Natural Hawaii
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The price is per person and includes return scheduled flights London/Hawaii, internal flights, airport taxes, accommodation as detailed above, meals as detailed above (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner), transport admissions, incidental tips, and the services of the leaders. The price excludes the cost of meals not listed, travel insurance, drinks, and other personal expenses. This trip will be operated in conjunction with Naturalist Journeys of the USA Please note that we require full payment 18 weeks before departure on all USA tours. Leader : Doug Pratt |
Aloha! We're off on a superb trip to Hawaii, a fascinating group of mid-Pacific islands offering breathtaking volcanic scenery, a range of fascinating endemic birds and huge seabird colonies, and probably the best place in the world for a chance of (safely) seeing an active lava flow. Join renowned expert Doug Pratt on this delightful, comfortable and exciting tour for an amazing experience, and a greater understanding of the forces that shape our planet. |
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Take a journey to the mid-Pacific Ocean, where the idyllic islands of Hawaii offer breathtaking scenery, impressive seabird colonies, fascinating endemic birds and plants, rich Polynesian culture, and a chance to see the world's most active volcano. You will quickly find out that Hawaii is more than golden beaches, swaying palm trees and luxury resorts. It is a land rich in history with a great variety of landscapes including snow-covered mountains, luxuriant forests, extensive lava flows and semi-deserts, lovely beaches, cascading waterfalls, pounding surf and calm turquoise waters. Best of all, the tour will be led by Doug Pratt who is a world-renowned authority on Hawaii. He is author of The Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific, The Hawaiian Honeycreepers, Pocket Guide to Hawai'i's Birds, Pocket Guide to Hawai'i's Trees and Shrubs, Enjoying Birds and Other Wildlife in Hawaii, compiler of Voices of Hawai'i's Birds, and illustrator of Hawaii: the Ecotraveller's Wildlife Guide. You might say he wrote the book on Hawaii! Doug is also an authority on island biogeography and evolution, and is well-versed in the human culture and history of the Hawaiian Islands. This is not just a birding tour, although we have a good chance of seeing all the birds that anyone can reasonably expect on the islands we visit. This is a tried and true itinerary, with something for everyone. Book now - this special tour is limited to 7 participants and Doug.
The Hawaiian archipelago consists of over 120 seamounts, islands and atolls, spreading across the Pacific Ocean from Midway in the northwest to Hawaii in the southeast. We will visit three of the seven inhabited islands: Hawaii (the Big Island), Maui, and Kauai. We will learn the history of the islands from their development over a 'hot spot' in the Pacific Plate, to the heavily forested and sculpted landscapes we see today. We will explore how plants and animals colonized and evolved into many species. As we visit historic and pre-historic sites, we witness the changes brought by man, starting with the influences of the early Polynesians over 1,000 years ago, through the arrival of Europeans with Captain Cook 200 years ago, to the vast and ongoing changes wrought by modern life. Hawaii has become the poster child for conservation efforts worldwide, and our tour will highlight what has been lost, what has been learned, and what is planned for the future. Our journey begins in Maui and ends in Kauai. In Maui, the second largest island, we visit Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge to look for migrant shorebirds and waterfowl, the spectacular aquarium at the Maui Ocean Center, and the dormant volcano Haleakala. Pending permission, we will hike into The Nature Conservancy's Waikamoi Preserve, where we will witness a nearly pristine Hawaiian rainforest that harbors several endemic endangered species. We then move to Hawaii, the youngest and largest of the islands, where several recently active volcanoes have produced impressive lava flows. We have five nights on this island; three in Kona, where we will journey with Hawaii Forest & Trail to the Saddle Road and Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, and two nights at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where we have a chance to see an active lava flow and to learn about the earliest stages of island formation. Finally we will travel to Kauai, the 'Garden Isle', one of the world's lushest and most beautiful tropical islands, where Jurassic Park was filmed. We have four nights on this wildest of the 4 main islands, a treasure of biodiversity. We'll walk the trails of Alakai Swamp and Pihea, visit incredible Waimea Canyon, enjoy a boat trip along the scenic Na Pali Coast Coast and out to Lehua Islet where we have the opportunity to snorkel and swim with monk seals, and