Photo: Ray Simpson Day Hikes and Creature Comforts, Big Island Style, Hawaii Highlights:
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Trip Number: 08044A Price: $1,495 Deposit: $200 Capacity: 10 Leader:
The Trip  Photo: Brian Mokler We will see sights very few Big Island visitors ever get to experience on this hotel-based hiking trip. Some hikes along the coast will follow ancient trails paved with stepping stones carried from the ocean by the old Hawaiians to ease their ti-leaf sandaled feet over jagged lava flows. These hikes may well include stops at white sand beaches, where we will enjoy excellent swimming. We expect to see native plants and possibly green sea turtles. We’ll also hike in rain forests and through lava craters, and monitor “creeping developments” endangering the open land of this idyllic island. As appropriate for our conservation minded Sierra Club Outing, we may be able to contribute a half-day of service in our itinerary.
On our first day, we will pick you up from the Kona airport, and take you to our first hotel, where we will stay for three nights. After settling into our rooms, we will meet for a welcome-dinner, which is included in the trip price. The next two days will be spent hiking in the Kona area. On the fourth day of the trip, we will drive the "northern route" to Hilo, stopping for a walk in a taro-growing valley. Staying in Hilo for two nights, we’ll have our choice of eating out, or eating in, as our comfortable accommodations feature fully furnished kitchens.  Photo: Stan Johnsen Our breakfasts here will also include fresh Hawaiian fruits grown on the premises. One day will feature a hike in the Hilo area. Moving to Volcano National Park on the sixth day of the trip, we will have time for a walk in the park as well as time to enjoy the visitor center and art gallery. The views from the rim of the Kilauea crater change from dawn to dusk. After a night here, we will move back to Kona for our last night, stopping for a hike along the way and finishing with a farewell dinner (included). Getting There  Photo: Brian Mokler Flights from the mainland to Kona are frequent. Plan to arrive in Kona by mid-afternoon on day one of the trip. The trip is over after breakfast on the last day. Mid-morning flights to the mainland are usually available. If you are coming from the East Coast, you may want to consider breaking this flight into two segments, stopping on the West Coast on your way to Hawaii. Flight delays can interrupt an on-time arrival in Kona.
 Photo: Stan Johnsen Participants will share comfortable, modern accommodations in three unique Big Island hotels. Two people will share each room, all of which have private baths. Distant views of the Pacific and neighboring islands greet us in Kona; our Volcano National Park accommodations look over Kilauea crater; our Hilo hotel borders a rainforest area, where birds of many varieties can be observed. Come prepared to enjoy great Island eats! Breakfasts and lunches are provided in the trip cost as well as our first and last dinners. For our dinners out, the leaders will suggest a wide variety of possible choices.
 Photo: Ray Simpson This trip is appropriate to people who enjoy hiking and do so on a regular basis. We will be walking over uneven surfaces. Boots with ankle support are required. Daily mileages will range from 4 to 8 miles, and our pace will be leisurely. It is important to remember that the tropics add a dimension of heat and humidity that is not often found in mainland hiking. It is important to carry adequate water each day. The importance of a regular exercise regime before considering this trip cannot be over emphasized.
Hawaii is a casual destination. Expect to wear shorts and t-shirts much of the time. Lug soled boots (well-broken in), raingear, a daypack, two-liter water bottles, sunblock, a hat, long sleeved shirt, and bathing suit are the basics. A more complete clothing and equipment list will be sent to approved trip participants.
• Beckwith, Martha, Hawaiian Mytholgy • MacDonald, Gordon, Volcanoes in the Sea • Zurick, David, Hawai'i Naturally Conservation  Photo: Stan Johnsen Several issues concerning conservation and environmental policies and practices directly affect the preservation of the Islands, and we will discuss them during our outing. Water rights have long been a controversial subject. Large amounts of water have been diverted from taro production to the cultivation of sugar and pineapple. Water pollution and pesticide control continue to be problematic. Many island residents are concerned about the sustainability of increasing tourism. Coastal access, a traditional Hawaiian right, is being constantly challenged as development continues. We will each have an opportunity to share and compare environmental actions in our local communities with those observed in Hawaii. Come prepared to talk!
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Leader:
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Lynne Simpson has been volunteering in the National Outings program for 30+ years; the beauty of Hawai'i and the spirit of aloha still inspires her. In addition to crewing on Hawai'i trips, she leads for the international progam and serves on the Club International Committee. The photo was taken at the Volcano Art Center where Lynne enoyed rocking in the hand-crafted Koa rocker; her other interests include print-making, cooking, swimming and hiking.
For Staff member Gloria Amaral, Hawai'i has always been her home. Born on Big Island, she has grown up seeing the landscape change dramatically due to volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, earthquakes and land subsidies. She tells stories of piling in the back of the family pick-up, covered in blankets, driving to an all night observation of that day's eruption. Many of the places she grew up enjoying are now buried in lava; for her, this dynamic landscape makes Big Island both exciting and interesting. She has lead Sierra Club Outings for several years, always discovering something new to share. 
Jan Torrey is changing direction as a volunteer on the National Outings Hawai'i Subcommittee. Having established herself as a cook of record, she is now complimenting those experiences and knowledge of the Islands by moving into the leadership role. She's also changing her day job after 23 years as a high school media coordinator. This picture was taken at sunset on Haleakala last summer on a Sierra Club family trip.