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79.1/100
Quality Score
9
Tours Available
Kailua-Kona, Big Island
808-331-8505
Our Review: Hawaii Forest & Trail
Hawaii Forest & Trail is the Big Island's premier land-based tour operator, and they've earned that position by going places most visitors can't access on their own. With 9 tours and an average quality score of 79.1/100, this is a focused catalog — every tour involves hiking, nature, or cultural history, and the guides know their stuff cold.
Two tours tie for the top spot at 88/100: the Volcano, Chocolate & Waterfalls full-day excursion and the Kohala Waterfalls Adventure. The volcano tour combines Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with stops at a chocolate farm and waterfall — it's a packed itinerary that covers the island's geological and agricultural sides in a single day. The Kohala waterfall hike takes you into private land on the northern tip of the island that you literally cannot visit without this operator.
The Maunakea Summit & Stars Adventure (85/100) is the other marquee product. Driving to the summit of Maunakea at nearly 14,000 feet for sunset and stargazing is a bucket-list experience, and Hawaii Forest & Trail handles the altitude logistics, warm clothing, and telescope setup so you don't have to.
Private "Ohana Outing" versions of their tours score slightly lower (83-87/100) but offer the same routes with a dedicated guide for your group. The Hidden Craters Hike (80/100) and Hakalau Forest Reserve Birdwatching Exclusive (70/100) round out the catalog with niche experiences that appeal to hikers and birders respectively.
Who This Operator Is Best For
Nature lovers and hikers who want to see the Big Island beyond the beach. Hawaii Forest & Trail is the operator for travelers who care about volcanic landscapes, native forests, and waterfalls more than snorkeling or boat rides. If you want to summit Maunakea or hike to waterfalls on private land in Kohala, this is your only real option.
Available Tours & Activities
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Ready to Book with Hawaii Forest & Trail?
Browse all 9 tours and find the experience that fits your Big Island adventure.
Trades are breezy right now with scattered showers on the windward side and mountains; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Tomorrow stays breezy with the same pattern.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is still uncertain. If it comes closer, expect heavier rain over a longer stretch; if it stays farther out, impacts will be shorter and lighter. Winds will increase late this week, with potential gusts over 70 miles per hour on the highest summits.
Plan your leeward beach time and snorkeling for today through Tuesday. Save summit drives and offshore water sports for after Saturday, and check updates daily as this develops.
0:000:53
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Trade winds are pushing across Maui right now and staying breezy through tomorrow. Windward slopes and peaks will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. Rough seas mean a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain. Late this week, winds will increase across Maui, with summit gusts potentially exceeding 70 mph on Haleakala. The Big Island—especially Hilo and Puna—faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding if the storm tracks close.
Leeward beaches and snorkeling work best today through Tuesday. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday.
0:000:55
Voice
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Trades are kicking today with moderate wind and rough seas. Windward slopes will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain, but the Big Island faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding, especially in the Hilo and Puna areas. Summit winds could exceed 70 mph late in the week. Check forecasts daily as the situation develops.
Leeward snorkeling and beach time work well through Tuesday. Save summit drives and windward hikes for today or tomorrow, and avoid offshore water sports and high elevations Thursday through Saturday.
0:000:58
Voice
Read the transcript
Trades are steady now with scattered showers on the windward side and ridges; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Through Tuesday it stays breezy with rough seas around Maui and the Big Island, where a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is uncertain. Winds will increase across the eastern islands late this week, with potential for summit gusts over 70 mph on Maui and the Big Island if the storm intensifies.
Get your beach and snorkel time in today and tomorrow on the leeward coast. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday as conditions deteriorate. The track could shift significantly—check updates daily.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out