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, August 15. 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 Baskin Robbins and should park well away from the businesses. 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.

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!

On Saturday, July 18, 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!

On Saturday, June 20, the Kona Hiking Club will hike the Kipukapuaulu (Bird Park) and Tree Molds area. Hike change is due closed vehicle access to the Red Hill Trailhead. As we will be passing through some old native forest, we may see native forest birds. We will see native plants.

https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/hike_day_kipukapuaulu.htm

We will have a plant interpreter on this hike.

We will meet at 9:00 a.m. at Kipukapuaulu (Bird Park) at the trailhead, located 1.5 miles up Mauna Loa Road, just past the tree molds. Mauna Loa Road is on the mauka side of highway 11, between mile markers 30 and 31. Park in the loop away from the trailhead.

From this point we will hike a loop through Kipukapuaulu and Tree Milds which is about 3 miles. This is a relatively easy hike. Anyone that wants more exercise can hike up the Mauna Loa Road.

Temperatures at higher elevations can vary and be unpredictable. Hikers should be prepared for hot or cool weather and/or rain – layering clothes is advisable. Sturdy boots, a hat, rain jacket and hiking stick are recommended as well as sunscreen and sunglasses, as most of hike is exposed above the tree line. Two liters of drinking water plus a lunch is recommended. Binoculars for possible bird viewing are optional.

Visitors as well as residents are welcome to participate, and there is no charge. Kailua-area carpoolers should meet at 6:30 a.m. and leave by 6:45 a.m. from Lanihau Center. Please park well away from the businesses, in the corner of the parking lot near Baskin Robbins. Hike leaders will not be present at the Lanihau location. Carpoolers are encouraged to chip-in for gasoline. For RSVP andadditional information, please phone Kathleen at 557-9246 or email konahikingclub@gmail.com

Kona Hiking Club will hike from Ho’okena Beach to Pu’uhonua o Honaunau on Saturday, May 16. This will be a moderate, roundtrip 8 mi. hike on a portion of the Ala Kahakai Trail recently cleared by a group of volunteers from the areas. We will be passing through the ruins of historic Ki’ilae Village.

This will be a coastline (although not necessarily shoreline) hike, and hot weather should be anticipated with few 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. Bring swim gear if you want to jump in the water at Ho`okena.

Hikers should meet at 8:00 am at the outside of Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park parking lot area. We will begin the hike to Ho`okena from there.

Participants desiring to carpool from Kailua-Kona may meet at 7:00 a.m. at Lanihau Center, in the vicinity of Baskin Robbins, but on south side well away from the businesses. A KHC leader/representative will not be present. Be prepared to offer your own car for carpool if necessary. Carpoolers are encouraged to chip-in for gasoline. For carpool/hike info/RSVP contact Kathleen @ 557-9246.
or konahikingclub@gmail.com

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.

Since the park trails are closed we will do an alternate hike on state land for a small group of health conscious hikers. For details, RSVP to Kathleen at 557-9246 or konahikingclub@gmail.com *************************

On Saturday, April 18, 2020, the Kona Hiking Club will hike the Kilauea Iki Trail. We have not done this as a group hike in a very long time. The hike is a 4 mile loop. Moderate to challenging – Steep and rocky, descent & ascent 400 feet. Plan for approximately 2 to 3 hours.

We will be walking through a rain forest, viewing native birds, walking on the 1959 lava lake, viewing steam vents, cinder cones and spatter cones.
Hikers need to be prepared for potentially hot, sunny weather. However, rain or overcast is always possible in the area. Wear closed-toed shoes, bring hiking sticks, sun protection, lunch or snacks and at least two liters of water per person.

Trail begins: At the Kīlauea Iki parking lot on Crater Rim Drive
However, we will meet at 9:00 AM at the parking area on the right as you enter into the visitor center parking. Due to the limited parking at the trailhead lot we will carpool. Be prepared to either be a driver or a passenger. Visitors as well as residents are welcome to participate — there is no charge..

For additional information, please phone Kathleen at 557-9246.
RSVP to 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!