Starpoints:

• Convenient pickup and return to the Waikoloa Kings Shops or our Kona Headquarters included.
• Embark on an 11-hour adventure, which showcases rare native species and habitats.
• With exclusive access and permits, we are able to visit private wildlife trails!
• Daypacks, bottled water, binoculars, walking sticks, warm wear and raingear are all included!
• Dine on Kona coffee, Tazo teas, fresh fruit and pound cake for breakfast (included)!
• This expert trek provides outstanding opportunities to spot rare Hawaiian birds!
• Check out the cloud mist forest of the Pu'u O'o Ranch!
• Visit the sub-alpine dryforest of the Pu'u La'au area - habitat of the endangered Palila!
• Enjoy a fresh, deli picnic lunch along the trail (included)!
• Tours are limited to a maximum of 10 guests for a more personal, interactive experience!

Description

Meet our friendly & knowledgeable tour guide at our headquarters in Kona or at the Waikoloa King's Shops for an amazing adventure. Let us take you two very different environments: Pu'u La'au and the Pu'u O'o Trail!

At Pu'u La'au, we roam the sub-alpine dryland forest on the west side of Mauna Kea, home of the endangered palila and the bryani sub-species of elepaio.

Our other locale is the Pu'u O'o Trail in a cloudforest habitat on the northeastern slope of Mauna Loa. There, we'll look for endangered Hawaiian birds, including akiapola'au, oma'o (Hawaiian thrush), i'iwi and apepane, among other endemics.

On the drive to our two primary locales, we head north along the coastline before starting the climb upslope to the old Mamalahoa Highway, keeping an eye out for open country birds.

From there, we'll connect to the Saddle Road and begin car-birding, primarily for game birds and the Pueo, or short-eared owl. Depending on the weather, we'll stop for a bit of breakfast somewhere along this stretch of road, often Mauna Kea State Park at Pohakuloa.

The Pu'u O'o Trail is a historic cattle drive route located at the 6,000-foot level of Saddle Road on Mauna Loa's northeastern flank. This is the windward side of the island and is often cloaked in misty clouds.

Listen to the enchanting music of forest birds as we make our way over three to four miles of sometimes rough lava trail, crossing over the 1855 and 1881 lava flows. Up in the ohia and koa forest canopy, i'iwi, apapane, amakihi, omao, elepaio and the elusive akiapolaau, with its unique multipurpose beak, are some of the avifauna we hope to spot along the way.

At the Humu'ula Hunter check-in station just off Saddle Road, we go into the Kaohe Game Management Area and four-wheel it to an elevation of nearly 7,000 feet on the western side of Mauna Kea.

The track leads to a locked gate that is the entrance to the Mauna Kea Forest Preserve. From there, we leave the van behind and take in the spectacular views. Then, we get down to some serious bird watching on foot in the mamane-naio forest.

Although the terrain is somewhat uneven, the hiking is easy here. We are particularly interested in sighting the critically threatened palila, which feeds almost entirely on the green pods of the mamane tree.

There are two other endemics of note to be found here - the Hawaii amakihi, and the local species of the Hawaii elepaio (noted for the white feathering on their heads).

After this unique adventure, we'll return you to the Waikoloa King's Shops and our HQ in Kona.

Restrictions: Guests should be able to hike on uneven or rocky terrain. We may encounter cool, wet or muddy conditions. Children 7 years old & under not allowed on this tour.

• Turkey
• Ham
• Tuna
• Veggie (lettuce, tomato, carrot, cucumber and zucchini)
• Roast Beef