Sierra Club Outings | Under Hawaiian Skies: Big Island Adventure

Under Hawaiian Skies: Big Island Family Adventure
June 27-July 5, 2008

Highlights:

Stargaze on the slopes of Mauna Kea
Enjoy swimming and snorkeling in coastal waters
Go hiking, boating or kayaking along the Kona coast
Immerse yourself in Hawaiian cultural experiences presented by local Hawaiians
Explore and hike in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Includes:

All but two meals
All lodging
Transportation on the Big Island
Cultural events, stargazing party, most entrance fees, including Imiloa Astronomy Center

Treat yourself to a trip that includes evenings filled with stars and days filled with hiking, swimming, or snorkeling on the Big Island of Hawaii. Participants can choose easy or strenuous hikes through lush tropical fern forests or beautifully desolate volcanic calderas. Participants will also have the opportunity to snorkel and swim with turtles and tropical fish; discover beaches with white, black or green sand; possibly view lava flowing into the ocean; explore lava tubes from previous eruptions; see breathtaking waterfalls; get a glimpse of a rare bird, or just relax on a beach. An opportunity to kayak or boat along the Kona coast will be offered for an extra fee. Kayaking or boating is not included in the trip cost. Participants will have the opportunity to visit spots far removed in spirit from the popular tourist areas.

The Big Island is the easternmost Hawaiian Island and includes the southernmost point in the United States. It is known as the Big Island because it is nearly twice as large as the other seven islands combined and includes 266 miles of coastline. This island rises 32,000 feet from the ocean floor to the apex of Mauna Kea with an elevation of 13,796 feet, reputedly the tallest mountain mass in the world.

Special cultural activities are planned allowing participants a glimpse of the cultural heritage of ancient and modern Hawaiians. There will be opportunities to: Participate in a hukilau; learn a hula; weave with coconut palms; ride an outrigger canoe; make a Hawaiian instrument; taste traditional Hawaiian foods; learn to play Hawaiian checkers, and learn about Hawaiian culture.

Our time on the Big Island will be divided between the Kona Coast and the Hilo Coast. After arrival at the Kona Airport on the afternoon of day one, we will spend four days along the Kona Coast. While in this area we will attend cultural events, swim, snorkel, hike and possibly kayak or boat along the coast. We will then stay four nights at an inn in the town of Volcano near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Here we'll be able to: Hike trails; explore a lava tube; observe a variety of Hawaiian birds; view the latest areas of volcanic activity if Kilauea is willing; hike through forests of tree ferns; see giant tree molds and observe areas of devastation. The Pu’u O’o Cone has been erupting since 1992. A “Star Party” at the Onizuka Center at the 9,300-foot level of Mauna Kea is planned for one evening. A visit to Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai’i is also planned. Other choices include seeing waterfalls and botanical gardens. We will spend the 4th of July in Hilo with fireworks over the bay.

The starting point for this trip is the Kona Airport. Travel to the starting point is the responsibility of the trip participants and is not covered in the trip cost.

There are two airports on the Big Island that are 3 hours apart. Make sure your flights arrive at the Kona Airport and depart from the Hilo Airport. Arrive at the Kona Airport on the afternoon of day one, close to 2 p.m..

Once on the Big Island, transportation will be provided using rental vans, included in the trip cost. The vehicles will be for use of the group and will be coordinated by the leaders.

You will depart from the Hilo Airport on the opposite side of the island on the last day, where you will be dropped off at 10 a.m. Plan departure flights for noon or later. Flights out of Hilo commonly connect to mainland flights through Honolulu. If you wish to stay longer on Hawaii or visit other islands, you must make those arrangements personally.

For assistance in booking flights, call the leaders for information: Karen and Stan Johnsen (650) 494-2472. Please do not book any flights until you have been accepted by the leaders as trip participants.

All lodging on the trip is covered by the trip cost. All lodging is in shared rooms with shared bathrooms. We will stay in a hotel on the Kona side with two or three people in a room for the first four nights. The last four nights we will stay at an inn in Volcano close to Volcanoes National Park. The inn is like a large home with several rooms that sleep up to six people. Again, bathrooms are shared. All bedding is provided. Coin operated washers and dryers are available at the inn. After you have been accepted on the trip, you will receive telephone numbers for these places for emergency contact purposes.

Local Hawaiian foods will be featured in meals including one luau style dinner. All trip members will take turns helping to prepare, serve and clean up after meals. Everyone will be expected to participate. The schedule for helping with meals will be worked out at the beginning of the trip so you can plan your activities accordingly. Meals will be provided from dinner on the evening of our arrival to breakfast on the morning of departure, except for two dinners, one in the Kailua-Kona area and one in the Hilo area, where you may find a restaurant of your choosing (we can help suggest some of our favorites).

