The Kona Hiking Club will walk the trails in Kalopa Native Forest Park and Forest Preserve on Saturday, July 16. The park, located at approximately 2,000 feet elevation on the Hamakua Coast, contains acres of mature native Hawaiian rain forest and various introduced species.

The hike is approximately 4 miles in length, with an elevation gain of about 600 feet. Visitors as well as residents are invited to participate. There is no charge, although carpoolers are encouraged to contribute toward gasoline costs. No pets are allowed.

Check these links for interesting info:

http://katherinejohnson.net/2010/09/14/hiking-kalopa-state-park-big-island-hawaii/

http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/hawaii/kalopa.cfm

http://www.hawaiiweb.com/hawaii/html/sites/kalopa_native_forest_state_park.html

Wet conditions and muddy, slippery trails are common here. Hikers should wear closed-toed shoes. Wear bright colored clothing as there may be hunters in the area. A hiking stick and rain gear are also recommended. In addition, hikers should carry two quarts of water per person and trail snacks. There aren’t many mosquitoes but insect repellent is recommended for people who are mosquito magnets. Those wishing to do so, may leave a picnic lunch in the car to eat at the park pavilion after the hike.

The hike will start at Kalopa Park at 9:00 a.m at the picnic pavillion parking lot. The park is located mauka of Highway 19, five miles southeast of Honoka’a. The turnoff to the park is marked, and is located between mile markers 39 and 40. (Do not take the Kalopa Road turnoff between mile markers 42 and 43, as it takes longer and you may be late.)

Participants desiring to carpool from Kailua-Kona may meet at Lanihau Center, in the corner of the parking lot near Buns-In-The-Sun, but well away from the businesses. Carpoolers should arrive at 7:00 and depart by 7:15 a.m. A hike leader will be present at the carpool meeting point. Please be prompt.

For additional information, please phone 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 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!

The Kona Hiking Club will visit the upper Wailuku River section on Saturday, September 18. The trail is between the 13.5 and 14.5 mile markers on Saddle Road in Hilo Watershed Forest Reserve on the southeastern slope of Mauna Kea.

http://www.ohranger.com/hi/wailuku-river/map

The name Wailuku means “destructive waters” in the Hawaiian Language. The river can rise into the trees and drop back down very fast. At 26 miles in length it is the longest river in Hawaii and its course lies mostly along the divide between the lava flows of Mauna Kea and those of Mauna Loa to the south. It arises at about the 10,800 feet (3,300 m) elevation along the eastern slope of Mauna Kea and flows generally eastward, descending steeply from the mountain and entering the Pacific Ocean at Hilo.

A 3 mile jeep trail in to the river (6 mile roundtrip mostly level at the 3900’ elev) will be the regular hike, with the more adventuresome hikers following the river downstream to explore additional pools. The jeep trail was originally built to provide access to the gauging station and is much used by hunters. Trail is sometimes wet, muddy, and dotted with small ponds which need to be passed through or around. This is a great hike on a sunny day. Just about the time you feel hot and sweaty, there is a whole river to swim in.

Although it’s been dry lately, be prepared for rain and mosquitoes. Participants must carry at least two liters of water per person. Closed-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting wet, sun protection, lunch or snack, and hiking sticks are also recommended. Don’t forget your bathing suit and towel if you plan on swimming.

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.

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 Buns in the Sun. Others may meet at Pu’u Huluhulu parking lot across from Mauna Kea Access Road at 8:30 a.m. From here we will carpool to the trailhead which has limited parking.

For more information, please 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 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!

On MONDAY, June 21, 2010, we will be hiking the Waipio Valley floor, and the number of hikers will be limited to 25! A Waipio Valley resident has very kindly agreed to host and guide us on an approximately four-mile tour of the valley including the base of a waterfall. This will be a relatively easy hike on mostly flat terrain, dirt roads and trails and should last about two to three hours. Since the majority of the property in Waipio Valley is privately owned, this is a special opportunity for KHC folks to see areas usually off limits to the public.

Since, we will be hiking primarily on private property, it is imperative that the group stay together.

We will be crossing the river as well as several rocky bottomed creeks, so water shoes would be helpful.

Each hiker must bring at least 2 litres of water and snacks or lunch. A hat, sunscreen, boots or closed-toed shoes are also highly recommended as well as a hiking stick.

Hikers will meet at the Waipio Valley Visitors Overlook at 8am and travel in 4WD vehicles to the valley floor to begin the hike by 9am. Anyone able to provide a 4WD vehicle, please do so and advise the hike leader accordingly. You will be given preference as we are limited to 25 hikers. All-wheel drive vehicles will not be allowed down the road to the valley floor.

Visitors as well as residents are invited to participate. Those wishing to carpool may meet at the Lanihou Shopping Center near Buns in the Sun at 6:30 am and depart there by 6:45 am. There is no charge, but carpoolers are encouraged to contribute toward gasoline costs.

To sign up for the hike, please phone Alice at 322-6481.

