Kathy Clarke
President and CEO; Kathy Clarke Hawaii–Rock Solid Events & Destination Management; Kamuela, Hawaii
What are three great outdoor adventure excursions you would recommend for groups meeting on the
Big Island?
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: The island’s greatest attraction is the active volcano that can be seen via guided land tour or helicopter. Helicopter tours can make a stop at the Red Roof House for champagne and pupus. This home was completely surrounded by lava in 1990 and is accessible only by helicopter or over very rough terrain via four-wheel drive. Guided land tours take guests to the active lava flow in the early evening and actually hike out to vantage points to see where the lava flows into the ocean. After dark the lava’s red glow can be seen from the trail. It is truly a wonder of nature, completely accessible and a one-of-a-kind adventure not to be missed.
- King Kamehameha Sites: King Kamehameha united the Hawaiian Islands in 1795. He was born on the northwest side of the Big Island. The historical significance of his birthplace, the valleys he grew up in and the land that he first conquered can be explored via ATV tours, horseback trails, zip-line adventures and outstanding hiking trails to remote waterfalls and ancient villages.
- Kahua Ranch: In 1793, Hawaii’s first cattle—five cows, two with calf—were brought ashore by Captain George Vancouver. Kahua Ranch was founded in 1928, and its stories are legendary. King Kamehameha assembled his warriors there to train for the conquest of the island chain. Located 3,000 feet above sea level, 8,500 acres of private ranch land provide a variety of landscapes, from grazing cattle, sheep and horses to vistas of ocean and coastal shoreline. Visitors enjoy getting off the beaten path and embarking on a variety of exciting activities, including horseback riding, ATV tours, hiking, ranch tours and evening barbeque events.