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  1. #21
    Each Island in the Hawaiian Island chain of Islands, has wonderful, natural beauty that can sometimes be masked with danger. Please remember that our Islands consist of volcanic rock, NOT solid granite, and volcanic rock tends to sometimes crumble under ones footing in any given area, especially around waterfalls with areas of elevation and "scenic viewing spots of interest". !0 feet / 100 feet, it's all the same when you fall. Folks just disappear, sometimes. never found again on any of the Islands. Certainly NOT, trying to discourage folks from visiting our beautiful Islands, just trying to give you a little bit of "local advice" here.

    Remore beach location are " ohh gawd, I'm the only one on the beach here, goodie, I can take off my clothes and get an all over tan". Yes you can, find those places still and yes, the cool Pacific Ocean will certainly invite you in AND, may then take you swiftly down the coast just feet away from the beach, which you can't reach, then gladly shuffle you off to Japan, or some other far off, distant land. "turn around, Don't Drown" is a local term used if one is not local to Hawaiian waters. Surfer's & boogie boarders here have made countless rescues due to uninformed visitors to our Islands that found a beach that "looked nice".

    Recent travel books have come under fire due to there "misinformation" on different locations around the Islands here. Check, ask the "locals", the surfers, the boogie boarders about ocean conditions. Radio & the local TV news station most always give weather and surf conditions every few hours on a daily time frame. Listen, Ask & Observe before entering remote areas, "because nobodies around". True, and nobody to help you if you get in trouble.

    Use common sense, Don't be afraid to ask questions, research the area that you do want to visit, don't "take a stupid pilll"l, right after you get off your flight, like some folks do...
    The State of Hawaii has it's own beauty. Take advantage of it and enjoy your stay here!!
    Aloha, KauaiSurfrider / Kauai K-9 Search & Rescue Unit, Kauai, Hawaii

  2. #22
    Quote Originally Posted by Raft&Hang View Post


    Yeah- I'd say this place could kick your ***.... in a good way!

    Sounds like an awesome trip!
    A beautiful "picture indeed.... yet with many variables.
    Helicopter pilot I know has seen large tiger sharks along THAT stretch of beach while ferrying helicopters back and forth between the Big Island of Hawaii and Maui.

    Waimanu is very remote, water can be unsafe to drink unless using some sort of purification. THAT side of the Island can be at times, very rainy, with rising flood waters coming from the rear of the valley and sweep campers along the stream, down to the river mouth and into the churning ocean.

    "Widowmakers" are always a possibility in the dense, damp, wet valley areas.
    They rot and fall due to the changes of tempetures, humidity & dampness.

    Know before you go! Research and ask question before venturing into remote areas. Tell folks where your going and for how long. Leave a planned route with someone. Listen, to weather and surf foreecasts from radio and local TV news.Be informed!! It could, save your life.

    KauaiSurfrider / Kauai K-9 Search & Rescue Unit, Kauai, Hawaii

  3. #23
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    Good points and I make take some to heart.

    Heading to Hawaii in May for a wedding and looks like I may have 2 or 3 nights free a the end of the trip. Friend suggested camping the last couple nights. Mostly just car camping and not backpacking. Also undecided on tent vs hammock at this point.

    Any good suggestions (car camping)?

  4. #24
    Hawaii is the States, name as well as one of the Islands names. So are you going to ... the Island of Hawaii or were you talking of "going to Hawaii"?
    Big difference and 7 major Islands here. Car camping is fun and there are sites on some islands to do so or pull up to a beach and camp. Also be aware of the "undesirables" that may want to hang out and drink beer with ya .. just saying..they're everywhere...

  5. #25
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    Big island. Guess we been talking about it so much that I keep forgetting to mention that.
    Weather warm enough in the middle of May to leave the UQ at home?

  6. #26
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    Both Waipio valley and Pololu valley would be great. Large camping areas and plenty of trees to hang. Waimanu is great too if you're prepared for the extra hour or two of hiking (past Waipio) to get there. Be prepared for rainy weather though in any of those spots - especially in the winter.

    The western (Kona) side is much, much drier and more consistent weather wise as it only gets about 10 inches of rain a year. Beaches are better for swimming too if that matters to you.