This hike will be approximately 8 miles roundtrip. This is not a hike for the faint of heart.

On Saturday, May 15, 2010 the Kona Hiking Club will hike a labyrinth of trails that traverse across beautiful sandy beaches, thorny keawe forest, a’a and pahoehoe lava fields in the Miloli’i area. The hike will be roundtrip approximately 8 miles in length along a coastline trail. There will be an opportunity to view Ahole Holua (Slide) and where the Hawaiian ancestors lived along the coastal shores of Hawaii. This hike will be relatively level with approximately 0.0’ -100’ elevation gain starting from the shorelines of Miloli`i. For more info about the area:

http://travelingluck.com/North+America/United+States/Hawaii/_5856054_Holua+Slide.html#local_map
Although the shoreline is rocky, there is access to 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. On one section we need to cross along the high tide line for a short distance while staying close to a private property wall. Depending on the tides this could be wet. Be prepared to get wet or remove shoes.

Each hiker must bring at least 2 liters of waterand may bring any snacks or food you desire, a hat, sunscreen, closed-toed shoes although hiking boots and hiking sticks are highly recommended. The keawe forest section has many thorns that can easily penetrate soft soled shoes.

From Kona, drive approximately 30 miles south to around Mile Marker 89, Turn right onto Miloli’i Road, drive approximately 5 miles to the end of Miloli`i and park at Miloli`i Beach Park in designated parking area.

We will meet in the parking area at the end of Miloli`i Drive at 7:30 a.m. There will be two carpool locations for participants desiring to do so. One group will meet at 6:00 a.m. at Keauhou Shopping Center in Keauhou and depart no later than 6:15 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 6:15 a.m. and depart by 6:30 a.m. The Center is located on Mamalahoa Hwy. at the intersection of Kiloa Rd. between the 110 and 109 mile markers. Hike leaders will not be present at the Kealakekua carpool location. 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 Alice at 938-1491 or 322-6481.

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!

The Kona Hiking Club will hike to the Kauhola Point Lighthouse and then on to Kapanai’a Bay on Saturday, April 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 six to seven miles over moderate terrain and will take between three and four hours hiking time.

We will drive to the lighthouse area and then hike to our destination and return the same way. The road to the lighthouse requires four-wheel drive vehicles, so anyone able to provide one please do so.

While erosion and some landslides have changed the shoreline since our last hike to the area in 2007, it remains a beautiful hike with only one deep, steep ravine. Hiking a bit more on a dirt road than in the past is also necessary.

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 Buns in the Sun. Others may meet at 9 a.m. at the old mill parking area, about ½ mile makai of Highway 270 on Mill Road.

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 on Mill Road (just past Halaula Road). There is no street sign, but there is an ATV business at this intersection, which comes before Arakawa Store and the Middle School. Proceed ½ mile to the parking area near old mill buildings. From there we will carpool down the narrow 4WD road to the Lighthouse where we will park and begin the hike on to Kapanai’a Bay.

For more information, please call Alice at 322-6481.

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!

On Saturday, March 20, 2010, the Kona Hiking Club will hike one way along the Kona shoreline from Honokohau Harbor to the Old Airport. The hike covers about five miles of rough, but very interesting and unique terrain. A swim and picnic lunch will be possible at the completion of the hike.

Visitors as well as residents are invited to participate in this outing and there is no charge. Hikers will meet and park at the north side of the Old Airport at 8:30 a.m. and carpool to the Honokohau Harbor to start the one way hike. The trail is over rough lava, so wear good hiking shoes. Hikers need to be prepared for potentially warm, sunny weather, so carry at least two quarts of water per person and use sun protection.

For additional information, please phone Steve at 990-7716.

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 http://www.konahikingclub.com/ 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!

Finally, the announcement for the September hike! Hopefully, everyone will think it well worth waiting for. Kahua Ranch on Kohala Mountain has given KHC permission to hike on their property accompanied by a seasoned ranch guide, Harry Wishard. Our usual date of the third Saturday each month was not available, so the hike will take place on Saturday, September 26, 2009. KHC has not hiked there as a group since 2001, so this should be a most welcome new and different experience for most of us. And for you long timers with KHC, you will appreciate that Mr. Wishard is the son of Les Wishard who was one of the early leaders of KHC.

AT LONG LAST – a description of the September 26 hike, but first a correction as to the meeting place. Mr. Wishard’s home is located on the MAKAI side of Kohala Mtn. Rd. and not the mauka side as earlier stated.

We will meet at Mr. Wishard’s home located about ¼ mi. from the Kahua Ranch entry on the Kohala Mountain Road at 8 am. Coming from Waimea, look for his driveway .6 mi. past the 10 mi. marker on the MAKAI side of the road. Parking will be designated in a pasture area. 4wd vehicles will be required beyond that point, so if you can provide one, please do so.

We will be driving, 4wd vehicles only, from Mr. Wishard’s home up the mountain to a point where we will begin about a 45-minute, very steep climb up Pu’u Pili. There, weather permitting, we should enjoy spectacular views. The trail is likely to be muddy. From there, we will continue to another scenic location, with much of the hike being in forested land. The hike should last three to four hours.

