On Saturday, December 19, 2015, the Kona Hiking Club will visit the Kohana`iki Beach Park and hike on historic trails in the vicinity.

This loop hike is about 5 miles total.  The route is mostly flat, with a few very short but rough ascents and descents.  Approximately half of it will be across a lava field on the Ala Mamalahoa (also referred to as Ala Loa, Ala Nui, or “King’s Trail”).  The trail is “improved”, but still consists entirely of uneven rock underfoot, and there is no shade.

The route then takes us briefly into the northern portion of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park on the Ala Nui Kaloko and the Ala Hele Po’e Kahiko, after which we will continue along the shoreline on the Ala Kahakai.  There will be some shade along the shoreline.  The walking surface there is mostly sand, with some paved portions.

Hikers need to be prepared for potentially hot, sunny weather, especially when we are traversing the Ala Mamalahoa. Wind, rain or overcast are also possible, but it is not likely to be cold.  Wear closed-toed shoes, bring sun protection, lunch or snack, and at least two liters of water per person.  Hiking sticks are highly recommended.

We will meet at 7:00 a.m. in the first public parking area at Kohana`iki Beach Park.  The road to Kohana`iki is on the makai side of Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway between Hulikoa Drive and NEHLA (OTEC).  Kohana`iki Drive is marked with white pylons on the makai side of the highway, and yellow pylons in the center of the highway.  If you are coming from town, you will need to go past it and turn around legally at NEHLA.

Follow Kohana’iki Drive (beach park public access road) about 1.2 miles out to the ocean.   As soon as you get to the water, there is a small guard shack on the left, and a public parking lot on the right.  This is our meeting point.

Participants desiring to carpool from Kailua-Kona may meet at 6:15 a.m. at Lanihau Center, and should depart no later than 6:30 a.m.  Please park well away from the businesses in the corner of the parking lot near Buns in the Sun. A hike leader will not be present, so be prepared to organize your own carpool, if necessary.  Visitors as well as residents are welcome to participate — there is no charge.  However, carpoolers are encouraged to contribute toward gasoline costs.

An informative brochure about the plants, animals, historical, and cultural aspects of this area is available at: http://www.kohanaiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/KohanaikiNatureGuide.pdf

For further information, 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 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 altitude, exceptionally long distances, etc. Mahalo for helping us keep everyone safe!

The Kona Hiking Club will visit the South Point area of Ka Lae on Saturday, September 19. The hike will be about 3 miles round trip, over mostly level terrain. Come learn some history of Ka`u and view Lua O Palahemu said of it that “If you haven’t seen Lua O Palahemu you haven’t seen Ka`u.”

Visitors as well as residents are invited to participate. There is no charge, although carpoolers are encouraged to chip-in for gasoline. No pets are allowed.

The area is often hot and windy, and there is no shade along this trail. 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. If ocean conditions permit, for those adventurous cliff divers, diving may be possible at the lunch stop.

Carpoolers may meet at 7:15 a.m. at Keauhou Shopping Center, in the vicinity of Long’s Drugs. Please park well away from the businesses makai of Long’s Drugs. A second meeting point will be at Manuka State Park at 8:30 a.m which is located one hour south of Kailua-Kona, on the mauka side of the highway between the 81 and 82 mile markers.  From Manuka it takes about 30 minutes to reach the parking area near the South Point Cliff Diving area.  There will not be a hiker leader at either of these locations. Be prepared to organize you own carpool and arrive by 9:00 a.m.

For more 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!

On Saturday, March 21, the Kona Hiking Club will hike from Kua Bay/Manini`owali Beach and follow the coast and jeep trails south. On the way we will hike to the top of Pu`u Kuili cinder cone (342 ft) and then on to the beautiful white sand Makalawena Beach. The hike will be approximately 4+ miles in length (round trip) over some rough, but moderate elevation terrain.

Hikers will meet at 9:00 a.m. (gate opens at 9:00) at the Kua Bay parking lot. The road to Kua Bay is between the 89 & 88 mile markers across from the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. Please park at the far end of the parking lot away from the restrooms.

Hikers should be prepared for rough terrain with potentially very hot conditions with little or no shade. Each person must carry at least 2 liters of water. Also recommended are sturdy boots, sun protection, lunch, swim gear, binoculars (whale season!) and hiking sticks.

Anyone wishing to carpool may meet at the Lanihau Shopping Center in the vicinity of Buns in the Sun at 8:15 am and depart by 8:30 am. Please park well away from the businesses. A hike leader will only be present upon request. Carpoolers are encouraged to contribute toward the cost of gasoline.

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 the Club’s website (www.konahikingclub.com) for complete safety information.

If you have any questions, please call Kathleen at 557-9246.

PLEASE NOTE: All members are always 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!

If you missed last month’s volunteer opportunity here is your chance to help with this

new mauka-makai trail in the 55-acre dry land forest preserve at Palamanui Campus.

This trail is not yet open to the general public.  Come volunteer and be one of the first people to walk this historic trail of the Hawaiians. This is a great alternative for those of you that can’t or don’t want to hike this month’s hike at Captain Cook Monument.  If you choose to volunteer please tell Dr. Stevens that you are representing the Kona Hiking Club and if you have Kona Hiking Club t-shirt please wear it.

What does Pālamanui mean?
In Hawaiian, Pālamanui is an enclosure of abundant education and this inspired the design philosophy behind the master-planned community.