January 1st 2005 Saturday, Kealakekua Kayak/Snorkel/Dive: We'll hope to get an early start to avoid the crowds. Actually most people will probably be nursing a hangover from New Years Eve. Fiona and I will be loading kayaks and scuba gear. The snorkeling if you haven't been out to the monument is spectacular, also just hanging out when the dolphins are nearby beats working anyday....

     Update: There were six of us that braved the degrading weather and coming storm front to give Kealakekua a try. Our optimism was rewarded with calm conditions and few tourists since some of the kayak rental shops had closed due to the questionable weather. We hung out with 100 dolphins surrounding us for a while, snorkeled the monument and hiked around the point.

January 15th Saturday: Kayak Surfing South Kohala: January and February are the most consistent months to get in some surfing at the Kawaihae Breakwater which is probably the easiest and safest place to learn, or challenge yourself as you get more experienced. Just about any kayak can be surfed in small to medium surf but I'll have a few surf kayaks out and people are welcome to try them out. they don't tip over very easy.....

       Update: There wasn't enough surf on Saturday but we did get a group together to paddle from Puako to Kawaihae. Some of us tried out the new Pacific Action Sail Rigs that mounted to our kayaks. Sunday the waves hit and the kayak surfing was awesome through Wednesday..... 

January 23rd Sunday: Kayak Surfing South Kohala: A last minute plan to get in some Kayak surfing at the Kawaihae Breakwater. The forecast looks to have us a guarantee of good surf. Just about any kayak can be surfed in small to medium surf but I'll have a few surf kayaks out and people are welcome to try them out. they don't tip over very easy.....

     Update: We did get out and have a great time in the surf. It was a challenge for the new kayak surfers to get the hang of leaning into the wave to keep from tripping over the downhill edge but we all had fun none the less...

February 5th Saturday, Big Island Circumnavigation by Air!: Kelly can take three passengers up in a rented Cessna 172. He's going to make it a regular event (every other month) as long as he's got people wanting to go. The full island circumnavigation takes about 2.5 hours and the rental cost split 4 ways would be between $60 and $70. If we have people that would rather do a shorter trip from Kona up around the valleys and back we'd be looking at half the time and half the cost... Our flying friends can stay overnight with us at Kawaihae for Kayak Surfing if they're coming a long way.

     Update: We did get the plane full and made the complete circumnavigation. The Volcano was in rare form with lots of hot spots glowing out of Pu'O'O vent. The Coastal view was also going off with two different entry points. both of them had numerous liquid molten streams hitting the ocean. All in all, not a bad way to spend a couple of hours on a Saturday morning...

Feb 19th 2005 (Saturday) Kayaking Milolii to Honomolino, Less than two miles roundtrip makes this one of our easiest  trips and if you haven't been to Honomolino it's one of the really idyllic, less visited beaches on the island. Members of the group who want a bigger workout may continue on to Okoe Bay which is an additional 4 miles roundtrip. Some may relax at Honomolino or make the two mile walk to Okoe and meet us there. After time to relax and snorkel we'll make our way back to Milolii..    

     Update:  We had a good turnout (15 of us) for this easy, less traveled destination. The dolphins were there to greet us as we reached Honomolino. We we seeing beautiful weather but the forecast for the southern part of the Big Island was for high winds. Part of our group opted to remain at Honomolino while the rest made the extra 30 minute paddle (each way) to Okoe Bay. The high winds never materailized and we had a great day and easy paddle returning to Milolii....

May 28th, 29th and 30th 2005: Pohiki to Foxes Landing to Halape to Punaluu Beach Park : This is one of the biggest Kayak/Camping trips you can tackle on the Big Island. Expect the winds to blow 30-35 and we'll count ourselves lucky if we get no more than 25mph. Our course will be downwind so the miles will go by fast but I would recommend a kayak with rudder. I will have a couple kayaks with rudders for rent if anyone interested doesn't have one. The exciting part is seeing parts of the Big Island that no one gets to see and by a mode of transport that will be exhillarating given the expected winds as we pass by the (hopefully) active volcano area. To give an idea of the challenge read excerpts from my 2002 trip for the same area, same time of year below....

     Update:  This was our biggest challenge to date. We had tremendous success, Larry, Travis, Fiona and I. the Volcano ocean entry was the best I've seen it. We all had sails rigged to our kayaks and the miles were flying by. Fiona was a bit terrified by the large swells and breaking whitecaps. The lack of landable coastline surely doesn't help to think about either. All in all the miles were easy, the camp sites were beautiful and good for kayak landings and launches and everyone had quite a sense of accomplishment when the 51 miles were behind us.