All hikers should be prepared for unpredictable weather; while sunny weather is a possibility, so is windy, cool weather and rain. Bring at least two litres of water per person, wear closed-toe shoes or hiking boots, sun protection and a snack or lunch. A hiking stick is preferable.

Participants desiring to carpool from Kailua-Kona may meet at 6:15 a.m. at Lanihau Center and depart no later than 6:30 a.m. They should park well away from the businesses in the corner of the lot near Buns in the Sun. A club leader will be at the carpool parking area. Carpoolers are requested to contribute for gasoline costs.

For additional information, contact Alice at 322-6481.

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 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.

The Kona Hiking Club will be hiking on Mauna Kea on August 15 and August 22, 2009, due to the DLNR Natural Preserve Area Management restricting the size of each group to 20 hikers.

We now have a firm group hike approval from the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station and from DLNR.

We will be hiking at elevations between 10,000’ and 13,796’; therefore, when calling to make a reservation you will be supplied with the recommended restrictions and requirements for hikingat high elevations. We sincerely hope that anyone unable to satisfy these requirements will not make a reservation leaving the openings available for other eligible people desiring to make the hike.

Carpoolers should meet at 7:30am at Lanihau Shopping Center parking lot in Kailua-Kona near Buns in the Sun on Saturday, August 15, and again on Saturday, August 22, 2009. From there we will depart at 7:45am. It will take approximately 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 hrs. to reach the Visitor Center on Mauna Kea, so we should arrive there between 9:15 to 9:30am. Anyone not wishing to carpool should be at the Visitor Center by that time.

Approximately 45 minutes will be spent at the Visitor Center to acclimate to the altitude before proceeding to the summit by car. Anyone feeling any adverse effects of the altitude at this time should not proceed but leave the mountain immediately. Hikers must also remember that DLNR requires the group stay together, so fast hikers may have to slow their pace to accomplish this.

One vehicle will be left at Parking Lot 1 and another at Parking Lot 2 enroute to the summit. Upon reaching the upper observatory parking lot, we will hike out to the summit and back. There is a short steep downhill and then a longer steep uphill trail to the actual summit. The round trip can be done in 30 to 45 minutes, but we will not be on any special schedule. It is recommended that everyone hike at a slower than usual pace.

We will then drive to the lower observatory Parking Lot 3, and follow the Humu’u Ula Trail (Mauna Kea Trail) out to Lake Wai’au at the 13,200’ elevation where there will also be an uphill climb and then down to the lake. Upon leaving the lake, we will continue down the trail to the point closest to Parking Lot 1, our final destination. Drivers will be ferried back to the upper Parking Lots. The hiking surface in all areas is primarily loose, small a’a lava and gravel.

Due to the limited number of participants, please phone Alice Walker at 322-6481 or 938-1491
to make a reservation if you wish to attend, keeping in mind that those with 4WD vehicles will be given preference. Should you get the answering machine, please be sure to state the date and time of your call as Alice will be taking reservations on a first-come, first-serve basis.

All hikers should be prepared for windy and cool weather, with temperatures possibly being in the 40s. Bring at least two litres of water per person, wear closed-toe shoes or hiking boots, sun protection and a snack or lunch. A hiking stick is also recommended.

The Kona Hiking Club will take a shoreline hike from KiholoBeach to the Kona village Resort on Saturday, April 18th. The hike will be approximately 4 miles in length, over diverse terrain that includes; rough, dry, barren lava, sandy beaches, pahoehoe and in some areas ancient Hawaiian trails. We will be hiking along beautiful coastlines for some fantastic photographic opportunities and several places for the prospect of gathering Hawaiian Salt.

Hikers should anticipate hot, dry conditions and bring at least 2 litters of water per person, along with any snacks you may desire along the way. Sun protection, sturdy hiking boots, a hat and walking stick are highly recommended.

Visitors as well as residents are welcome to participate and there is no charge. I have had several requests for our hikes to start at a “reasonable” hour, and the majority voted for 8:00 a.m. Participants should meet at 8:00 a.m. at the “Loretta Lynn/round house” (south of KiholoBay). Driving North from Kailua-Kona on Queen Ka’ahumanu Hwy, turn left (makai) onto the gravel road between mile marker 82 and 83 (before the scenic view turnout). Follow the gravel road towards the ocean, eventually turning left a short distance – look for deserted, raised round house with parking area on the right.

Those desiring to carpool from Kailua-Kona may meet at the Lanihau Center, in the vicinity of Buns in the Sun. Please respect the businesses and park away from the store fronts. Carpoolers should meet at 7:15 a.m. to organize and depart no later than 7:30 a.m. Carpoolers are encouraged to contribute towards gasoline costs. I am also looking for volunteers willing to leave their vehicle at the Kona Village Resort to carpool hikers back to Kiholo after the hike.

For more information and any volunteers please call Marti at 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

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!