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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.
Oʻahu starts calm and mild with just a few afternoon showers inland. Everything changes Wednesday night when tropical moisture pushes in from the south—an unusual pattern for us. Heavy rain becomes likely through at least Thursday morning, especially on the leeward side where rain doesn't normally fall this heavy. Thunderstorms are possible too. Thursday stays damp and showery as the system lingers, then improves Friday as it weakens, though scattered showers continue. Moderate swell on the south and west shores through the week, with moderate swell also on the north shore from a distant system. Plan indoor activities for Wednesday evening through Thursday morning. Beach days and hikes work better Thursday afternoon on.
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Maui starts calm with mild conditions through Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday night, deep tropical moisture moves in from the south—a rare pattern for Hawaii—and heavy rain becomes likely, especially on leeward areas. This wet spell continues through Thursday morning, with Thursday staying damp and showery before improving Friday. Southern and western shores will see moderate swell through the week.
Plan indoor or covered activities for Wednesday night through Thursday. Hiking and beach time work better Thursday afternoon onward.
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Right now it's calm and mild with just a few showers in the interior. Tonight southerly winds move in and heavy rain becomes likely, particularly on the western islands and leeward areas where rain doesn't normally fall. That wet pattern continues through Thursday morning, with thunderstorms possible around Kauai and Oahu. The Big Island will see showers and moisture linger through Thursday. Friday starts to improve as the system weakens, though south winds and scattered showers persist. Trade winds should return by Monday. Moderate swell affects southern and western shores through the week, with possible additional swell on west-facing beaches late week. Plan indoor activities for Wednesday night through Thursday, and save your hiking and beach time for Thursday afternoon onward.
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Kauaʻi starts calm with a few showers in the interior, and wind shifts to the south Wednesday—unusual for here. Heavy rain moves in Wednesday night and continues through Thursday morning, especially on the west side and leeward areas that normally stay dry. Thunderstorms are possible Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Visibility drops during the heaviest rain.
Friday clears gradually as the system weakens, though scattered showers and southerly wind linger. Weekend conditions improve toward normal, and trade winds return by Monday. Southern and western shores see moderate swell through the week; north shores stay moderate from a system to the northwest.
Plan indoor or covered activities for Wednesday night through Thursday. Daytime Wednesday is fine for outdoor plans. Beach and hiking days look better Thursday afternoon onward.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out