June 5, 2026

Posts Comments

You are here: Home / Archives for Homepage

Ha`ao Springs-Kau Forest Reserve, June 20, 2026-RSVP Required by June 18

May 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment

On Saturday, June 20, we will visit Ha`ao Springs in Waiohinu.  This will be about a 7+ mile hike.  Our hike will take us to a spring with a view overlooking Waiohinu “Shining Waters”.  We will start in a forested area near 68mm and hike about 3 miles on a forested 4WD road where we will connect with a paved road to the spring.  The top of this road is one of the few places on the island from which you can see both sunrise and sunset on a clear day with scenic views of the entire Ka Lae (South Point) area. At the springs we will stop for lunch/snacks, then return back the way we came to our cars. I need everyone to RSVP if planning to join us.

We will meet at the Kiolakaa Ranger Station on Kiolakaa Rd. at 8:00 a.m.  Please call for directions.

The weather is typically comfortable with shade in the forest, but warmer and muggy with very little shade on the downhill partially paved road. Hikers should wear closed toed shoes, carry hiking sticks and bring at least two liters of water, snacks, and sunscreen.  Also, consider bringing a pair of binoculars.

For additional information and RSVP, contact Kathleen Johnson at 557-9246. or email: 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!

Filed Under: Hiking Requirements, Homepage, Kona Club Hikes 2025-2030, Next Hike

Palm Trail Loop at Kahuku unit of HVNP-May 16, 2026- RSVP by May 14

May 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment

On Saturday, May 16, 2026 the Kona Hiking Club will visit the Kahuku Unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

“Palm Trail Hike” is an moderate 2.6 mile, loop traversing scenic pasture along an ancient cinder cone, with highlights that include relics of the ranching era, sections of remnant native forest and fascinating volcanic features from the 1868 eruptive fissures. We may have a ranger guide along for interpretation.

An additional hike may available offered.

Here are some links to help you with your enjoyment of this newer unit of HVNP:

http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/upload/Kahuku-Forest-Trail-Guide.pdf

https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku-hikes.htm

We will have our lunch/snack break at along the trail. Hikers need to be prepared for potentially warm, sunny weather and/or rainy weather. Wear closed-toed shoes, bring hiking sticks, binoculars, sun protection, lunch or snack and at least two liters of water per person.

We will meet at 9:00 AM at the Kahuku gate at Kahuku Rd (mauka) located between 71mm & 70mm and park near the restroom. There Palm Trailhead is accessible by 2WD vehicles.

Those wishing to carpool from Kailua-Kona should depart no later than 7:45 a.m. Visitors as well as residents are welcome to participate — there is no charge. Carpoolers are encouraged to contribute toward gasoline costs. For additional information/RSVP, please phone Kathleen at 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 http://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!
Filed Under: Homepage, Kona Club Hikes 2025-2030, Next Hike

Pu’u Wa’awa’a-July 18, 2026-RSVP by July 16

April 15, 2026 by Leave a Comment

The Kona Hiking Club will hike to the top of the Pu’u Wa’awa’a (many-furrowed hill) cinder cone located on state Department of Land and Natural Resources property, on Saturday, July 18. This is a challenging uphill hike.

From the summit on a clear day, a visitor may view a panorama of the ocean and five mountains.

Informational markers are placed at points of interest along the trail, and a corresponding brochure may be provided.

The trail is approximately 3.25 miles long and climbs 1,100 feet to the summit at 3,967 ft. for a total hike of 6.5 miles with a steep incline and decline.

Here is the link for the trails we will be hiking.http://www.puuwaawaa.org/files/Ohiacone.pdf

The area is generally temperate at that elevation and has little shade, however, weather can vary and hikers should be prepared for rain as well as sun, carry at least two liters of water per person, wear closed-toed shoes, sun protection, and bring a snack or lunch. Hiking sticks are recommended as well.

Carpoolers will leave at 7:45 a.m. from the Lanihau Center in Kailua-Kona, near Swirl Tea and should park well away from the businesses. No hike leader will be present. Others may meet at 8:30 a.m. at the trailhead. The main gate is between the 21- and 22-mile markers on the mauka side of Mamalahoa Highway. After entering the main gate take the road to the left, stop at the kiosk on the left and sign the park register and then continue on the road and park near the Hunter Check Station on the right allowing space for additional vehicles.

To RSVP or if you have any questions, please phone Kathleen at 557-9246 or email: 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!

Filed Under: Homepage, Next Hike, Uncategorized

Captain Cook Monument at Kealakekua Bay-February 21, 2026- RSVP Required by Feb 19

February 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment

On Saturday, February 21, 2026, 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.

Filed Under: Homepage

Kona Hiking Club’s BITV (Big Island TV) Debut-dblclick photo+link to view

March 18, 2014 by Leave a Comment

From Big Island TV interview and on site filming on March 15, 2014 hike at Kohana`iki.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bzx18C5ZWvK0dmN6MFQzOG9lRTlhRjJ2Tjh6bFExUUU1R0ZZ/edit?usp=sharing

Filed Under: Homepage