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!

On Saturday, January 17, 2009, the Kona Hiking Club will hike through Kahalu’u Forest Reserve, a pristine forest on Hualalai Mountain. The region will be accessed via Donkey Mill Rd., and we will drive to the Forest Gate, hike uphill to the Ho’olohe Gate and return on the same road. The hike will be about 4.5 miles total with an elevation change of about 1,400’. The surface is a relatively good four wheel drive road.

We will be escorted by a Kamehameha Schools representative who is extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of Hualalai Mtn. and the Hawaiian culture, so this will be an educational hike as well as a truly enjoyable one.

This hike will be strictly limited to five 4WD vehicles and a total of 30 people, of which at least three will be Kamehameha Schools representatives. As a result, advance reservations for this hike are required. Hikers who can provide a large 4WD vehicle able to carry at least six people will be given preference.

Hikers should meet in the parking lot makai of Long’s Drug Store in the Keauhou Shopping Center at the intersection of Ali’i Dr. and Kamehameha III Rd. at 8 am.

From there we will carpool up Donkey Mill Rd. to the Forest Gate. While there is no charge for carpooling, anyone doing so is encouraged to chip in for gasoline.

The weather on the mountain is somewhat unpredictable, so be prepared for rain, although sunny weather is possible as well. Hikers should wear closed toed shoes, carry a hiking stick, bring at least two liters of water, snacks, and sunscreen.

Visitors as well as residents are welcome to participate, and members are welcome to being guests. There is no charge, but guests should be provided with a copy of this announcement or referred to the website to review the announcement and description. We wish to make sure everyone is prepared for the specific hike we are doing that day. Mahalo for helping us keep everyone safe.

To make a reservation or for additional information, contact Alice Walker at 322-6481.

The Kona Hiking Club will hike down the Captain Cook Monument Road to the Old Government Road and head north, ending the hike at the end of Ali’i Highway near the Kuamo’o Battle Warriors Burial Ground on Saturday, July 19. This will be a one-way hike of approximately seven miles across mostly lava rock and dirt trails with shade only for a short distance at the beginning of the hike and the last mile or so. The first section is a steep downhill, but the remainder is relatively level. It will be necessary to limit the number of participants on this hike to 35 people, so please contact the hike leader listed below if you plan to attend.

The weather will most likely be warm with overcast skies due to the volcanic activity in the Puna area. Each hiker should carry 2 quarts of water, wear closed-toed shoes and sunscreen, and bring a snack or lunch. A hiking stick, and hat are also recommended.

We will meet at 7:45 a.m. at the trailhead located 1/10th of a mile south of Mamalahoa Highway on Napo’opo’o Road. Since parking there is extremely limited, it is recommended that everyone carpool who possibly can. If driving yourself, please take extreme care in parking and walking to the trailhead as Napo’opo’o Road is quite narrow and heavily traveled.

There will be two carpool locations for participants wishing to do so. Carpoolers may meet at the end of Ali’i Highway (Ali’i Drive continuation) at 6:45 a.m. to depart by 7:00 a.m. Another group will meet in the Kealakekua Ranch Center upper parking lot near Ace Hardware at 7:15 a.m. and depart by 7:30 a.m. Participants parking at the Ranch Center and the trailhead will be shuttled back to their vehicles, and volunteer drivers are requested to assist with the shuttling. A hike leader will be present at Ali’i Highway but may not be at the Shopping Center so please organize yourselves for the carpool there. While there is no charge for carpooling, participants are encouraged to contribute toward gasoline costs.

Visitors as well as residents are welcome to participate – there is no charge. 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. 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 altitudes, exceptionally long distances, etc. Mahalo for helping us keep everyone safe!

The Kona Hiking Club will take a shoreline hike to Mano Point on Saturday, April 19. The hike will be approximately 8 miles in length, over rough, dry, barren lava.

Hikers should expect hot conditions and bring at least 2 liters of water per person, along with sun protection and lunch. Sturdy boots, a hat, and hiking stick are recommended. No childlren or pets will be allowed.

Visitors as well as residents are welcome to participate, and there is no charge. Participants should meet at 8:15 a.m. at “Loretta Lynn’s house” (south of Kiholo Bay). Driving north from Kailua on Queen Ka’ahumanu Hwy, turn left (makai) on gravel road between mile markers 82 and 83 (before the scenic iew turnout). Follow the gravel road towards the ocean, eventually turning left a short distance — look for a raised round house with parking area on right.

Those desiring to carpool from Kailua-Kona may meet at Lanihau Center, in the vicinity of Buns in the Sun, away from businesses. Carpoolers should meet at 7:15 a.m., organize themselves, and depart no later than 7:30 a.m. Carpoolers are encouraged to contribut toward gasoline costs. For more information, call Joan at 327-1529.

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!