visit Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge to see nesting Red-footed Boobies and other seabirds. All too soon, we must connect with our flights to the mainland and home. For those that wish to try for some of the Oahu endemic birds, this year we add a pre-trip extension. Itinerary Day 1 Scheduled flight from London, via California and Honolulu, arriving in Maui during the evening of the following day. Overnight Honolulu or Maui depending on flight times Day 2 We meet at 2:00 PM at Maui's Kahului Airport. Consider this a field day, as close to the airport, we visit Kanaha Pond Wildlife Sanctuary to look for native waterbirds as well as migratory shorebirds and ducks. We then drive along the coast, then check into our hotel where we enjoy a welcome dinner and an introduction to a great journey ahead. Overnight central Maui (D) Day 3 Maui is the second largest island, formed by two mountains connected by a low isthmus, and it offers us diverse landscapes and superb scenery with Haleakala, the third highest mountain in Hawaii, a spectacular backdrop. After breakfast at a beautiful upcountry lodge, we explore the summit of Haleakala, the world's largest dormant volcano. It is a geological wonder; with a stunning crater 10 miles long and 2 miles wide. It last erupted just over 200 years ago. The magnificent panoramic view at the summit reveals a seeming moonscape where the remarkable Silversword plant grows, while on a clear day the looming silhouette of the Big Island can be seen far to the southeast. We explore varied habitats, including ranchlands, alien tree plantations, native subalpine scrub and the alpine zone in search of Sky Lark, Common Pheasant, Short-eared Owl, and Chukar. Descending the mountain, we stop for lunch at a mall with several choices of food venues, and then make a stop at Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, where we will scope the ponds for such migrants as Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, or other shorebirds. We could turn up some rarities because Kealia is a well-known 'migrant trap.' Late afternoon, we embark on a sunset whale-watching cruise, a memorable highlight of the journey for many. There are MANY Humpback Whales, many with babies, wintering just off shore, so this is a comfortable, near shore adventure with high reward. Our host is the Pacific Whale Foundation, an excellent research and conservation organization that funds its efforts through tourism. After a long but wonderful day, you can relax with dinner near the hotel at our leisure or explore some of the great restaurants in central Maui. Overnight Central Maui (B) Day 4 Today we spend most of the day on a hike with backpack lunch into The Nature Conservancy's Waikamoi Preserve, which sits adjacent to Haleakala National Park. Here we walk a boardwalk trail to search for 6 species of honeycreepers, including 3 Maui endemics: 'Akohekohe, Maui Parrotbill, and Maui 'Alauahio. These are joined by the more widespread crimson 'Apapanes, the scarlet-and-black 'I'iwis, and yellow-green Hawai'i 'Amakihis. The divergence of Hawaiian honeycreepers even exceeds that of the famous Darwin's Finches of the Galapagos Islands. These birds are found in a spectacular native cloudforest free of alien weeds and festooned with mosses and epiphytes, brightened by the crimson flowers of the dominant 'ohi'a-lehua tree. Learn more about recent research being done, and about efforts to conserve them. We will also begin to learn the native plants, with some intriguing examples of island evolutionary processes. We return late afternoon, possibly stopping at some ponds or other spots en route back, but also allowing you some free time to use the pool, explore the area and to enjoy an evening at leisure. Overnight Maui (B,L) Day 5 After breakfast, we make a more extensive trip to Kealia Pond NWR, always a productive place for birding. We then stop at a centrally-located mall, home to the Maui Ocean Center aquarium, a number of shops and a number of restaurants. Enjoy time to visit any of these at your leisure, get some lunch, and we the return to the airport to fly to the Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawai'i. There, we settle into our lodgings in Kailua, and in the later afternoon we enjoy a short hike into Aimakapa Pond in Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park between the airport and our hotel. Many of the same pond birds as at Kealia may be present, as well as Green Sea Turtles on the beach. Dinner tonight is at a nearby local brewpub, informal and fun. Overnight Kona Seaside Hotel (B,D) Day 6 Today we continue our explorations of the Big Island, first visiting Pu'u La'au, a native dry mamane-naio forest locality that is the heart of the range of the endangered Palila, a honeycreeper that still looks much like the finch ancestor of the group. The Palila is adapted for eating the green seeds of the mamane tree, a legume with showy yellow flowers. For the rest of the day, we explore the ranch lands of South Kohala, where we