Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 9, 1 September 2016 — Festival launches new birding trail [ARTICLE]

Festival launches new birding trail

Birders are celebrating a new 90-mile bird-watching trail that crosses Hawai'i Island from Kona to Hilo. The Coast to Coast birding trail will cross through diverse habitats including oeean, mountain, rain forest and lava plains. It's modeled after North American trails, following a route with numerous sites to allow users to stop at various points along the way. "Hawai'i Island is a worldwide treasure combining both endemic species and introduced birdlife from five continents. We want to make sure people in Hawai'i and around the world have the tools and accurate information to experience these wonders in a way that is safe, and culturally and environmentally appropriate," said Hawai'i Forest & Trail owner and HICCBT Steering Committee member Rob Paeheeo in a statement. The trail will open during the inaugural Hawai'i Island Festival of Birds, schedule for Sept. 24-25 at the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay. The event will feature speakers, including The Nature Conservancy's Sam 'Ohu Gon III; a birding equipment trade show; arts and crafts and a keiki corner. For more information, visit www. hawaiibirdingtrails.com.

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