    Hapuna Beach - as someone mentioned- is a great beach but not sure how many hanging options you'd have. It's technically a public beach, but connected to a resort so even if you found a good overhanging tree they might not like you setting up there. Also, if you're planning on staying overnight you'll have to either sneak in or just arrive before 6pm and hang out (guards will stop you if you arrive at night and aren't staying at hotel). Mauna Kea beach just down the way is similar to Hapuna with same situation.

    I'd check out 69's or Makalawena Beach. 69's has plenty of good trees on the beach, and Makalawena has some good trees a little removed from the beach. Pretty reliable dry weather too and no hassle from Hotel security.

  7. #27
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    Any issues hanging in Volcano national park?

  8. #28
    We've had some real crazy weather here over the last few weeks and now, the sun has finally returned, but I thought I'd post these two articles because they can be related to any camping / backpacking trip to the Hawaiian Islands. The first article is from Kaua'i, when we had some crazy weather THROUGHOUT, the entire Hawaiian Island chain for nearly two weeks and streams became rivers, that did over flow there banks and cause quite a bit of damage. This lady was in a remote area, got caught up in all the rain and just wanted TO GET OUT of the rain and the situation she was in and decided to CROSS THE RIVER, when she should have just waited it out, & put up some sort of shelter. She didn't, and got swept out to sea, and people on the "other side" of the river watched the whole event. There was NOTHING, that any of them could have done. Your decisions, can and will cost you your life. THIS IS NOT, DISNEYLAND!


    PRINCEVILLE (HawaiiNewsNow) - Authorities have identified the recovered body of a woman who may have been swept into the ocean by strong river currents.

    Kauai Police have identified the victim as Sansan Sheng of Sunnyvale, California.

    Officials say the 58-year-old was traveling alone and scheduled to attend a conference on Kauai later this week.

    The Kauai Fire Department said her body was spotted by a tour boat in waters about four miles west of Hanakapiai.

    Sheng's body was recovered by the KFD helicopter and taken to Princeville Airport.

    The fire department's helicopter was assisted by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Civil Air Patrol in an air-based search that resumed at sunrise Sunday. A planned water-based search was suspended because of rough ocean conditions, authorities said.

    According to the fire department, witnesses saw a hiker trying to cross Hanakapiai Stream near its mouth Saturday afternoon, and was reportedly swept into the ocean by strong currents.

    Rescue crews began a search by air and water, but the search was suspended at nightfall.

    An autopsy is scheduled to be performed early this week.

    ************************************************** *****************


    This second article, is about the "BROWN WATER" after rains. When it rains in the mountains of Hawaii, EVERYTHING, goes to the ocean. Pig poop, goat pee,
    horse & cow poop, assorted toxic sprays that are used on the side of roads and highways to kill weeds, and fertilizers, used for planting purposes. The article I'm posting is the EXTREME, that can, happen to you, besides the possibilities of getting Leptospirosis, Giardia and such. USE A FILTER for drinking. If you have cuts or abrasions, blisters, take care of them.

    Get a tube of Neosporin for any cuts, abrasions, blisters. Remote backcountry areas can entice you to believe your in Paradise with waterfalls and fragrant odors of flowers, yet if you don't take care of simple cuts or abrasions and get yourself in some brown mountain river or stream, even clear streams you have the very good possibility of getting Staph OR, what this article describes.
    ************************************************** ****************


    LIHUE (HawaiiNewsNow) - A man on Kauai is fighting a rare case of flesh-eating bacteria that is spreading rapidly.

    Lihue resident John Stem, 49, was found unconscious Saturday morning and was in the intensive care unit at Wilcox Memorial Hospital. Stem has since been transferred to an Oahu hospital for treatment.

    "His eyes had rolled back and he was foaming, had difficulty breathing, so I called 911," said his mother Janice Bond. She had gone to his home after he stopped answering his phone.

    "John was here from Saturday morning and he's had major surgery Saturday, Sunday, Monday and in ICU they've cut tissue away every day since, including today," Bond said. "But yesterday they had him breathing on his own. He's a fighter, but I don't think he's aware of the extent of what they have done to him."

