Geologist will discuss volcano

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park » Mauna Loa’s past eruptions and current status are the topic of an "After Dark in the Park" program in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the park’s Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

Frank Trusdell, a U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist, will be the guest speaker.

In addition, the Hawaii Volcanoes Institute will present a guided geological hike in the Kau Desert from 8:30 a.m. to noon Jan. 29 in the park.

University of Hawaii-Hilo educational specialist Darcy Bevens will lead a 4-mile round-trip hike to explore features from "Footprints Trail to Mauna Iki."

The cost is $35 for Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park members and $50 for nonmembers. Students (K-12 and college with valid student ID) are half-price. Nonmembers are welcome to join the Friends group to get the member discount. To register, call 985-7373 or visit www.fhvnp.org.

Watch for whales as you take a hike

MAALAEA, MAUI » Free whale-watching and natural history hikes led by education staff from the Pacific Whale Foundation are scheduled from now through April as part of the Maui Whale Festival.

The morning hikes are set for Wednesday and Feb. 22, March 28 and April 25. The 5.5-mile hikes are free but are limited to just 13 participants.

Hikers meet at 7 a.m. at the foundation’s Ocean Store at the Maalaea Harbor Shops. The foundation will provide transportation to the trail head for the Lahaina Pali Trail.

The hike is rigorous, with a 1,500-foot elevation change; participation is limited to adults older than 15 who are "fit, experienced hikers," a release said.

For more information and to register, call Pacific Whale Foundation at 249-8811, ext. 1.

Guide lists top 40 bargains on Maui

LAHAINA » The Maui Accommodations Guide has released its quarterly Special Values E-Alert listing "40 of the latest bargains offered by Maui hotels, condos, homes, villas, and B&Bs," a release said.

The quarterly e-newsletter is provided free as a service to bargain-hunting travelers. See www.MauiAccommodations.com.