Canadian Man Dies While Hiking Across Lava Field

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Damon

A Canadian man who died Tuesday afternoon (May 7) while hiking across a lava field has been identified as 57-year-old Riccardo Scagliati of Victoria, British Columbia.

Recent Lava Flow

Recent Lava Flow

Scagliati and a companion set out from the Kalapana viewing area Tuesday morning. On their return trip they got lost. Scagliati became disoriented and overheated and fell to the ground. His 57-year-old male hiking companion went for help and more water but then was unable to find his way back to Scagliati’s location.

Fire Department personnel later found his lifeless body with the help of a helicopter.

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Second Annual New Year’s Sunrise Hike and Oli at Makapuu

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Damon

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) invites the public to the second annual New Year’s Day hike on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2013, along the scenic Makapuu lighthouse trail at the Ka Iwi State Scenic Shoreline, located in East Oahu.

The Makapuu trail is an old and paved lighthouse management road that leads to the summit of Makapuu ridge. On this day only, Division of State Parks staff will open the gate along Kalanianaole highway for vehicle parking in the trail parking lot at 5:30 a.m. (parking is first-come, first-served).

Photo by Kelvin Lu

Photo by Kelvin Lu

Last year the parking lot was full by 5:45 a.m., with the balance of cars parking along the highway. Approximately 500 people attended last year’s event and enjoyed a spectacular sunrise. Curt Cottrell, assistant State Parks administrator, will once again go to bed early on New Year’s Eve in order to open the gate early for parking and then be at the top to also see the sunrise. Everyone is invited to gather at the trail’s end and along the side on Makapuu ridge to watch the sun rise at 7:09 a.m. As the sun comes up on the horizon between sea and sky, like last year a chanter will offer a traditional Hawaiian oli to greet the first sunrise of the 2013.

The morning hike is just one of about 550 “First Day” hikes being observed in all U.S. states, an initiative of the America’s State Parks organization to promote healthy lifestyles and encourage year-round recreation at state parks. For more information go to www.americasstateparks.org.

Due to the lack of comfort stations at this location, Division of State Parks is providing a modest amount of portable toilets for the event. The 1.5-mile round trip on the access road is considered of moderate difficulty and suited for children of any age (strollers are welcome). Pets must remain on leash at all times and any droppings removed by owner and properly disposed of. Bring windbreakers, supportive shoes, warm beverages and cameras! Pack out all of your rubbish.

For more information about the First Day – Makapuu Lighthouse Trail hike, call the Division of State Parks at 587-0300.

 

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Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Introduces Two New Programs

Posted on May 12, 2012 by Damon

Two adventurous programs offered by Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will introduce a captivating landscape, biodiversity and history of the park’s southernmost section to intrepid hikers.

People and land of Kahuku, Photo by NPS

People and Land of Kahuku is a two-mile, three-hour expedition through pastures, a quarry, an airstrip and the 1868 lava fields of Kahuku. Rangers will explain how people lived on the vast Kahuku lands, from the earliest Hawaiians through today. Walk in emerging native forest, hear about Kahuku’s history of violent earthquakes and eruptions and the residents who survived them, and find out how Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park plans to restore the native ecosystem and protect Kahuku’s cultural sites.

The hike is offered May 19, June 3, July 15, and Aug. 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Meet near the Kahuku gate, which is located off Highway 11 between mile markers 70 and 71 on the mauka side of the highway. Park and meet inside the gate near the ranch buildings. Boots, raingear and long pants are recommended. No advance registration is required.

Kīpuka‘akihi is a challenging 1.5 mile, five-hour adventure to see some of the rare plants and wildlife that inhabit this treasured kīpuka. Participants must be prepared to scramble over fallen trees, lava rock, and slippery, wet terrain. Wear sturdy hiking shoes, long pants, sunscreen and a hat. Bring raingear, garden gloves, a day pack, insect repellent, lunch and water. This forest stewardship program provides opportunities to help protect this rainforest by pulling up invasive kāhili ginger and other invasive non-native plants throughout the kīpuka. Due to the fragile nature of the region, the program is limited to 15 people and pre-registration is required. To sign up, call (808) 985-6011.

