Hawaii Forest and Trail  Rainforest & Dryforest Birdwatching

Come along as we explore two rare habitats: the cloudmist kipuka rainforest on Mauna Loa and the sub-alpine dry forest of Puu Laau on Mauna Kea. This is a relaxing Hawaii activity and one of the popular Hawaii tours offered by Hawaii Forest and Trail.

A huge study in contrast, the Rainforest and Dryforest Adventure takes you to two opposite environments. At Puu Laau, you will roam the sub-alpine dryland forest on the west side of Mauna Kea, which is home to the endangered palila and the bryani sub-species of elepaio. Our other locale is the Puu Oo Trail, in a cloudforest habitat on the northeastern slope of Mauna Loa. There we look for the endangered akiapolaau, omao (Hawaiian thrush), iiwi and.apapane. This is one of the Hawaii activities that is not to be missed if you are on the Big Island of Hawaii.

On this Hawaii activity, Hawaii Forest and Trail will drive to our two primary locations. You will head north along the coastline before starting the climb to the old Mamalahoa Highway, keeping an eye out for open birds. From there on this Hawaii tour you will connect to the Saddle Road and begin car birding, primarily for game birds as well as for the Pueo, also known as the short-eared owl. Depending on the weather, we'll stop for breakfast along the Saddle Road, often at Mauna Kea State Park at Pohakuloa.

Use the Hawaii Forest and Trail map for easy directions to meeting places and guided tour locations.