Hawaii Forest & Trail - Endangered Native Habitats Adventure
This tour takes you from one natural extreme to the other, in the comfort of a four-wheel drive vehicle. You'll start out in the cool, dry sub-alpine forests of Mauna Kea volcano, then make your way down slope until you reach the moisture-drenched Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park and its ancient fishpond. Along the way you're likely to encounter a variety of rare and endangered bird species, including the Nene (the state bird) and the Palila, a lovely honeycreeper with a golden-yellow head. In addition, you'll see a myriad of other species, from native varieties to exotic passerines, migrants, vagrants, and game birds. It's a bird-lovers paradise!
Come along as we explore two rare habitats: the cloudmist kipuka rainforest on Mauna Loa and the sub-alpine dry forest of Puu Laau on Mauna Kea.
Tour Highlights:
- Fascinating birdwatching adventure
- See two of opposing environments: a cloudmist rainforest and a sub-alpine dryforest
- Great photo opportunities
Menu:
- breakfast of fresh island fruit
- banana breads and pound cakes
- Pure Kona coffee
- Teas
- Hot chocolate
- Juices
- Lunch of deli-style sandwich, chips, chocolate-macadamia nut cookie, sodas and juices
Location:
Tour Inclusions:
- Continental breakfast with baked goods, fresh local fruits, 100% Kona coffee, tea and hot chocolate
- Deli-style lunch with assorted soft drinks, juices and bottled water
- Walking sticks, binoculars, day packs, warm wear and rain ponchos
Big Island Forests
Hawaii Birdwatching
Island Flora
Palila Bird
Tour Map
- Where and When:
- Tour departs at 6:30 am and returns at approx. 4:00 pm.
Departs from Hawaii Forest & Trail Headquarters, 73-5593A Olowalu St., Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 View Map
- Requirements:
- All Guest Must:
- Provide Proof of a negative COVID-19 test through the Hawaii Safe Travel Program or proof of 14 day quarantine (airline generated flight itinerary). Test results must be presented upon check-in.
- Complete a Health Questionnaire and temperature check with contactless infrared thermometer completed prior to participation.
- Wear a face mask at all times in the vehicle and wherever social distancing is not possible.
Please bring your own water bottle for use on tour. Water bottles are available for purchase at Hawaii Forest and Trail and a jug will be available for refills.
- Restrictions:
- Participants must be at least 8 years old.
Participants must be able to hike on uneven or rocky terrain.
We sometimes encounter cool, wet, or muddy conditions.
This is a moderate to strenuous hike.
- Special Notes:
- Operation Days:
- Thursdays
- Duration:
- 11-12 hours round-trip from Headquarters
- Vendor:
- Hawaii Forest and Trail
- Island:
- Big Island
- Capacity:
- 12
- Equipment:
- Walking sticks, binoculars, day packs, warm wear and rain ponchos are provided.