June 18th and 19th 2005: Waipio to Waimanu overnight: May through October are the best months to get in the easy overnight kayak trip from Waipio to Waimanu. We might think about making it a one way trip to Keokea Beach Park where we could leave a car near the North end of the island. Actually the one way makes for a bit longer paddle on the second day but it's downwind which very well could be much easier than the three miles returning back to Waipio if the trades kick in....

     Update:  There were seven of us on this first valley kayak camp of the season. Most of us got out through the surf intact but there was enough waves that landings were interesting. We all did manage to get wet in the surf at one time or another. We did a one way trip from Waipio to Keokea Beach Park spending a night in Waimanu.

     I'm convinced that the one way is the best way to go, for a small group, since headwinds are not a factor and leaving early to avoid them isn't really necessary. It does make the 2nd leg a longer paddle but with that spectacular coastline who is in a rush?

June 25th 2005. Kayak Snorkel/Scuba We're planning on doing some Kayak/diving north of Kawaihae in a less visited area. It will be a shorter paddle but should have great snorkelling opportunities....

      Update:  We had a group of 10. Most did the kayak/snorkel combination. Three of us got in a scuba dive off the kayak.

July 16th Kekahakai (Kona Coast) State Park to Makalawena and Kua Bay (2-4 miles roundtrip)   This should be an easier paddle and if you haven't been to Makalawena it is one of the islands most beautiful beaches that, fortunately for us, doesn't get too many visitors...

July 23rd and 24th. Waipio to Waimanu Kayak/Camping (About six miles roundtrip) Longer if we can pin down the logistics for a drop off at Waipio and pick up at Keokea to make it a one way trip.

August 20th 2005. Pohiki to the Champagne Ponds (Kapoho)(about 7 miles roundtrip) We've done this one before (See below March 14th 2004) and had a great time relaxing in the volcanically heated ponds taking a break between the paddling legs.

Sept 3rd 4th and 5th (Labor Day Weekend). Waipio to Waimanu Kayak/Camping (About six miles roundtrip)

November 19th 2005 Mountain Biking (A hard core ride) Fiona and I are planning on biking from the Saddle Road near the Observatory intersection and following Mana Rd all the way around Mauna Kea to finish in Waimea. This is a tough 35 mile ride. The first 24 miles is mostly rolling hills and then the last 11 is all downhill. I've done it a number of times. A strong Mountain Biker will probably take 5 hours or more, we're planning on taking our time and taking breaks, planning for a 7-8 hour day. There are downhill portions since it starts at 7,000' and finishes at 2,500' but there are many rolling hill portions and some uphill stretches as well....

      Update:  It was just Fiona and I. The ride was very tough just I as I remembered it. Awesome backcountry to ride through. We took our time, 7 and 1/2 hours, and I was a bit surprised to hear Fiona say she'd be ready to go again....

Sundays Kayak Surfing at Kawaihae Breakwater (Sundays, Dec-Mar) The surf is up during the winter months probably 25% of the time so I'm just going to make it a regular Sunday event if we have the surf . Everyone who has come out to join us for Kayak surfing has had a great time. Kawaihae Breakwater is one of the easiest places to learn to surf for either kayaking or traditional board surfing. The area has a calm bay inside of the surfing area so you can be confident that you'll be riding in toward calm water with no chance of you or your kayak being pounded on the shoreline. Just about any kayak can be surfed, bring your own and you can also demo one of the small surfing kayaks I have in stock.

     Call me (Kelly) at 880-1400 on thurs or Friday or Sat to check the wave forecast.

Jan 1st New Years Day (A-Bay to Puako) We're looking for those kayakers who won't be too beat up from the New Years Eve nightlife. It is the most awesome way to start out the New Year by getting in an early morning kayak before the (hung over) hordes come out of their dens. We'll start out at Anahoomalu (surf permitting) and make the "one way" kayak to Puako along some really beautiful coastline. It's about 5 miles total...

       Update:  The surf was big enough to make us change our plans to kayak surfing Kawaihae Breakwater... 

