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.

On Saturday, December 21, 2024, the Kona Hiking Club will hike the Ala Kahakai Trail from the Keaweiki Bay area to Anaeho’omalu Bay along the shoreline. We will be walking on bare lava and some rough lava foot trails. There will be no shade along this ~ four mile hike. It will take about four and one half hours. The route includes some ancient ruins as well as two anchialine ponds. It has been some time since the group has hiked this route, so it may be something new and different for many folks. The hike will end at Anaeho’omalu Bay where we can lunch and also swim if desired.

All hikers should be prepared for sunny weather although clouds and rain may also be anticipated at times along the coast. Bring at least two liters of water per person, wear closed-toe shoes or hiking boots, sun protection and a snack or lunch. A hiking stick is preferable.

We will meet in the parking lot at Anaeho’omalu Bay Beach Park at 8:30 am in the southeast corner and carpool to the hike start from there. Those wishing to carpool should meet at Lanihau Center in Kailua-Kona at 7:30 am to depart by 7:45 am. There will not be a hike leader there so be prepared to organize your own carpool. While there is no charge for carpooling, participants should contribute toward the cost of gasoline.

For RSVP and further information, contact Kathleen at 808-557-9246 or konahikingclub@gmail.com

PLEASE NOTE: All members are welcome to bring guests or pass on this information about our hikes to other people who may be interested in joining us. If you do so, please 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, which may include conditions such as 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 Manuka State Park on Saturday, November 16. The park is 32 miles south of Kona between the 81 and 82 mile markers. The Manuka Natural Area Reserve covers 25,000 acres on the southwestern slope of Mauna Loa.

The name Manuka means “blundering” in the Hawaiian Language and was the name of the ancient land division ahupua`a that ran from a bay on the southwest side of the island up the slopes of the Mauna Loa volcano. The arboretum of 8 acres was originally planted in the mid 1800s with native and introduced plants. It now contains 48 species of native Hawaiian plants and more than 130 species of other exotic plants and flowers, and is surrounded by the 25,000-acre Manuka Forest Reserve.

A 2 mile Nature Trail loop will be the regular hike, with the more adventuresome hikers going an additional 3 mile loop exploring to find several large pit craters. The hikers going on the longer hike should carry extra water. This can be a strenuous hike due to the altitude and humidity and uneven footing. Good hiking shoes are required as the trails are very rocky in several places. Although it’s been dry lately, be prepared for rain and mosquitoes. There is ample shade with some open sunny areas. Participants must carry at least two liters of water per person. Closed-toed shoes, sun protection, lunch or snack, and hiking sticks are also recommended.

Visitors as well as residents are invited to participate in this hike. There is no charge, although carpoolers are encouraged to chip-in for gasoline. Carpoolers will meet at 7:45 a.m. and leave at 8:00 a.m. from Lanihau Center. There will not be a hike leader present, so prepare to organize carpooling with fellow hikers.  Please park well away from the businesses, in the corner of the parking lot near Swirl Tea. Others may meet at Manuka State Park at 9:20 a.m.

For more information, please 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 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!

The Kona Hiking Club will hike to Kiholo Bay on Saturday, October 19, 2024.
We will begin by hiking a 4WD road along the ocean following the coast north with an opportunity to swim in its beautiful lagoon and have our lunch/snack break. From there we will go back south along the coastline stopping at the Queen’s Bath to see this special feature. After our break those who want to continue on south will enjoy the views of some beautiful black sand beaches. We will then return to our cars. Those who wish to stay and hang out are welcome to plan to do so. The hike will be approximately 4 miles in length (round trip) over some sometimes rough, but moderate terrain.

Hikers will meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Loretta Lynn (round) house at Kiholo Bay. To get there take the unpaved public access road which is just south of the Scenic Overlook on the makai side between the 82mm & 83mm on Queen Ka’ahumanu highway. As you get closer to the ocean, the road to the left will take you to the round house. From here we will hike north along Kiholo Bay past the Kiholo fishponds to the lagoon. For more information, follow this link: http://www.letsgohawaii.com/beaches/kiholobay.html

Hikers should be prepared for very hot conditions. Each person must carry at least 2 liters of water. Also recommended are sturdy boots, sun protection, lunch, and a hiking stick. For those wishing to swim don’t forget your swim gear, towel, snorkel, reef shoes, etc.

Visitors as well as residents are invited to participate in this outing. There is no charge, although carpoolers are encouraged to chip-in for gasoline. Participants desiring to carpool from Kailua-Kona may meet at 8:15 a.m. at the southeast side of Lanihau Shopping Center near Swirl Tea. Park well away from the businesses. Carpoolers will organize themselves here and should depart no later than 8:30 a.m. It’s possible that one hike leader will be at the carpool location upon request. For more information/RSVP, call 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!

Saturday, September 21, 2024, the Kona Hiking Club will hike through Honuaula Forest Reserve Makaula O’oma Tract, a beautiful upland rainforest on Hualalai Mountain in Kaloko. The region is accessed via Kaloko Drive.

The hike will be about 4 miles total with an elevation change of about 750’. The surface is relatively good with some loose rocks and tree roots. The hike starts at Makahi Street, goes through Honuaula Forest Reserve and returns via “Jurassic Park Trail” to Makahi Street. This forest area does look much like something from the Jurassic times with its various ferns and other native vegetation. The occasional forest clouds rolling through and the singing birds make this a very special place.

Much restoration work has been done in this mesic forest by Tree Hawaii, Bike Works and volunteers to plant native trees and remove invasive species.

Hikers should meet at 8:00 am at the Makahi Street Trailhead off Kaloko Dr. Although, there is a sizeable parking area, carpooling is recommended due to the eroded road shoulders. Carpoolers can meet at the small parking lot mauka of the Costco gas station. While there is no charge for carpooling, anyone doing so is encouraged to chip in for gasoline. A hike leader will be at this location by request only. Be prepared to organize and leave by 7:30 am.

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 hiking sticks and bring at least two liters of water, snacks, and sunscreen.

For additional information, 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!