Rainforest & Dryforest Bird Watching Tour

Get a One-of-a-Kind Experience with Hawaii’s Incredible Nature

Go Bird Watching In Hawaii

Departing from Kona, Hawaii. Nature lovers and birdwatchers delight in exploring two exceptional habitats revealing the evolutionary epic of Hawaiian biology and observing native flora and fauna found nowhere else on earth.

Hawaii Protea Flower Bird watching tour Rainforest Dryforest

Rainforest -The Big Island of Hawai’i is a hotspot for biodiversity with one of the largest populations of native flora and fauna on the planet! Nature lovers and birdwatchers can revel at the opportunity to view endemic bird populations in the unique habitats of the Hawaiian rainforest and dry forest. Departing from Kona, travel to the misty cloud forests located on Mauna Loa’s northeastern flank and over the lava flows of the Pu’u O’o Trail (about 4 miles). Listen for the songs of elusive forest birds like the i’iwi, apapane, and endangered akiapolaau as you pass by. The sub-alpine dry forest on Mauna Kea is the next stop, where you will search for the critically-threatened palila, Hawaiian amakihi, and Hawaiian elepaio amongst the mamane trees. This trail is easy and is less than one mile. This exciting eco-tour includes a fresh island breakfast, deli-style lunch, transportation, walking gear, binoculars, and expert guidance on the birds and natural environment of Hawai’i’s Big Island.

From: $235^.00

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12-Hour Hakalau Forest Reserve Hike With Lunch From Waikoloa And Kailua-Kona Town
Starting at
$235^.00
per adult

Adult From $235^.00 USD

Child (8yrs+) From $235^.00 USD

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Comments & Special Needs

Hawaii state law requires children 10 and under, and less than 4 feet 9 inches tall be restrained in the proper child restraint system or booster seat. If the child requires a child restraint system or booster seat, please note the child's height and weight in the "Comments or Special Needs" section below.

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Mauna Loa & Pu‘u O’o Trail Bird Watching Tour Details

Tour Highlights

Exploration of a cloud-mist forest on Mauna Loa and a sub-alpine dry forest on Maunakea
Visit the last wild Palila habitat in search of this rare & endangered bird

Hike in the native forest amongst unique endangered plants, animals, and insects
Discover the jewels of our forest, including Amakihi, Iiwi, Elepaio, Apapane, and our endangered Akiapolaau

5/5 (401 Reviews)

Price & Availability

12-Hour Hakalau Forest Reserve Hike With Lunch From Waikoloa And Kailua-Kona Town

Adult	$235^.00
Child (8yrs+)	$235^.00

Pricing changes starting December 1, 2022
Adult – $235
Children – $235

5/5 (401 Reviews)

What to Bring

What to Bring & Wear: Sturdy closed-toed shoes or boots, long pants, and a light rain jacket

Gear provided: Walking sticks, binoculars, day packs, warm wear, and rain ponchos

Lunch & Snacks Included: Continental breakfast, including fresh local fruit, baked goods, 100% Kona coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Deli-style lunch with assorted soft drinks, juices, and bottled water.

5/5 (401 Reviews)

Tour Details

Morning trips departing weekdays only (except holidays). 11 – 12 hours round trip departs from Waikoloa Queen’s Marketplace, Highway 190/Waikoloa Road Junction, and Hawaii Forest & Trail Headquarters.
Transportation Included
Easy to Moderate Hike; ages 8 and over.
Tour is limited to a maximum of 12 guests.
Guests should be able to hike on uneven or rocky terrain. We sometimes encounter cool, wet, or muddy conditions. Other tour restrictions may apply.

5/5 (401 Reviews)

FAQs

How much hiking do we do?	Expect to hike approximately 4 miles in the Rainforest portion of this adventure, and less than one mile in the Dryforest portion.
Is there elevation gain?	Elevation gain is minimal: 500’ in the Rainforest, and 350’ in the Dryforest.
What is the difference in the birds seen on Hakalau vs. Rainforest & Dryforest?	The Akepa and Hawaii Creeper are found in Hakalau, while the Palila is found on the Rainforest & Dryforest Adventure.
Is it possible to use a spotting scope?	Due to the behavior of Hawaii’s endemic birds, the use of a spotting scope can be challenging. If you feel up to the test, we do encourage you to bring your own birdwatching gear. We do provide binoculars on the tour for guest use.
Is it possible to get photos of the birds?	Typically, there are many opportunities for the determined photographer to photograph the birds along the way.
Do you do birding on other islands?	No, but we’d be happy to refer you to a reputable outfit upon request

5/5 (401 Reviews)

More Information

Rainforest
Small pockets of koa and ohia spring up along the trail, but our destination is kipuka #34 and #35, which are some of the most productive birding areas in the state. Some of the avifauna we hope to spot along the way are iiwi, apapane, amakihi, omao, elepaio, and the elusive akiapolaau, with its unique multipurpose beak. Many of these are found in the ohia and koa canopy.

Dryforest
Native Hawaiian dryforests are one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. The sandalwood trees which once dominated these slopes are all but gone, and the remaining mamane trees are at the top of the menu for feral ungulates which frequent the area. Although the terrain is somewhat uneven, hiking is easy. We are particularly interested in sighting the critically threatened palila, which feeds almost entirely on the green pods of the mamane tree. There are two other endemics of note to be found here: the Hawaii amakihi, and the local species of the Hawaii elepaio (noted for the white feathering on its head)

5/5 (401 Reviews)

Rainforest & Dryforest Bird Watching Tour Features

Experience a Rainforest and Dryforest

Rainforest – Our destination is the Puu Oo Trail, a historic cattle drive route, located at the 6,000 foot level of Saddle Road on Mauna Loa’s northeastern flank. This is the windward side of the island, and is often cloaked in misty clouds. It is enchanting to be serenaded by the forest birds as we make our way over three to four miles of sometimes rough lava trail, crossing over the 1855 and 1881 lava flows.

Dryforest – At the Humuula hunter check-in station just off Saddle Road, we go into the Kaohe Game Management Area and four-wheel it to nearly 7,500 feet on the western side of Mauna Kea to an area known as Puu Laau. The area is mostly park-like and typically commands stunning views of the leeward coast below.

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The Jewels of the Forest

The variety of birds in the Hawaiian islands is legendary. While you are hiking through the forest, you will see a number of our local birds including Amakihi, Apapane, Elepaio, Akepa, Akiapolaau, and Iiwi. These beauties come in a range of colors – especially bright red and yellow. Prior to the arrival of humans, the islands supported an incredibly diverse and unique avifauna comprised of at least 113 endemic species. Unfortunately, due to a variety of factors including habitat destruction, 71 species have been confirmed lost. This trek is a wonderful opportunity to search for some of our endangered birds including Palila and Akiapola’au. The interpretive guides are expert bird trackers, so you’ll have a great time on this “treasure hunt” for the jewels of the forest.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much hiking do we do?

We will have a couple of easy hikes over short distance in this tour. Total hike distance is about a mile
Is there elevation gain?

Over the course of the hike the elevation change is approximately 650’
What is the difference in the birds seen on Hakalau?

The Akepa and Hawaii Creeper are typically found on our tour through Hakalau. The Akiapolaau can make appearances as well.
Is it possible to use a spotting scope?

Due to the behavior of Hawaii’s endemic birds, the use of a spotting scope can be challenging. If you feel up to the test, we do encourage you to bring your own birdwatching gear. We do provide binoculars on the tour for guest use
Is it possible to get photos of the birds?

Typically, there are many opportunities for a determined photographer to photograph birds along the way