Breakfasts and dinners will be common meals. Items for lunch will be spread out in the morning and everyone can prepare his or her own to take with them during the day. Meals will include recipes for meat dishes as well as a variety of local fruits and produce. Persons with special dietary needs such as food allergies or vegetarian needs should discuss these needs with the leaders prior to signing up. It may not be possible to work special diets into the needs of the group. No changes can be made after the trip begins.

A Sierra Club trip is not a run-of-the-mill tourist holiday. We will be getting around by vans, which offer flexibility in day-to-day planning, but do require that participants be accommodating to the needs of the group. A variety of day-hikes and choices will be available, ranging from very leisurely to strenuous outings, with an eye to variety and special places that most visitors do not see. There are also choices for snorkeling and swimming destinations to accommodate different needs of the group.

Formality is definitely "out" in Hawaii. Casual, comfortable dress is in order. Some visitors get along fine in shorts, t-shirts, and thongs or tennis shoes. Bring a swimsuit for swimming and snorkeling. Wearing a t-shirt or aqua shirt over a swimsuit can help protect against sunburn as well. Whereas brief attire may be comfortable at the lower elevations, nights at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park can get cool. Rain is probable so a waterproof jacket or poncho is well advised. It can get quite cold at the 9,300-foot level on the slopes of Mauna Kea for our Star Party. A warm jacket, long pants, socks, gloves and warm hat are advised.

Good boots are recommended for those wishing to hike. Hawaiian trails are not always up to the standards found on the mainland and they will be rough and muddy, especially on trails in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. In contrast, sandals or tennis shoes will be in order on the beach. For snorkeling, old tennis shoes, tabis or “aqua shoes” are suggested to protect your feet from the sharp coral.

The tropical sun can quickly cause sunburn. Bring a hat or visor, sunscreen and sunglasses. You must carry your own drinks on any hikes so a canteen or water bottle would be needed. You should also bring along Band-Aids, moleskin, aspirin, and any other personal medication.

Please limit your luggage to one duffel bag (no suitcases) no bigger than 16" x 36" per person. Remember that we will be trying to fit everyone and their gear into vans. Hard-sided suitcases are extremely difficult for us to pack. In addition, a small daypack may be useful on the plane and during day outings.

The outing first-aid kit consists mainly of antiseptic and Band-Aids; for more dire afflictions we depend upon nearby drug stores, clinics, or hospitals. Everyone should bring any special medication he/she requires and important insurance information and medical cards. Potential trip participants must advise the leader of any special medical requirements at the time of application. All rocks within streams and tidal zones in the state of Hawaii should be treated with great respect. They are extremely slippery. Lack of caution can lead to fractures or slow-to-heal coral scrapes. In case of accident or illness, the leader will help arrange for emergency care at your expense.

There will an opportunity to either kayak or boat along the Kona coast. Participants will need to pay extra if they choose to do either activity. Also, the rental of snorkel gear is up to each participant.

• USGS topographic maps (USGS, Distribution Section, Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225).

• The University Press of Hawaii (2840 Kolowalu Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822)

Hawaii contains some environmentally sensitive areas. With local guidance, we expect to enter and experience some of these areas. It is incumbent upon trip members that they respect these areas and conduct themselves appropriately within or near them.

The Sierra Club is primarily a wilderness conservation organization. As members, we try to maintain or improve the scene. We will follow established sanitary practices and observe safety regulations. Any trips away from our lodgings must be done in pairs or more. The leader must be notified. The trip leader is in complete charge of the trip.

The leader must approve all applicants for this trip before you receive final acceptance as trip members. After applying for the trip, each applicant (including those on the wait list) will be sent a questionnaire that needs to be filled out and returned. It asks about previous outings experience, health-related issues, and if you have any special medical or dietary requirements. After we have had a chance to review the questionnaire, you will be notified if you have been accepted on the trip.

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.

Karen Johnsen has been leading Sierra Club outings to the Hawaiian Islands for the past 24 years. She also enjoys team leading with her husband, Stan. She loves the outdoors, camping, hiking, music, and the Hawaiian Islands. Karen is quite knowledgeable about the islands and her trips include a wide variety of cultural activities for all ages. If we�re lucky, she may include hula lessons. Stan is known for creating delicious Hawaiian Cuisine that utilizes local foods. He specializes in hikes to beautiful locations in Hawaii that are far removed from the heavily impacted tourist spots.