will look for a variety of introduced game birds, Nene, Hawaiian Hawk, Short-eared Owl, several waxbills and finches, including the beautiful Red Avadavat, and feral donkeys. Dinner tonight is at your choice of local restaurants, from quick to gourmet dining. Overnight Kona Seaside Hotel (B,L) Day 7 Today we enjoy an excursion to Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge on the eastern, windward slope of Mauna Kea with local experts from Hawaii Forest & Trail. This wilderness reserve was set aside in 1985 to protect endangered forest birds and their rainforest habitat, the first such refuge in the system. It harbors a superb avifauna, rich in species and high indensity. As many as 6 endangered species occur here in some of the finest Koa and 'Ohi'a forest in the state. We hope to see the Hawaiian Hawk, a variety of game birds, Short-eared Owl, Nene, Oma'o, Hawai'i 'Elepaio, 'Apapane, 'I'iwi, Hawai'i 'Amakihi, Hawai'i 'Akepa, Hawai'i Creeper, 'Akiapola'au (the Rube Goldberg woodpecker!), and possibly Hawaiian Hoary Bat. Again, for dinner, you have your choice of local eateries close to our hotel. Overnight Kona Seaside Hotel (B,L) Day 8 Today we loop around the southern end of the Big Island, a fantastic drive with much to see. We drive south along the coast, stopping first at Bay View Coffee Farms where we will see how Kona coffee is grown and processed. We then visit Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park where, up until the early 19th century, Hawaiians who broke a kapu (=taboo, an ancient prohibition) could avoid certain death by fleeing to this place of refuge or "pu`uhonua,' undergo a purification rite, and eventually return to society. The grounds just outside the Great Wall that encloses the pu`uhonua were home to several generations of powerful chiefs. This 182-acre park, established in 1961, includes a complex of archeological sites including: temple platforms, royal fishponds, and coastal village sites. After a picnic lunch, we visit South Point, passing through grazing lands to the southern-most point in the United States. Enjoy a chance to stand at the edge of the world, watching the waves crash over lava rocks as we look for passing seabirds. Further along, Punalu'u Black Sand Beach is one of the most picturesque conceivable, with pulverized lava 'sand' and tall, leaning coconut palms. It is an important nesting area for Green Sea Turtles which are usually easy to spot as they scour the shoreline rocks for algae. As we leave the shoreline, we climb upward eventually reaching Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. There are a number of good restaurants in the area, and we offer transportation for those that want to venture out this evening. Those wishing to dine 'in' can pick up food at a delicious local deli en route back to the hotel. www.haleohia.com Overnight Hale Ohia Cottages (B,L) Day 9 Kilauea Volcano has been erupting continuously since 1983, and geologists think the current eruption could last many more years. The landscape it creates is unlike any other on Earth. Visitors come to witness the fiery stream of lava as it makes its way to the Pacific Ocean. See first-hand the power of forces at work and learn more about its significance to native Hawaiians. The current eruption has added over 500 acres to the island of Hawaii. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park protects both Kilauea and Mauna Loa Volcanoes. Mauna Loa is the most massive mountain on earth and taller than Everest, if measured from its base on the ocean floor. Kilauea, in addition to the fantastic and bizarre lava formations, craters, pits, and lava tubes, supports habitats from lush rain forests to stark acid-rain deserts. Our exploration of the park will include the Visitor Center, Volcano Art Center, Jaggar Museum and Volcano Observatory, Halema'uma'u Crater, Chain of Craters Road, and Holei Sea Arches. We will maintain some flexibility in order to take advantage of any red lava that may be visible during our visit. Wildlife may include Nene, Apapane, Oma'o, Hawaiian Hawk, and White-tailed Tropicbird around Kilauea's caldera and Black Noddy along the sea cliffs. Dinner is at your leisure, with several choices of places to eat. Overnight Hale Ohia Cottages (B,L) Day 10 We start our day by checking out of the hotel before breakfast for an early walk into Thurston Lava Tube. We then drive the 30 miles to Hilo and stop at Ken's Pancake House, a local landmark that has been in business since before Doug's first Hawaii trip in 1974! After breakfast, we visit two waterfowl ponds, Waiakea and Loko Waka, to look for unusual waterfowl visitors such as White-fronted and Cackling geese, both of which are regular here. We then take a scenic drive up the Hamakua Coast past beautiful Onomea Bay. Mid-day, we catch a flight from Hilo airport to Lihue on Kaua'i. Plan on getting your lunch at the airport. Kauai is a naturalist's dream, where one can find many endemic plant and birds species against a background of stunning landscapes. It's