This expedition into Kahuku’s isolated refuge of rare plants is offered May 26, June 17, July 28 and Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meet near the Kahuku gate, which is located off Highway 11 between mile markers 70 and 71 on the mauka side of the highway. Park and meet inside the gate near the ranch buildings.

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Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Opening New Hiking Trail

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Damon

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is opening a new hiking trail in the Park’s Kahuku Unit on Sat. Oct. 8, 2011 with a celebration at the trailhead at 10:00AM followed by a ranger guided hike with Ranger John Stallman. A second ranger guided hike will lead by Ranger Dean Gallagher at 11:00AM.

The Palm trail is a 2.6 mile loop traversing through scenic pasture along an ancient cinder cone with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. Along the way are relics of the ranching era, sections of remnant native forest and amazing volcanic features from the 1868 eruptive fissures.

The Kahuku Unit is open weekends from 9:00AM – 3:00 PM except the first Saturday of each month. The entrance is on the mauka (upslope) side of Highway 11 between mile markers 70 and 71. The Palm trailhead is two miles up the unpaved main road.

Kahuku can be hot and dry or cool and rainy. Bring sunscreen, rain gear, good walking shoes for the moderate hike, water and snacks. Please leave your animals at home for this event. Pets are not allowed above the airstrip and may not be left inside vehicles. Palm trail head can be reached by 2 wheel drive vehicles; however, 4 wheel drive is recommended for the road beyond the trail head.

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Hawaii Forest & Trail Honored as 2010 Rotary Club of Kona Business of the Year

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Damon
Media Release:

Hawaii Forest & Trail was honored as the Rotary Club of Kona 2010 Business of the Year at their recent monthly membership meeting and luncheon.

Cindy and Rob Pacheco Accept the 2010 Rotary Club of Kona Business of the Year Award

The Rotary Club of Kona has been honoring local businesses in the West Hawaii community with quarterly awards for several years. The Business of The Year award recognizes recipients for their outstanding commitment to the community. This year, the service club decided to move from quarterly awards to honoring one business that aligned with its own dedication to community service as a source for hard work and a better life in the community.

This was the ride that took us out to Waipio Valley

The 2010 Business of the Year Award honored Hawaii Forest & Trail for its commitment to environmental education, creating a healthy workplace and for e hoomaluo (conserve our natural resources), a program within the company designed to support and inspire the conservation of Hawaii’s natural resources through corporate giving, stewardship and sustainable business practices.

Travel Writer John Fischer (About.Com) and Deston Nokes (www.destonnokes.com) hike Waipio Valley while Becky Ryan from Irondog Communications (www.irondogpr.com) follows up the pack

“This is an exciting time for Hawaii Forest & Trail. We inspire guests everyday on our guided nature tours. Through this inspiration, we turn guests into stakeholders in Hawaii and Hawaii Forest & Trail,”said Hawaii Forest & Trail President and Founder Rob Pacheco. “As we inspire others to conserve Hawaii’s rich natural and cultural resources, a deeper experience emerges for our visitors and community.”

Our guide Rob Pacheco tells us about Waipio Valley and the history of the valley

Hawaii Forest & Trail has received several awards including 2009 Rand McNally Best of the Road Editor’s pick, Hot Blue 100 List, and was a recent recipient of the Ecotour Operator of the Year Award by the Hawaii Ecotourism Association.

I take in one of the many waterfalls along the Waipio Rim hike

About Hawaii Forest & Trail

Hawaii Forest & Trail was founded and is operated by Rob and Cindy Pacheco, who share their passion and knowledge of Hawaii’s natural beauty with visitors from all over the world. Hawaii Forest & Trail’s vision is to inspire the conservation of Hawaii’s natural resources. Most recently, Hawaii Forest & Trail Hawaii launched their new company-wide conservation initiative entitled e hoomaluo (conserve our natural resources). The program mission is to support and inspire the conservation of Hawaii’s natural resources through corporate giving, stewardship and sustainable business practices.

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