What Is the Hawaii Island Coast to Coast Birding Trail?
Imagine a trail cross-island from shoreline to shoreline that travels through a national park, ancient Hawaiian pathways, archeological sites, historic sites, upland pasture, rainforest, dry forest, sub-alpine shrubland, barren lava fields, volcanic vents, caves, waterfalls, Hawaii's longest river, ponds, and an estuary. Imagine that trail rising from sea level to 7,000 feet and back again to sea level while traveling the boundary of the two tallest mountains on earth.
Imagine that trail passing through desert climate with a few inches of rain annually and later through tropical rainforest with nearly 300 inches. Imagine that trail's diversity of landscape and climate matched by its diversity of birds: waterfowl, migratory shorebirds, endangered wetland birds, parrots, a collection of songbirds representing five continents, owls, hawks, and Hawaiian endemic forest birds including Hawaiian Honeycreepers — the world's most endangered family of birds.
The Hawaii Island Coast to Coast Birding Trail (HICCBT) links a National Park, two State Parks, several Forest Reserves, two County Parks, a National Wildlife Refuge, several public trails, and local businesses. It is envisioned that the HICCBT could be expanded in time to incorporate other areas of Hawaii Island and link to other Heritage Corridors and Scenic Byways, thus creating a larger Hawaii Island Nature Trail Network.
HICCBT is the first trail designated and developed specifically as part of the Hawaii Island Nature Trail Network, serving as a pilot project for the larger island-wide network.
The Trail Route
The HICCBT is designed as a linear coast-to-coast experience, though most birders explore it in segments or as a series of day trips from a central base. The trail begins on one coast — passing through coastal strand, salt ponds, and wetlands — before ascending through dry forests on the leeward slopes of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.
At mid-elevation, the trail passes through some of the most intact native Hawaiian forest remaining on the island, including areas managed as wildlife refuges and forest reserves where native bird densities can be remarkably high. Continuing upward, the landscape transitions to sub-alpine shrublands and barren lava fields before the trail crests near the saddle between the two great volcanoes.
The descent to the windward coast brings increasingly lush rainforest, dramatic waterfalls, river valleys, and ultimately the wetland-rich coastline of the Hilo side, where migratory shorebirds mingle with resident waterbirds in fishpond complexes and wildlife sanctuaries.
Habitats Along the Trail
One of the most remarkable features of the Hawaii Island Coast to Coast Birding Trail is the sheer number of distinct ecological habitats it traverses within a relatively compact geographic area. This habitat diversity directly translates to bird diversity, making the HICCBT one of the most species-rich birding routes in the United States.
- Coastal wetlands and fishponds — Home to Hawaiian Stilt, Hawaiian Coot, Hawaiian Duck, and migratory shorebirds
- Dry coastal scrub — Habitat for introduced gamebirds, Hawaiian Hawk, and introduced songbirds
- Dry forest — One of Hawaii's most threatened ecosystems, harboring rare native insects and plants that support birds
- Mesic forest — Transition zone with high bird activity, particularly productive for native species
- Wet native forest — The heartland of native bird diversity, dominated by 'ohi'a lehua and tree ferns
- Sub-alpine shrubland — Open country habitat for 'io (Hawaiian Hawk), Pueo, and seasonal migrants
- Lava fields and volcanic landscapes — Sparse habitat supporting specialized species and offering spectacular scenery
- Riparian corridors — River valleys and streams supporting unique plant and animal communities
Birds You Can See
The Hawaii Island Coast to Coast Birding Trail offers opportunities to observe an extraordinary range of bird species. Native Hawaiian birds are the primary attraction, but the trail also passes through areas rich in introduced species, migratory visitors, and seabirds.
Native Hawaiian forest birds along the trail include the 'I'iwi (Scarlet Hawaiian Honeycreeper), 'Apapane, Hawai'i 'Amakihi, 'Akiapola'au, Hawai'i Creeper, 'Elepaio, and the spectacular 'Oma'o (Hawaiian Thrush). The Hawaiian Hawk ('Io) is frequently observed soaring over forested slopes, and the Pueo (Hawaiian Short-eared Owl) can sometimes be seen hunting in open areas at dawn and dusk.
Wetland and coastal species include the Hawaiian Stilt (Ae'o), Hawaiian Coot ('Alae ke'oke'o), endangered Hawaiian Duck (Koloa), and Black-crowned Night Heron. Migratory visitors include the Pacific Golden-Plover (Kolea), Wandering Tattler (Ulili), and numerous sandpiper species.
Seabirds nesting in cliffs and offshore islets include Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, White-tailed Tropicbirds, Brown Boobies, and Great Frigatebirds, visible from coastal overlooks along the trail.
Trail Access and Planning
The HICCBT incorporates both public and private land, with access varying by segment. Key access points include Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (entry fee required), Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge (advance permit required from USFWS), various state forest reserve trailheads (generally open access), and county beach parks.
Most trail segments require a four-wheel-drive vehicle for access roads, and conditions can be significantly different from mainland trails. Weather on the Big Island changes rapidly and varies dramatically between the windward and leeward sides. Always carry water, rain gear, and sun protection regardless of the forecast.
The Hawaii Island Birding Festival offers the most convenient and comprehensive introduction to the trail, with organized transportation, expert guides, and curated access to locations not always accessible independently. Joining a festival tour is highly recommended for first-time visitors.
Conservation Mission
The Hawaii Island Coast to Coast Birding Trail was established not only as a tourism initiative but as a conservation tool. By creating economic value from living birds and intact native habitats, the trail demonstrates to landowners, businesses, and government agencies that conservation and economic development are complementary goals rather than competing interests.
Hawaii's native birds face severe threats from habitat loss, invasive predators, and avian disease. Conservation programs supported through birding tourism revenue are making measurable differences in population recovery for several endangered species. The HICCBT links these conservation areas and creates a constituency of engaged visitors who become advocates for Hawaii's natural heritage.
Every visitor to the Hawaii Island Birding Festival and the HICCBT contributes directly to these conservation efforts. Your participation helps ensure that future generations will continue to experience the extraordinary birds of Hawaii Island.