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Scout trip to Hawaii

We have been discussing a Troop 26 trip to Hawaii. Our family has camped on the Big Island about 6 times in the last 15 years. I will outline a possible itinerary with options.,p> Cost will be about $750 for flight, $450 for vehicle, food,&etc. We are checking on flights for Christmas break '05. Families are welcome and I believe can be accomodated.

I like the Northwest part of the Island best. Pololu Valley is a short walk beyond the end of the road. The beach is 300 yards of mixed sand and rock, backed by ironwood trees(similar to pine.) There are a few acres of nice camping area and it doesn't cost anything. The surf can get dangerous, as it is the North coast, but nathan and Lige boogy boarded when we were there. The trail continues for a couple miles to the next valley.

Mahukona Campground is car accessable, a mile off the highway near the NW tip of the Island. It is arid and windy there. The snorkeling is fair, but the shore accessable scuba dives are some of the best anywhere. We have seen manta rays, dolphins, barracuda. Mahukona is fairly quiet, adjacent to a historical park, but only about 10 miles from stores, dive shop, and restaurants, and 15 mi. from Hapuna Beach, a busy place with great waves. Puako Cove is 5 mi. beyond Hapuna. It has nice snorkeling, beachcombing, and out-of this world scuba dives.

Kona is too busy for our tastes. We don't spend any more time there than we have to.

2 hour drive South of Mahukona, past Kona, is Kealakekua Bay. It is a nice place for kayaking and snorkeling, and has a reconstructed traditional village. A little further is Hookena State campground, a nice place to overnight, with hot shower, boogy waves, and dolphins in the Bay.

The next day we could go to Volcanoes, although overnighting at Southpoint is nice experience.

Volcanoes has several hikes. The camping area is high altitude so wet and cool. We have to stay there at least 1 night because we go to see the lava flowing into the ocean and stay until after dark.

We continue on around the Isand, breezing through Hilo, then stopping to hike to waterfalls and swim in streams. There are places to camp North of Hilo, although the rainy weather might make us hurry along.

Hanokaa on North side of Island is a nice place to shop. Further on a spur rd deadends at Waipio overlook. There is a strenuous 7 mile hike to a lovely valley further along the coast. It is possible to camp in Waipio Valley, just a mile down a steep trail.

After that we could finish the loop and return to Mahukona or take the Saddle Road up to Mauna Kea for tour of observatory (weekends only.) There are some other small beaches North of Kona that can be walked to.

Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: arrive at Kona in afternoon. Get vans from rental agency. Drive to Mahukona St. Pk. to camp.
2: Camp another night at Mahukona.
3: If weather is good, strike camp and move to Pololu.
4: at Pololu.
5: at Pololu.
6: Strike camp. Drive to Hookena to stay 1 night. Snorkeling and boogey board enroute or at Hookena..
7. Drive to Southpoint, camp.
8. To Volcanoes. camp.
9.Drive through Hilo and on. Stay at campground North of Hilo(Kolekole or on to Waipio.)
10. To Waipio valley. We can camp there. Trailhead for 9 mi. hike to Waimanu. Group can split: some do the hike staying at Waimanu 2 nights; others return to Mahukona or remain at Waipio.
11., 12, 13 ..remainder at Mahukona.
15. return to AK.