‘Fern Lover’s Hike’ slated for Sept. 27

Join one of Hawaii’s premier naturalists for an exploration through a hidden, seldom-visited and pristine Hawaiian treasure from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, during Volcano Art Center’s “Fern Lover’s Hike.”

Pu‘u Maka‘ala also is known as a “fern lover’s paradise” to botanist and Volcano resident Tim Tunison, who will lead hikers through this section of the Natural Area Reserve System just outside Volcano Village.

“It is one of the richest habitats in the state, supporting over 50 different native Hawaiian fern species,” he said.

The day includes light field lessons in native plant identification and native rain forest ecology.

In the first part of the trail, the plethora of ferns are nurtured by a 2,000-year-old deep ash soil and sheltered by the canopy of majestic old-growth ohia trees. Tunison also leads participants on short, inviting side trips to habitats such as a rare Kilauea sedgeland bog. Not only is it a fern lover’s paradise, it also is one that boasts a minimal amount of invasive species intrusion and abundance of native fauna.

“The dominant, constant sounds are the calls and whirring wing beats of Hawaiian birds. There are no human sounds at all — no cars or trucks in the distance or helicopter tours overhead,” Tunison said.

Round trip, the hike consists of a 3-mile trek over moderate and possibly muddy terrain. Participants should be free of injury, in average physical condition and bring rain gear, closed-toe shoes, a brown bag lunch and at least 1 quart of water.

Attendees meet Tunison at VAC’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village, then carpool approximately 4 miles to the end of Ama‘uma‘u Road.

Tuition is $50 and pre-registration is required. Call Volcano Art Center at 967-8222 or visit VolcanoArtCenter.org to reserve your space.