Photo: Jan Torrey Day Hikes and Creature Comforts, Big Island, Hawaii Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 09043A Price: $1,595 Deposit: $200 Capacity: 11 Leader:
The Trip The price on this trip has changed from what was previously published. If you have questions, please contact us. Photo: Jan Torrey We will see sights very few Big Island visitors ever get to experience on
this hotel-based 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 will sometimes
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.
 Photo: Jan Torrey On our first day we will pick you from the Kona airport and take you to our first hotel, where we will stay for four nights. After settling into our rooms, we will meet for a welcome dinner, which is included in the trip price. The next three days will be spent hiking, swimming and snorkeling in the Kona area. There will be an optional kayak trip offered on day three. On the fifth day of the trip we will drive the “northern route” to Hilo, stopping for short walks along the way in a native ohia forest and Akaka Falls State Park. We will stay in Hilo for three nights in a hotel with fully furnished kitchens so we’ll have a choice of eating in one of the area restaurants or at the hotel. Our breakfasts will include fresh Hawaiian fruits grown on the premises.  Photo: Richard Torrey One day will feature a hike in the Hilo area. We will also visit Volcanoes National Park in Volcano for several hikes. Volcanoes National Park contains two of the world’s most active volcanoes – Kilauea and Mauna Loa – and offers insight into how the Hawaiian Islands were formed. We will depart from the airport in Hilo on Saturday. There is an excellent
Farmer’s Market in Hilo on Saturday mornings so you might want to visit
it to provision yourself for the long flight home! Getting There  Photo: Jan Torrey Please note that this trip begins in Kona and ends in Hilo. Flights from the
mainland are frequent. Please plan to arrive in Kona by mid-afternoon on day
one of the trip. The trip concludes 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, or arriving in Kona a day or two before
the trip begins. Flight delays can interrupt an on-time arrival in Kona.
Participants will share comfortable, but modest accommodations in two 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 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 dinner. For our dinners out, the leaders will suggest a wide variety of possible choices.
 Photo: Richard Torrey 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 average about 4 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.
Conservation 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
Assistant Leader
 Hawaii has always been Gloria Amaral's home. Born on the Big Island, she has grown up seeing the landscape change dramatically due to volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, earthquakes and land subsidies. Many of the places she grew up enjoying are now buried in lava. For her,this dynamic landscape makes Big Island living both exciting and interesting. She has led Sierra Club outings for several years, always discovering something new to share. General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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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.
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 program and serves on the Club International Committee. Her other interests include print-making, cooking, swimming and hiking.