Around The Big Island (Hawaii) in 14 days 2015

Tour
  • Leaders:    Dan Carey (206-282-5978; careydscl@gmail.com ) and John Pringle (250-655-9289; knitsui@telus.net )
  • Tour Dates: Jan 31st (Saturday) to Feb 14th, (Saturday) 2015.      
  • Tour Fee: $1,600.00 CAD.
  • Tour Numbers: Maximum 16; Minimum 12.
  • Tour Registration Opening Date: October 23rd @ 1700h (5:00 p.m.).
  • Tour Rating: Intermediate.  

Tour Description: The island of Hawaii is grand in so many ways.  Nicknamed “The Orchid Island” or “The Volcano Island,” both are excellent choices. First, it produces more delicate blooms than anywhere else on earth and secondly; Pele, the fire goddess, makes her mythological home here, where she regularly sends rivers of lava from the world’s largest and most active volcanoes.  But Hawaii has only one real nickname to the people who live there, “The Big Island.”  There are parched deserts; steaming fissures; jet-black sand beaches; raw, semi-cooled lava flows; snow-covered mountains, entire forests encased in hardened stone, and lush valleys where countless waterfalls break through the rock faces of 1,000-foot-tall (~300 m) chasms.  There are small working villages that time has passed by, the state’s most tropical city, and an entire arid coast stretching over 90 mi (~150 km) where the sun is guaranteed to shine.  

Whether this is your first trip to Hawaii or one of many, I hope you will join us on this tour for an unforgettable cycling experience.

Riding Conditions and Logistics. The Tour will be van-supported with participants taking equal turns driving the van if a volunteer driver is not located. As well, please note, that unless ill or with a broken bicycle, riders will be expected to cycle.  The tour will start and end in Kona, completing the loop of the Big Island in 13 days including five non-move days where there will be opportunities for cycling, swimming, hiking, shopping or visiting museums, hot springs, the Tsunami Monument, etc.

All roads will be paved, and in parts strong winds and steep hills can be expected.

Cost: A $2.00 (CAD) non-refundable payment will be paid at time of tour registration [October 23rd at 1700h (5:00 p.m.)], which will be done online at http://tinyurl.com/m9dw6g. Within 48 hours of registration, each registrant will be contacted by a tour leader. Successful applicants will be among the first 16 to register (first-come-first-serve), they will be deemed fit for the Tour’s riding conditions (see tour classification in this Newsbrief), and will be agreeable to double occupancy lodging or other lodging restraints (see below). Registrants will be given 72 hours to pay $1,000.00 CAD online (see above). The balance [$600.00 (CAD)] will be due Dec. 1st, 2014 and paid online.  

Please note that those cancelling the tour will be penalized $50.00, no matter the cancellation rationale.  In addition, they will incur costs made or committed on their behalf if vacancies are unfilled. Trip cancellation insurance is recommended.

Tour fees cover:

  • Lodging (14 nights), based on double occupancy. Please note that, depending on lodging availability, there is the possibility of having 3-4-5 to a room for a couple of nights. Room assignments will be at the discretion of the Tour Leaders;
  • A tour banquet (the Tour’s last night in Kona);
  • Support vehicle rental fee plus ancillary costs; and
  • Tour leaders tour fee.

Tour fees do not include:

  • Meals, except where breakfast is provided with lodging costs; and
  • Transportation costs to and from Hawaii, or from the airport to Kona and return.

Please contact a Tour Leader with any Tour queries you may have.

 Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Saturday, January 31st, arrival in Kona.
Day 2: Sunday, February 1st, non-move day.  Bike assembly and testing.  Swimming available at “Turtle Beach”.
Day 3: Monday, February 2nd, cycling from Kona to Captain Cook (20 km) Afternoon hike from the hotel to Captain Cook Monument.  Swimming at the Monument.
Day 4: Tuesday, February 3rd, non-move day. Cycle to the Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park.
Day 5: Wednesday February 4th,   Captain Cook to Na’alehu (76 km).  Optional cycle to South point (18 km, rough road) or Van ride to South point (space limited). Ancient fishing Heiau (shrine) and canoe moorings. 
Day 6: Thursday, February 5th, Na’alehu to Volcano (59 km).  Watch & Listen for Pele.
Day 7: Friday, February 6th, non-move day. Cycle tour of Kilauea caldera, Museum, Visitor Center, Volcano House, Thurston lava tube, Kilauea Iki Crater.
Day 8: Saturday, February 7th, Volcano to Hilo (46 km).  The Tropical City of Hawaii.
Farmer’s market in old section of Hilo town (Saturday only), Tsunami Memorial Park and Museum, Lyman Museum, shopping in old town, pool swimming.
Day 9: Sunday, February 8th, non-move day.  Early morning cycle to Rainbow Falls and Imiloa Astronomy Centre.
Day 10:  Monday, February 9th,   Hilo to Honoka’a (67 km), Hotel Honoka’a Club, Laupahoehoe Train Museum, Laupahoehoe Point Co. Park, and Tsunami Memorial.  
Day 11: Tuesday, February 10th, non-move day.  Hang out in Honoka’a town or cycle to Waipio Valley overlook, (30 km roundtrip).  
Day 12: Wednesday, February 11th,   Honoka’a to Waimea (20 km) See if you can spot a Paniolo (modern day Hawaiian Cowboy) working at the 150,000 acre Parker Ranch.
Day 13: Thursday, February 12th.  Waimea to Hawi (34 km). Side trip to Pololu Valley lookout.  Steep switchbacks to the beach.
Day 14: Friday, February 13th. Hawi to Kona (85 km).   Farewell group dinner.
Day 15: Saturday, February 14th, Tour ends after breakfast.    ALOHA!