Island Hopping

Explore Napau Trail on walk with Friends

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park » The nonprofit Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has scheduled a "Sunday Walk in the Park" from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 11.

The eight-hour, 14-mile round-trip hike will explore the Napau Trail. The walk is rated strenuous and "hikers should be physically fit and free of respiratory and heart ailments," according to a park announcement.

The monthly event is free for Friends members, and nonmembers are welcome to join the Friends to attend.

To register, call 985-7373 or visit admin@fhvnp.org. For more information, including directions to the trailhead at the Mauna Ulu parking lot, visit www.fhvnp.org. Park entrance fees apply.

Guests can kokua with reforestation

KONA, HAWAII » Guests at Hualalai Four Seasons can be a little part of a big effort to plant up to 10 million trees around the world to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

The Hualalai resort has partnered with Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods to plant up to 500,000 "legacy" koa trees in the native Hawaiian forest, according to a release.

"These trees, to be planted over the next few years, will significantly contribute to the reforestation of this depleted species. As ‘legacy’ trees, they will not be harvested, and will live out their natural life in the forest," the statement said.

The Hawaii trees will be planted 34 miles north of Hilo above Umikoa Village, a 2,700-acre sustainable forest that was once home to the koa forest of King Kamehameha I.

Guests can plant a seedling into a small tray and will be able to follow their tree via GPS signal once it is planted in the forest. A participation fee is $40 per tree, which will help pay for the planting and care of their koa seedling. The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii will receive a $1 contribution per tree sponsorship to support global reforestation. The Conservancy, as well as the Boy Scouts Aloha Council and several government agencies, are involved in this environmental initiative.

Dogs have their day at the Pagoda Hotel

The Pagoda Hotel in Honolulu now welcomes pet dogs.

The hotel’s pet-friendly rooms are on the first floor.

Guests can bring up to two dogs. There are weight and breed restrictions, and a security deposit of $100 is required at check-in and refundable upon check-out after inspection of the room.

The nightly rate is $25 plus taxes, per pet and includes doggie pads to keep the room clean and a copy of Hawaii Pet magazine.

For reservations or more information, call 866-406-2782.