With the holidays upon us, a good way to burn off extra calories consumed is hiking. And throughout December, the Kaua‘i chapter of the Sierra Club is hosting beach cleanups and a series of hikes open to the public and
With the holidays upon us, a good way to burn off extra calories consumed is hiking. And throughout December, the Kaua‘i chapter of the Sierra Club is hosting beach cleanups and a series of hikes open to the public and ranging from easy to strenuous.
“The mission of the Sierra Club is to explore, enjoy and protect,” Kaua‘i chapter Outings Chair Judy Dalton said. “When people see nature firsthand on a hike, they’re inspired to preserve and protect it.”
Dalton, an avid hiker, has been involved with the Sierra Club for more than 15 years and has been the outings chair for 10. She feels the coordinated hikes are a great way for people to enjoy nature and meet each other.
“The hikes have nature experience and social experience,” Dalton said.
Dalton mentions that the hike leaders volunteer their time guiding hikes on Kaua‘i, which has more miles of hiking trails than any of the other Hawaiian Islands.
Hike leader Kathy Valier has led many hikes since her involvement with the Sierra Club in the mid-’80s. She says it was a conscious choice to start hiking — she went with a friend on a hike in O‘ahu and “had a pleasant experience.”
Although Valier feels the whole hiking experience has changed since then, she still keeps her main motivation in mind.
“It’s seeing people connecting with nature,” Valier said. “It’s important for me to keep people in touch with that.”
Valier led a hike last Friday from Ha‘ena to Ke‘e Beach. She mentions the same hike a few years ago in which a woman was astonished by the sight of Makana Mountain. The woman had never noticed the mountain was there.
“Most people drive it (Ha‘ena to Ke‘e) and they can’t see the mountains,” Valier explains, adding that the Sierra Club hikes are a way for visitors to Kaua‘i to experience the island in a way they otherwise can’t.
For hike leader Jane Schmitt, hiking is something she has always had an interest in. She moved to Kaua‘i from Florida a few years ago, excited about the outdoor opportunities on the Garden Isle. According to Schmitt, hiking in Florida doesn’t compare because the state “is as flat as a pancake.” She started going on Sierra Club hikes and later leading them, striving to pass along her extensive knowledge of native Hawaiian plants.
“I take people up and show them the real native plants,” Schmitt said. “The most important mission is getting people to understand Hawaiian native forests.”
Schmitt recommends the hikes for everyone, from visitors to newcomers to kama‘aina. But be sure to check the level of difficulty first.
“We’re trying to offer something for everybody,” Schmitt said. “We also get people who might not want to go on hikes by themselves.”
The next scheduled hike will be led by Schmitt on Dec. 2. It will consist of the restoration and care of plants in the Makauwahi Cave, followed by a moderate 2-mile hike of Maha‘ulepu. If interested, call Schmitt at 826-6105.
The Kaua‘i chapter of the Sierra Club also invites the public to participate in area beach cleanups.
The Sierra Club asks a small donation on the hikes, but do ask for a donation on the beach cleanups. Hike leaders will inform those interested when signing up for hikes.
For a list of all upcoming hikes, visit www.hi.sierraclub.org/Kauai.kauai-hikes.html.
• Rachel Gehrlein, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) or rgehrlein@kauaipubco.com.
