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Pololu Valley

Location: Kapaau Directions: Drive through Hawi and Kapaau until you reach the dead end of Highway 270, which is the Pololu Valley Lookout. Parking is limited. Description: The 300 foot trail down to the Valley floor is called Awini Trail, which is 0.5 miles round trip. However, once you reach the “floor,” you can continue walking through a forest of pine trees and across the Pololu River (which is fed by agricultural runoff) to the other side whether a tree-covered trail continues. Sturdy shoes are a must, and trail may be muddy and very slippery from rain. Please note: No cell service, lifeguard, or bathroom facilities are available. If there is an emergency, someone would have to hike back out and drive to the school for cell service (Trust me, I know!). Camping is illegal. Hoku had fun during our group dog hike! The ocean can be a bit treacherous here, so we suggest not swimming and never turn your back to the ocean. The forest at the base of...

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Ulu La’ au – Waimea Nature Park – Kamuela, Hawaii

Located behind Canada France Hawaii Telescope administrative offices Address: 65-1238 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kamuela, HI Website: http://waimeaoutdoorcircle.org/htm/park.htm The largest project of the Waimea Outdoor Circle is Ulu La‘au, which means “Garden of Trees.” The park is popular with Waimea area dog owners.  It is free to the public and open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for walking, picnics, nature enjoyment, native plant identification, dog walking, etc. The Park is a 10 acre parcel of State land in the heart of Waimea town, leased by Waimea Outdoor Circle for environmental research, education and restoration. Their goal has been to remove invasive/noxious plant species and replace them with endemic and canoe plants (plants brought to Hawaii by the native Hawaiians in their canoes), along with the endangered and threatened plant species native to Hawaii. They provide long-term maintenance of these plants, and provide an opportunity for environmental education for local school groups and the general public. The Park’s location, about 2,600 feet elevation near Waimea’s “dry side,” is frequently affected by “wet...

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Big Island Brewhaus – Waimea (Kamuela)

Where: 64-1066 Mamalahoa Highway, Waimea (Kamuela) (east of Keck Observatory Administrative offices and across the street from Ippy’s Hawaiian BBQ). If the parking lot is full, you are allowed to park on the other side of the church in the grassy area next door. Call: (808) 887-1717 Website: http://bigislandbrewhaus.com/ Open DAILY from 12 – 8:00 p.m. Review: The brewery/restaurant gets crowded, so keep this in mind that lunch time may be the best time to bring in your pup.  Dogs are allowed on the lanai, which CAN get very chilly, breezy, and rainy, so be prepared.  Please keep your brew pup leashed and tucked in by your table out of the pathway.  The servers LOVE dogs and will most likely bring your dog a water bowl, but as always, please bring your own just in case they are busy.  Excellent food with a focus on locally-grown vegetables, meats, and seafood.  Lots of choices including Mexican food, salads, vegetarian, gluten-free, steak, and fantastic locally-brewed beer on tap.  You won’t see...

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Ruff It – BIG ISLAND

Ruff It – BIG ISLAND

Lucky we live Hawaii, eh? But where do we take our dogs for hiking, playing at the beach, or strolling in a park? Click on the links below to see descriptions and photos and what you need to know before you go: NORTH KOHALA Waikoloa Beach – Anaeho’omalu Bay (“A” Bay) Waikoloa Village Dog Park (In progress!) Waikoloa Village Post Office Trail Waikoloa Village Pu’u Hinai Cinder Cone Trail Puako Beach Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site Kawaihae Harbor Beach Landing Shipping Docks Waimea Nature Park (Ulu La’au) and trails Mana Road (Waimea) Ala Kahakai Trail (south of Spencer Beach Park) – **PLEASE READ UPDATE** Pololu Trail KONA 1871 Trail to Ki’ilae Village (from Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park) Central Bark Dog Park(s) (Holualoa/Keauhou Mauka) Dog Beach (Honokohau Harbor) Kaloko Fishpond at Honokohau National Park Honua’ula Forest Reserve Makaula O’oma Tract (Kaloko) Ka’awaloa Trail (Kealakekua Bay) Paws University (Yappy Hour) – Most Sundays (10-11:30 am – Small Shy Dogs; 11:30 am-1:00 pm – Big Puppies/Shy Dogs; 1:00-2:30 pm – Big Dogs) –...

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Dog-Friendly Lodging on the Big Island

Dog-Friendly Lodging on the Big Island

Traveling with your dog can be a lot of fun until you try finding a hotel that will welcome you and your pooch. To make it a little bit easier, I’ve scoured the island for the most dog-friendly accommodations, and put together this list. Our Dog-Friendly Lodging directory lists those establishments that welcome dogs, along with their detailed pet policies and fees. This is no recycled list of dog-friendly hotels that is so commonplace on the web. Each of these establishments has been individually contacted to inquire about their policies toward dogs, and I have found a few who I haven’t contacted, but their listings clearly state that pets will be considered.  In your travels, if you should come upon some dog-friendly establishment not listed here, or one that has changed their policies, please contact me and let me know. I try hard to keep this list updated on a monthly basis, but as you can imagine, these policies tend to change without notice, so be sure to contact the establishment before...

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Lava Lava Beach Club – Anaeho’omalu Bay, Hawaii

Lava Lava Beach Club – Anaeho’omalu Bay, Hawaii

Cost: 4 cottages that range from $450 to $500/night Website: http://lavalavabeachclub.com/stay-play/ Contact: 808-769-LAVA (5282) (Before booking online, please call management for prior approval of your dog) August 2, 2013 Review: An air-conditioned (YES! MAHALO!), tiled 576 square foot beachfront cottage where your dog(s) will receive dog treats, a fluffy dog bed pillow, and a coconut shell water bowl (for the smaller dogs).  Hale Moana is the 2nd cottage over from the restaurant and is the one available pet-friendly unit since it is the only all-tile floor cottage.  It is also ADA-compliant, which we found to our benefit since it also included a protective sturdy railing along the edge of the lanai where we could easily secure the dogs’ leashes while we were on the lanai enjoying the live music (starts around 5 p.m. and is the perfect volume for us to listen while being able to have our own conversation).  By the way, they deliver complimentary pupus (delicious Ahi Poke on a crisp rice shell during our stay) and Mai Tais to...

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