Join us for a guided tour in the heart of Kona! We offer a very special tours that are one of a kind on private lands that are actively conducting forest restoration and working with the community to build resiliency.

Maximum 12 people for any of the field trips. These tours are physically easy to moderate.

Tours are on Tuesdays between 8-noon. But we have flexibility through the week. Please feel free to ask. info@josephrockarboretum.org, 808candee@gmail.com. The JRA tour is 2 hours long and you can choose your start time.

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We have two half day field trips to choose from: $50/pp

1)Visit the Dry Forest ecosystem at Joseph Rock Arboretum– One of the most rare ecosystems in Hawaii and the world, yet highly species rich. Learn and see~ plant taxonomy, Hawaiian Ahupua’a land model at the base of Hualalai mountain, seed collection, orchid/butterfly house, Future Forests Nursery, the Hawaii Island Seed Bank.

2)Visit the Wet Forest ecosystem with Uluha’o O Hualalai- plant taxonomy, Hawaiian birds, photography, planting. Based at the top of Hualalai mountain, this site is invigorating, refreshing and you will really experience the contrast as you move up the mountain.

3)Or ~The full Ahupua’a tour: from 9am- 3pm, $150/pp
Lunch is provided.

Start in the dry forest and have a dynamic day of learning about Hawaii’s ecosystems, the traditional Hawaiian land use model, the Ahupua’a, have lunch, and then move up and into the wet forest. This field trip is one of a kind in Kona. It is filled with butterflies and birds and you will really see what Hawaiian ecosystems look like and the proper way to care for them. You will learn a lot!

Your host Candee Ellsworth is a professional butterfly breeder, birder and educator. She will guide you through a very enjoyable morning. Also hosted by Jill Wagner, a forest restorationist, rare plant horticulturist, seed specialist, and educator.