Guide to Birding the Hawaiian Islands

Popular Birding Sites on The Island of Hawai`i

Directions to Sites

(Forest Birds)

1. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
   In Hilo, take Kanoelehua Avenue South connecting to the Hawaii Belt Road (11) 28 miles South and West to HVNP headquarters. From Kailua-Kona, either proceed to Hilo over the Saddle Road (Highway 190 North, 200 East) and then to HVNP (111 miles); or take the Hawaii Belt Road (11), South and East past Kealekekua, Miloli`i and Na`alehu to the HVNP headquarters (92 miles). Check in at Park headquarters for maps and directions to sites.
    
2. Mauna Kea
   From Hilo, take Saddle Road (200) approximately 35 miles West to first large pu`u (hill) on left (Pu`u Huluhulu). Road to right goes mauka into Mauna Kea Forest Reserve and Onizuka Center for International Astronomy. About 1/3rd of the way up this road, an unimproved road (4-wheel drive only) leads right to the Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge (Keanakolu Road). Access is difficult and may be restricted (call U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Hilo at 933-6915). Continue West on Saddle Road about 11 miles to the Mauna Kea State Park at Pohakuloa. Continue another 11 miles West to reach the Kilohana Girl Scout Camp on the left. Pu`u La`au is reached on the 4-wheel drive road across the road through a gate (which may be locked). For information on access, contact the Division of Forestry and Wildlife in Hilo at (808) 933-4221. From Kailua-Kona, take the Palani Road North to the Mamalahoa Highway (190) and proceed to junction with the Saddle Road and go East about 10 miles to the Kilohana Girl Scout Camp on the right. Reverse directions above.
    
3. Hualalai
   From Hilo, take Saddle Road (200) West to junction with Mamalahoa Highway (190), turn left and proceed South and West about 30 miles to Kaloko Mauka Road on the left which zig-zags mauka into the Forest (before reaching Hina Lani and Palani Road junctions). From Kailua-Kona, take Palani Road north to Mamalahoa Highway and continue past Hina Lani Road which goes makai; look for the Kaloko Mauka Road on the right (slopes of Hualalai).