Jan 14th 2006 (Saturday) Kayaking Milolii to Okoe and Honomolino, Less than two miles roundtrip (to Honomolino) makes this one of our easiest  trips and if you haven't been to Honomolino it's one of the really idyllic, less visited beaches on the island. Members of the group who want a bigger workout may continue on to Okoe Bay which adds an additional 2 miles each way. Some may relax atHonomolino while others may make the longer paddle. After time to relax or snorkel we'll make our way back to Milolii..    

     Update:  We had a good turnout (12 of us) for this easy, less traveled destination. We made straight for Okoe Bay, bypassing Milolii, so everyone would be guaranteed to cover the longer distance. Some of us stopped for a break at Honomolino on our paddle back to Milolii....

Feb 20th, 21st and 22nd 2006. South Point to Milolii This is about the most treacherous and isolated place on the Big Island that one can consider going kayak camping. We do have a hardcore group ready to go if the weather will cooperate for us. Anyone wanting to join in better have rough ocean experience. I wouldn't recommend it without a rudder to keep one from being blown toward the Marqueses

      Update: Three of us got in this kayak camping trip and it was one we will remember for a long time. We came across a Whale Shark, and had a remarkable experience. Click on this Whale Shark Link to read the incredible story....

March 18th 2006: Kayak/Whale watching in South Kohala. The Whale season is quickly coming to an end. Some of the  Humpback whales are already starting thier journey back to Alaska. We're hoping a few will still be around and we can get one more paddle out in their presence. We're planning on a 4-6 mile paddle......

  Flying the Big Island. I recently found my way into owning a Cessna 172  (four seat aircraft). I've been renting aircraft since 1990 and regular taking friends and visitors on sightseeing flights around the Big Island for a number of years now. I want to make sure my new toy continues to get regular use so any kayak club members that want to go for a scenic flight are welcome to join me if they're willing to pitch in with expenses.

     We can depart out of Hilo, Kona or Waimea. First to reserve gets choice of where we depart and what our proposed flight path will take. We can do a one hour flight (estimated cost $30-$35 p/p) or completely circling the Big Island or a round trip to Maui ($60-$75 p/p) is a possibility.

April 15th 2006 Hilo to Kolekole Beach Park, (One way) nice coastline rarely visited, downwind, about 12 miles total. We'll drop off a vehicle or two at our exit point. This paddle requires low surf. If the waves are substantial it will be cancelled. Winds can also make itdifficult. Participants should be comfortable in rough water. A rudder would make it easier. Beautiful rugged coastline makes for a scenic paddle but few places to land a kayak...

     Update: High surf caused us to cancel this one. We need to get it back on the schedule especially now that Hakalau is again open which has a better launch/landing than KoleKole..

May 14th 2006 Kayaking Black Canyon AZ This wasn't a planned Kayak Club outing but since I was in the neighborhood I was able to get the 15 mile paddle into my schedule. I'd recommend it to anyone spending time in the Las Vegas area. It's about 40 minutes outside of Vegas. Launching at Willow Beach AZ and paddling upriver through the Black Canyon it get more and more spectacular the closer you get to the base of Hoover Dam. There are a number of Hot Springs along that section of river.

      Three of us actually launched at midnight and got the paddle with a full moon and nicer (than daytime) temps. Around 2AM we were scouting the washes looking for AZ Hotsprings. We did find it up a box canyon with a number of pools, the upper one at 140 degrees which was a good reason to stop and work our way back through the decreasing pool temps. We made it back to our starting point at 5AM just as the sky was lightening up and the parties were winding down in Vegas....

May 19th-21 2006 Kayak/Camping on the Napali Coast (17 mile downwind run) We'll fly to Kauai and back in the Cessna 172 weather permitting. We'll take camping gear for two nights camping out but we'll use kayaks provided by Napali Kayak.
     Update: There were 4 of us willing to risk the single engine Cessna 172 on the flight to Kauai. We hooked up with Napali Kayaks for transportation and gear and had an awesome time.

July 15th : Kayak/BBQ in South Kohala Planning on doing a five mile paddle. A less traveled area like Kiholo to A-Bay one way might be fun. Then in the afternoon those that want to join Fiona and Kelly at their home in Kawaihae are welcome for a potluck BBQ. anyone wanting to stay the night or camp over are also welcome. We've got futons, a large porch and big yard.

     Update:  A great paddle and an even more successful BBQ with something like 25-30 people showing up for the awesome food and social fest...

