Kona Hiking Club will hike from Ke`ei Beach to Pu’uhonua o Honaunau on Saturday, March 15. This will be a relatively easy, one-way, 3.7 mi. hike on a portion of the Ala Kahakai Trail recently cleared by a few concerned citizen volunteers from the  area. First 0.7 mile from Ke’ei is along an old gated off 4wd road (1871 road). Next 1.5 miles along beach is possibly the most scenic section of trail in Hawaii.  Next half mile is the old 1871 road while final half mile leaves the beach and joins the road just north of Pu’uhonua o Honaunau (2 Step).

This will be a coastline (although not necessarily shoreline) hike, and warm weather should be anticipated with some shaded areas. The hiking surface will be wide and relatively smooth dirt and rock. There are no significant climbs.

Each hiker should carry a minimum of 2 liters of water, wear a hat and hiking boots or closed-toe shoes, carry a hiking stick, use plenty of sunscreen, and bring any snacks or food you may desire.  Consider bringing a lunch to either eat at Pu’uhonua o Honaunau.

Hikers should meet at 8:00 am at the Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park parking lot and from there we will organize the carpool/shuttle drivers for staging at Ke`ei Beach. Please keep in mind that admission to the Park will be charged unless the driver or a passenger of the vehicle has a park pass.

Anyone wishing to carpool may meet at the Lanihau Shopping Center in the vicinity of Swirl Tea or other convenient location at 7:00 am and depart by 7:15 am. Please park well away from the businesses. Carpoolers are encouraged to contribute toward the cost of gasoline.  A hike leader will not be present at the carpool location but can ask if other hikers in your area are interested in carpooling.  Be prepared to organize your own carpool, if necessary.

Visitors and guests are invited and anyone choosing to attend should be provided with a copy of this hike description so they will know what to expect and be properly prepared. They should also be referred to this website (www.konahikingclub.com) for complete safety information.

If you have any questions and for RSVP, please call Kathleen at 557-9246 or RSVP to konahikingclub@gmail.com

On Saturday, February 15, 2025, the Kona Hiking Club will visit the Captain Cook Monument at Kealakekua Bay. RSVP now, hike may be limited to 9! The hike is about 4 mi. roundtrip in length with an additional 1-1/2 mi. oceanfront hike across raw pahoehoe lava for those who desire so.

The trail drops approximately 1,300′ from the trail head to the bay, so the return hike is obviously a long (hot) climb. For the primary portion of the hike, we will be on a jeep road which is part dirt and part small lava chunks.
The hike destination will be the monument and, although the shoreline is rocky, there is access to the bay for swimming and snorkeling. Hikers need to be prepared for potentially hot, sunny weather, especially on the strenuous return uphill climb; however, rain or overcast is always possible in the Capt. Cook area. Wear closed-toed shoes, bring hiking sticks, sun protection, lunch or snack, swim/snorkel gear, and at least two liters of water per person.

We will meet at 7:30 AM at the trailhead located 1/10th of a mi. south of Mamalahoa Hwy. on Napoopoo Rd. 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 Napoopoo Rd. is quite narrow and heavily traveled.

BY REQUEST ONLY, a hike leader can be present at the Kealakekua Ranch Center carpool location (This meeting location may change). If requested, we will meet in the Kealakekua Ranch Center upper parking lot (near Ace Hardware) at 7:00 a.m. and depart by 7:15 a.m. Contact Kathleen at #808-557-9246. The Center is located on Mamalahoa Hwy. at the intersection of Kiloa Rd. between the 110 and 109 mile markers. Be prepared to either be a driver or a passenger. Visitors as well as residents are welcome to participate — there is no charge. Donations for the club expenses are always welcomed.