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Overview
The official state-designated section of Kaumana Trail runs from about mile marker 19 to 20 on Saddle Road, on the 1855 lava flow. The trail used to extend from Hilo to Pu'u O'o Ranch on the southeast slope of Mauna Kea, and was in use immediately after the 1855 lava flow. Parts of the trail were also once the route of a telephone line for the ranches, and the old poles could be seen lying along the side of the trail in places until recent road construction obliterated some of the historic trail. Overgrown abandoned sections of the trail paralleling Saddle Road below the designated hiking trail are visible in satellite images. After crossing to the North side of Saddle Road at the upper end, the trail enters solid forest and dissolves into various hunting trails before finally reaching the 1935 lava flow at the lower edge of Pu'u O'o Ranch. (the thick maze-like vegetation on this northern extension could be a trap for the unprepared explorer)
This is a nice historic trail along the 1855 lava flow, and the smooth pahoehoe lava is a very easy surface to walk on. The lower section of the trail is a bit more overgrown than the upper section, and the vegetation is primarily native lava colonizing plants. Pocket bogs in the lava field contain native bog grasses, but they are regularly wrecked by pigs. Since the 1855 lava is recent, the vegetation is low and you can see for quite a distance. The trail also winds around small kipukas which are interesting to explore. There is a parking area at the lower end, and pull-offs on the side of Saddle Road at the upper end. Saddle Road is a high theft area, so cars should be left conspicuously empty.
Birds
Notable Species
The most common native birds are found along the trail - 'apapane, 'elepaio, 'oma'o and Hawai'i 'amakihi. Occasionally 'io hunt in the area. i'iwi are heard in the main forest south of the trail, and there can be a few in the kipukas. None of the rare honeycreepers are found along the actual trail, although Hawai'i creeper are rarely present in the main forest south of the trail. Those searching for the endangered birds should concentrate on the trails a couple miles further up Saddle Road.
Common non-natives such as Kalij Pheasant, Warbling White-eye, House Finch, Red-billed Leiothrix and Yellow-fronted Canary also live here.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
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Other Wildlife
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Site Information
History and Use
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Areas of Interest
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Access and Facilities
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Contact Details
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External Links
Content and images originally posted by bkrownd
