through Hawi and Kapa’au, to approximately the 24 ½ mile marker, and turn left onto Lighthouse Road. There is no street sign, but there is a blue sign that reads Hawaii Wildlife Center, which comes before the Middle School. Proceed ½ mile to a safe place to park near the Wildlife Center. We will determine the best area to leave our vehicles parked. From there we will hike the narrow 4WD road to the Lighthouse and begin the hike onto Kapanai’a Bay and the return trip to our vehicles.
For more information, please call Kathleen @ 808-557-9246 or 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
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