Hawaii Forest & Trail – Hakalau Forest Reserve Exclusive Kona

Spend the day inside one of the Big Island’s most protected native forests, where access is limited and the birdlife is unlike anywhere else. Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge was created to protect Hawaii’s rare forest birds, and this tour enters the Pua Akala tract under a special permit held by Hawaii Forest & Trail.

The journey begins at Hawaii Forest & Trail headquarters and continues north through changing Big Island scenery before leaving the pavement for the final stretch into the refuge. Along the way, keep watch for pueo and other birds while your guide shares stories about the island’s natural and cultural history.

Once inside Hakalau, you’ll spend about four hours hiking 2 to 4 miles through native forest with roughly 650 feet of elevation change. Ancient ohia, towering koa and rare native plants surround the trail as your guide helps you look and listen for birds found nowhere else on Earth.

Tour Highlights

• Special-permit access to the Pua Akala tract of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
• Birdwatching in habitat that protects some of Hawaii’s rarest native species
• Walk through native ohia and koa forest
• Expert interpretive guides with strong bird-tracking knowledge
• Approximately 2 to 4 miles of hiking with about 650 feet of elevation change

Tour Inclusions

• Breakfast snack
• Deli-style lunch (choice of turkey, ham, pastrami or veggie sandwich, or salad)
• Assorted beverages
• Walking sticks, binoculars, day packs and rain ponchos