delightful to arrive in time to enjoy the pool, sunset and in the evening there are many choices for dinner, including a restaurant in the hotel. Overnight Kaua'i (B) Day 11 Kauai, the smallest of the islands we visit, retains the richest native flora and fauna of the large islands. The summit of Wai'ale'ale may be the wettest place on Earth, which feeds the so-called Alaka'i 'Swamp,' actually a montane rainforest, and then carves Waimea Canyon, which Mark Twain called 'the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.' Les Beletsky, in the Ecotraveller's Wildlife Guide to Hawaii, says the beauty of this place as reason enough to make a trip to the islands, and Doug calls the view into Kalalau Valley the finest single landscape in the entire Pacific. Amid the splendor, we will look for endemic birds such as 'Anianiau, Kaua'i 'Amakihi, and Kaua'i 'Elepaio, and plants such as the amazing 'iliau, related to Maui's silversword. We hope to have David Kuhn, a friend and colleague of Doug's join us today as the local expert for Alakai Swamp. En route home, we should also see Short-eared Owls and White-tailed Tropicbirds soaring in Waimea Canyon, and wild goats on the cliffs. Lunch today is next door to the little Koke'e Museum, where Red Junglefowl cavort on the lawn, where you can select lunch to dine inside or out. We have a ways to drive back around the island, so we select a fun dinner spot with good fresh fish en route home. Overnight Kaua'i (B,D) Day 12 This morning enjoy leisurely visits to Wailua and Opaeka'a Falls, where picturesque cascades plunge down cliff faces into deep pools. We visit Wailua Reservoir and Keahua Arboretum, then head north to Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, where Red-footed Boobies nest in trees, Laysan Albatrosses on the surface, and Wedge-tailed Shearwaters in burrows in the soft soil of Kilauea Point overlooking the ocean. The refuge, established in 1985 to provide habitat for nesting seabirds, native coastal plants and a re-introduced population of Nene, has become the island's most popular visitor attraction. Great Frigatebirds, Brown Boobies, and Red-tailed and White-tailed Tropicbirds add to the spectacular aerial show while humpback whales, Green Sea Turtles, Hawaiian monk seals (sometimes), and spinner dolphins can be seen in the water. After tearing yourself away from the sea cliffs, picturesque lighthouse and pounding surf, enjoy lunch at a nice café near the refuge, or chose a quick sandwich at the grocery with time to see some artisan shops. Nearby Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, our next stop, was established in 1972 to save the taro fields that provide habitat for freshwater birds such as the Hawaiian Stilt, Hawaiian Coot, Common Moorhen and Hawaiian Duck. Then it is on to the scenic coral sand beaches of Ha'ena State Park. Enjoy views of the spectacular Na Pali Coast while swimming and/or snorkeling before returning to our hotel. On this day we also hope to find Hwameis, Western Meadowlarks, and Greater Necklaced Laughing-thrushes as we pass through lowland rainforest and pasturelands. Dinner en route home is at one of our favorite restaurants. Overnight Kaua'i (B,D) Day 13 (FULL MOON) Today we rise very early and drive to Port Allen on Kaua'i's south shore to take our only boat trip of the tour aboard a large and stable catamaran. Breakfast is on the boat. We will see waterfalls and lush valleys and sea caves along the Na Pali Coast, then cross the channel to Lehua Islet off the north end of Ni'ihau, the so-called Forbidden Isle. Crossing the channel, we will look for Humpback Whales, Spinner Dolphins, Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins, Rough-toothed Dolphins, Brown, Masked, and Red-footed Boobies, Brown and Black Noddies, Red-tailed Tropicbirds, Wedge-tailed, Sooty, Newell's and other shearwaters, Black-winged, Hawaiian, and Mottled Petrels, and Band-rumped Storm-Petrels. When we arrive at Lehua, we will observe the nesting seabirds for a while, then the crew will assist and instruct us in snorkeling, so we can relax, float, and watch the comings and goings of the aquatic world. You will likely be greeted in the water by one of the resident Hawaiian Monk Seals or Green Sea Turtles, whose aquatic grace is amazing. After snorkeling, the crew will have a lunch waiting for us, and we will learn about the island, the people and history of Niihau and Kauai. We'll return to port mid-afternoon, and the rest of the day will be available for optional activities to be decided at the time. If a seabird cruise is NOT your thing, you can enjoy a free day to relax at the hotel, or book an outing with local vendors for snorkeling or sightseeing, and we'll reduce your tour cost accordingly. In the evening, celebrate an excellent week at our farewell dinner. Overnight Kaua'i (B,L,D) Day 14 We depart Kauai today and return via Honolulu & San Francisco, arriving in London early on Day 15.
Oahu Pre-trip Extension:
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