July 29th-30th : Waipio to Waimanu-KeoKea Kayak/Camping (About 6 miles roundtrip) We'll depart and return to Waipio. Camping in Waimanu. If some want to continue to Keokea one way we might be able to workout a shuttle pickup.

August 26th-27th : Waipio to Waimanu-KeoKea Kayak/Camping (About 12 miles downwind run) We''ll plan to carpool/shuttle kayaks and gear so we can do the one way trip downwind and exit at Keokea. Anyone wanting to return to Waipio for the shorter paddle may be able to do so if we've got at least one 4WD and driver wanting to choose that option.

Sept 23rd-24th : Waipio to Waimanu Kayak/Camping (About 6 miles roundtrip) We'll depart and return to Waipio. Camping in Waimanu. If some want to continue to Keokea one way we might be able to workout a shuttle pickup.

     Update:  This was a female dominated kayak camping trip. I was outnumbered 3-1 by the opposite sex......

March 18 2007 Sunday A-Bay to Puako/BBQ : Launching at Anaehoomalu Bay and paddling (one way) 5 miles to Puako Boat Ramp. Some may have sailing rigs on their kayaks and will want to continue on to Kawaihae Harbor. BBQ at Fiona and Kellys afterwards ....

Update: We had a great group but the winds seemed a bit dangerous at A-Bay. We repositioned ourselves over to Kawaihae which had onshore winds and did the 5 mile paddle to Puako. Three of the group were in the Adventure Island (kayak) sailing hybrids and they were racing up and down the coast. The rest of us were a bit slower but made the paddle to Puako. Fiona BBQ'd afterwards and some of the group were able to join us for a feast....

April 21st 2007 Saturday Pohiki-Kapoho and back : We attempted to get this one in during the winter and we had really bad weather plauging us so we opted out and did Hilo bay instead. I think April might give us a good shot at getting this one in. It's about a 3.5 mile paddle each way. At Kapoho we can take a break lounging in the warm champagne ponds. If anyone really gets tired and would rather not make the paddle back, it's not a problem for us to come gather up any champagne pond loungers after we finish.

     One option: If we do have windy conditions, we can just start at Kapoho, get in a little pond lounging and do the one way to Pohiki......

.Update: Arriving at Pohiki, the winds were already blowing so we headed up to Kapoho to get in the one way, downwind trip. It ended up being eight of us and we lazed in the volcanically heated Champagne pond and paddled around Kapoho Bay. Weather was fairly volatile with some showers, wind squalls and above average surf breaking over the Kapoho reef. Three of us decided to brave the surf and make the paddle to Pohiki. Shortly into our paddle a squall (rain and wind) came through with somewhat extreme onshore winds pushing us toward the breaking reefs and lava coast that I wouldn't  want to land on. For a time our focus was on maintaining our distance from the breaking reefs so our progress was not nearly on course to Pohiki but better than crashing in through the surf onto a gnarly lava coast. Anyway, finally the squall came to an end, the sun reappeared and we again pointed toward Pohiki with an exciting story to tell.....

Waikoloa (A-Bay) to Puako or Kawaihae Sunday August 19th 2007 11am (5 miles to Puako, 10 miles to Kawaihae) Fiona and I will be kayak sailing up the coast. You're welcome to join us with or without sails and we can drop your vehicle at Puako since most would probably opt for the (5 mile) shorter distance. Give me a call if you're wanting to join us....

.Update: It was just Fiona and I. The winds were high and we were racing the Adventure Islands up and down the South Kohala coast. At times we were flying and other times buried in spray but it was very exciting.....

Sept 1st and 2nd 2007 Waipio to Waimanu Kayak/Camping (About six miles roundtrip) We can either do the 3 miles each way or continue on for the 9 mile 2nd leg of the trip past all the valleys coming out at Keokea. Let me know who's interested and which option sounds good to you.....

.Update: There were 6 of us and we decided we had the perfect number for doing the one way, downwind, trip to Keokea and we'd only need one vehicle to retrieve us all at Keokea. We had an awesome trip, likely the finest camp dinner of any camping trip I've been on. Planning for the downwind run, we had sails mounted on most of the kayaks and the tradewinds were reliable giving us a fairly easy nine mile run on Sunday to the Keokea exit point.

     Email or call Kelly at 880-1400 to check the status on upcoming events or if you want to list or lead an event. Make sure to let us know of your interest prior to the event since there will be limits on how many people we'll be wanting to accomodate while still trying to keep something resembling paradise as part of our goal.