    Stem is now in stable condition. "On Wednesday his breathing tubes were removed," Bond said. "He had a full dinner last night and he's on his way to recovery, but because of the major portions that have been removed, he needs to be seen on Oahu."

    According to Bond, Stem will need more reconstructive surgery and therapy on Oahu.

    The U.S. Centers for Disease Control said there are about 100 cases a year of the severe form of necrotizing fasciitis. Medical experts said the disease is not contagious. Instead, what causes people like Stem to get sick are bacteria that enter the skin.

    "Usually, there's a trauma," said epidemiological specialist Joe Elm. "A cut, or maybe a severe bruise that gets infected with one of these organisms, and it gets into the deep fascia. And then when it multiples it produces toxins and proteases that allow it to travel really fast."

    Elm said those bacteria can be found in brown water and other flood waters, which have been in abundance on the Garden Isle during the past several days. The bacteria then wreak havoc beneath the skin.

    "In the case of these rapidly growing ones, the bacteria just sort of grow unchecked for a sufficient period of time to really cause damage to muscle and the fascia, and sometimes even the bone," said Elm.

    "It had started moving upwards on his chest, but the yare hoping that they can curtail the disease," said Bond.

    Health officials said there are signs that a cut can be infected.

    "When it gets sore, unreasonably sore for the cut that it is, or it's hot, or you start getting a fever, it's time to seek medical care," Elm said.

    Doctors say it is very important to treat any cuts before going into the ocean or coming into contact with flood water, which Bond believes happened to her son last week. The experts say there's an easy way to prevent the disease, especially when swimming in the ocean.

    "When you get out of the water, take a shower. Rinse off, get rid of those of those organisms," Elm said

    ************************************************** *****************

    Now, to answer your question, The Volcano's National Park is huge, lots of tree's to hang from BUT, I would certainly go to the Park Rangers there, ask questions about the area you want to hang at. There are, campground as well as remote camping areas, some with water, A frame cabins, or a place to tent up of Hang out. Get a Map from the Rangers if your going out into the more remote areas. You CAN get lost, or fall into a "Ke Puka", which is a hole in the lave flows, covered by growth. You can yell all you want to but NOBODY, will hear you but the wind. Stay on the Trails!! Stay in designated camping sites or close by.

    I could write for hours about what NOT to do. Again, use common sense and you'll be fine. Think that your in Disneyland, and you'll become a statistic here.

    Certainly not, trying to discourage you what so ever. I WANT you to come and enjoy yourself. It doesn't cost anything to to ask questions and inform yourself before heading out. Check with the Park Rangers, get a Map, use your Compass, ask questions, and go home, telling friends what a wonderful trip you had in Hawaii!! BTW, the only serious issues would be mosquitos, perhaps, but you'll be at ELEVATION (around 4000+ feet) so it may not matter AND, it WILL be cool and damp there in the evenings, but hey, your from Calgary, so it may not matter to you. I'd bring a rain jacket and a fleece shirt, in the event of ......
    Last edited by KauaiSurfrider; 03-16-2012 at 21:13.

  9. #29
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    I spent the best time ever in my life in Hilo. This is the book to read: http://www.wizardpub.com/bigisland/bigisland.html

  10. #30
    Senior Member renegadepilgrim's Avatar
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    I'm heading back to Maui in March 2013...planning to spend less time in towns and more time outside...I'd like to secure a permit to do the rim hike around Haleakala and maybe do some other backpacking. Ideally, I'd love to bring my hammock. Anyone do any hanging around Maui, Lana'i or Moloka'i? I'd appreciate any tips or places to go check out.

    FWIW, I'm not a "touron". I don't treat Maui like it's my personal playground like most of the tourists I saw...don't even get me started...I wish there was an electric fence around the Banyan Tree in Lahaina to keep the people off of it who can't read the many signs all over the place saying to NOT climb it. I go prepared and do my research before I go somewhere I am not familiar with the terrain, like Hawaii and it's many islands. I read enough "stupid tourist" stories before, during and after my trip there this year. My goal when I go outdoors is to never be the "experienced hiker/backpacker" on the news.

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