On Saturday, June 15, 2013 the Kona Hiking Club will visit the Kahuku Unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

“Palm Trail Hike” is an easy 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.

An additional Forested Pit Crater Loop hike about 2.5 mi. in length will be offered if enough 4WD or AWD vehicles are available. The trail follows grassy (sometimes deep) pastureland roads lined some native plants with a gradual 400’ elevation increase. A 4WD is recommended for driving the 6 mile road from the main gate to the trailhead although AWD does very well as well as higher clearance cars with good tires.The highlight of the Forested Pit Crater Loop hike is the very deep pit crater that is home to the Amakihi and Apapane native birds.

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

http://www.bigislandguru.com/hvnp-section-7-kahuka-unit.html

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

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 will meet at 7:30 a.m. at Keauhou Shopping Center in Keauhou across from Long’s and depart no later than 7:45 a.m. Please park well away from the businesses. Visitors as well as residents are welcome to participate — there is no charge. Carpoolers are encouraged to contribute toward gasoline costs. For additional 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 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!

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, May 18. This is a moderately challenging 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. A DLNR representative for the area will be on hand to speak with our group regarding the area and the native outplantings.

This hike is limited to 25 hikers due to the educational permit restrictions. Hikers must RSVP.

The uphill section of the trail we are hiking is approximately 2.5 miles long and climbs 1,100 feet to the summit at 3,967 ft. for a total hike of 5 miles with a steep incline and decline. Included in this is an additional guided educational loop tour trail at the top of the pu`u. For those hikers that have tried this hike before but just couldn’t do the last steep uphill, we have arranged a 4WD option to the top. Or as it may be needed for those with knee challenges back down from the top.

Watch the website for more information prior to the hike.

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, in the vicinity of Buns in the Sun and should park well away from the businesses. For carpooling , please phone Alice 322-6481 or 938-1491. 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 and park near the Hiker Check Station allowing space for additional vehicles.

If you have any questions and to RSVP, 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!