From Opus

Powerline Road, above Hilo, Big Island (Hawai\'i)

[edit] Overview

"Kulani" Powerline Road (no motorized vehicles) is my favorite native bird watching location and nature exporation area. It runs parallel to the better-known Pu'u O'o Trail, on the east side of the saddle, between Saddle Road and Stainback Road. The access trail for Powerline Road is an unmarked gravel road between the 21 and 22 mile markers on the South side of Saddle Road. The road is OK for 2WD cars, but you may have to weave a bit to avoid large rocks. The parking area is where this section of old saddle road intersects Powerline Road. Powerline Road is blocked by a cable gate.

Powerline Road doesn't look like much from the Saddle Road, or even for the first 100 yards, but beyond that you will be rewarded! This area has the most native hawaiian birds of any place that I frequently visit, fascinating landscapes, and spectacular views of the mountains and saddle on clear days. It is at about 5500-6000 feet elevation, 4-5 miles long, with little elevation change. The "road" ends at the 1984 lava flow, but you can cross about a mile over the 1984 and 1942 lava flows to Stainback Road on the flank of Mauna Loa if you want to.

At the junction of Stainback and Powerline roads, gates prevent you from taking Stainback to the East, and Powerline to the South. Following Stainback to the West takes you up gradually up the slopes of Mauna Loa towards the communications relays (5 miles) and Mauna Loa Observatory (14 miles?). There are also native birds along Stainback Road between the Powerline Road junction and the microwave relays at 9000 feet elevation. A historical note: Stainback was constructed early in the 20th century with prison labor, and intended as a tourist drive, that would take people from the tropical rainforests of the coast to the summit of Mauna Loa.

Powerline Road crosses mostly the wide pahoehoe lava flows from 1855 and 1881, which surround kipuka forests (like islands of forest in a lava sea) filled with native trees such as ohia, koa, olapa, kawa'u, kolea and hapu'u tree-ferns. The lava flows themselves are also heavily vegetated with native ferns, grasses, berry bushes, and pioneering shrubby ohia. Small ohia trees on the lava flows are often covered in many brilliant red blossoms. Pahoehoe lava is relatively smooth, like broken pavement, so it's easy to cross the vast lava flows and explore kipukas far off of the road.

See also: Saddle Road powerline service roads, Hawai'i(East half (Hilo side) of the Saddle Road,)

Tree-Planting Road(Eastern saddle, above Hilo, Hawai\\\'i,) Kilohana, Ka'ohe GMA, or Pu'u La'au, Hawai'i(West slope of Mauna Kea,) Pu'u O'o Trail, Hawai'i(Eastern Saddle,)

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

Many native birds inhabit both the kipuka forests and the lava flows. 'Amakihi, 'Apapane, I'iwi and 'Oma'o are common. Kolea, 'Io and 'Elepaio are often seen. 'Akepa, Hawaii Creeper and 'Akiapola'au are much less common, and probably limited to the last kipukas just over 3 miles in. The most common invasives are Japanese White-eye, Red-billed Leiothrix and Kalij Pheasant, but the most striking thing about this area of the saddle is that it's one of the last parts of Hawai'i which is still dominated by native species.

I have seen nene fly overhead once, and I have not seen pueo here yet, though they should be present. The endangered native birds are only found in the furthest kipukas, 3 miles out.

[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

Natives: Hawai'i 'amakihi, 'apapane, 'oma'o, i'iwi, Hawaiian Elepaio, io, 'akiapola'au, Hawai'i Creeper, akepa, kolea

Aliens: Japanese White-eye, House Finch, Red-billed Leiothrix, Kalij Pheasant, Yellow-fronted Canary, Wild Turkey

[edit] Other Wildlife

You may also see Mouflon Sheep, feral pigs, Mongoose, Skink, etc.

[edit] Site Information

Take extra care to monitor the weather and DO NOT underestimate how easily you can get lost once you leave the road! The weather can change very quickly - lightning is very dangerous and terrifying when crossing miles of open lava field, and hypothermia is a serious danger if you become lost overnight in fog and rain. Fortunately Powerline Road is very straight, which makes it safer than the fainter and more rugged Pu'u O'o Trail.

[edit] History and Use

Note: mammal hunting is allowed and there are often target shooters firing just off the road.

[edit] Areas of Interest

Each kipuka and lava flow on Powerline Road has its own character, and the kipukas at both ends have large meadows and bogs to explore. Lava tubes are scattered around the lava fields. You should wear heavy tough hiking boots for Powerline Road, because the "road" is simply a raw bulldozer scrape across the lava. I highly recommend starting AT dawn if at all possible, because the clouds can set in quickly between 10AM and 1PM. The air is wonderfully cool and dry, and the overcast afternoons give welcome relief from the intense Sun.

[edit] Access and Facilities

IMPORTANT NOTE: Construction has finished in the area, and access to the Powerline Road parking area remains open for now.

[edit] Contact Details

To do

[edit] External Links

More pictures and information: http://www.pbase.com/bkrownd/powerline_road

Content and images originally posted by bkrownd