Kauai Nature Tours
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| These are excellent events for the entire family and student groups visiting the Garden Island for the first time. Learn about the various tour options below, then visit Kauai Nature Tours web site for current details & offerings. Simply click on their TEOK Investigations Logo to book your event directly with Chuck Blay. Say Aloha for Lilikoi! |
 Kauai
Nature Tours offers educational excursions to many unique areas on the
garden island. Their tours offer the opportunity to get intimate with the
amazing environments on this isolated mountain island. All tours are led
by knowledgeable guides with outdoor experience in the Hawaiian Islands
and your specific hiking location. You will journey to the trail-head by
a 12-passenger van, receive a delicious lunch, snacks, refreshments, bottled
water and additional hiking gear like a backpack. Hikes emphasize safety
and education; however, the trips always turn out to be adventures in nature
as well. |
 
Waimea Canyon Explorer ~ Mountain Forest Explorer 
Take a walk into Kauai's geologic past and experience Mark Twain's "Grand Canyon of the Pacific". |
| Behold what the first people to these islands saw
in the upland forests of Kokee - tall Ohia trees twisting through mists
into the sky, adorned with their scarlet lehua blossoms - scores of koa
trees, with their sickle-shaped phyllodes dangling from branch tips. Emerge
at Waimea Canyon’s rim to stunning iron-rich, red cliffs that plunge 2,500
feet to where the Waimea River winds its way to the sea along a 12-mile
long chasm. Your naturalist guide explains it all to you - the geology
of Kauai, the plate tectonic history of the entire Hawaiian archipelago,
botanical history, cultural sites, Hawaiian myths and more. Dine al fresco
in a secluded spot with a panorama on one hand of the Alakai Swamp - a
flat, mountain-top bog - and on the other, a postcard picture perfect Waimea
Canyon view.
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Na Pali Hiking Adventure 
Two miles into Hanakapiai Valley along the unforgettably scenic trail originally built by Kauai's early Polynesian settlers. |
| Prepare for a visual feast of soaring, jungly-green
pinnacles rising from black lava cliffs, all backdropped by sapphire, teal
or turquoise seas, depending on the mood of the Pacific. This is Na Pali,
the crowning coast of Kauai. Cliffs composed of thousands of ancient lava
flows rise up over 2,500 feet and extend along 13 miles of some of the
most rugged coastline in the world. As your knowledgeable guide leads you
safely along the historic Kalalau Trail, you will learn about Na Pali’s
geologic origin, the stories of Kauai’s native plants and animals, and
of its cultural past. Coastal valleys, such as Hanakapiai, were settled
by some of the island’s early human occupants over 700 years ago. As you
hike up valley to its 300-ft waterfall, you will pass archaeological remains
of their settlements. Prepare yourself for a paradise of discovery - visual
treats, geological catastrophe, botanical struggles, and human exploitation.
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Sleeping Giant Mountain Excursion 
Stroll through one of Kauai's most native botanical settings at the island's beautiful mountain top. |
| This diverse 4.5 mile point to point traverse over
Sleeping Giant (Nounou) Mountain is a surprisingly rich learning adventure.
Trek through dense forests of native and exotic plants to a grassy picnic
site near the 1,250-ft summit for panoramic views of the entire eastern
half of the island. Focusing on Mt. Waialeale - one of the planet's rainiest
places - learn how Kauai's geologic history controls its climate and its
unique ecosystems. Once, the Wailua River region was the home of Kauai’s
ruling chiefs. Now, archaeological remains of the Wailua Heiau Complex
(shrines and ceremonial sites) provide an excellent site to discuss the
island’s ancient history.
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MAHA‘ULEPU COAST Nature Walk  |
| Discover history written in lava rock, and natural
history treasures eroding out of ancient lithified sand dunes while on
this leisurely south shore walk. You’ll experience blessings of island
sun and refreshing Trade Winds as history unfolds before your eyes and
at your feet. In addition to evidence of the stages of the island’s volcanic
growth over the past 5 million years, you’ll see the record of numerous
Pleistocene sea level changes over the past 350,000 years. Enter a sinkhole
where unearthed fossil-filled sediments reveal a 10,000 year-old scenario
of Mahaulepu’s native plants and animals, through fossil pollen, bones
and more. See evidence of the impact by humans on the region over the past
1,000+ years. Plus, Green Sea Turtles, Spinner Dolphins, Monk Seals and
Humpback Whales can be viewed along the coast most of the year.
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Uplands Volcano - Mountain Forest Trek  |
  
Custom Adventure & Specialty Tours |
 Prepare
for an exciting experience in the wild of Kauai. Their custom adventure
packages are catered to you. They are ready to get started when you are
and prepared to end when you wish to. Depending on your hiking abilities,
they can offer a variety of excursions to the back country. These hikes
are usually more challenging and require more experience in the outdoors.
The areas you will go to are usually muddy, rainy and rocky, but they are
always places that blow-your-hair-back, so to speak. Selection of destinations
may take you through bamboo forests, into mountains with countless waterfalls,
along ridges with breathtaking scenery, or to gorgeous beach areas. If
you are interested, please contact us about your preferences. |
   is
a geoscientist with a Ph.D. in geology from Indiana University. Prior to
establishing residence on Kauai in 1995 he accumulated over 25 years of
teaching, research and consulting as a sedimentary geologist/oceanographer,
including 7 years as a university professor, 5 years in industry research
and 14 years as an international consultant. During that time he taught
professional short courses and conducted research on all of the major continents
of the world. His first encounter with Kauai was in the late 70’s and in
1986 he walked and investigated the 111 miles of the island’s perimeter.
Since the creation of TEOK (The Edge Of Kauai) Investigations in early
1996 his emphasis has been on the investigation of the integrated aspects
of the natural environment of Kauai and the rest of the Hawaiian Islands
as well as on the preparation of a book dealing mainly with the natural
and cultural histories of Kauai’s coastal zone. The book Kauai’s Geologic
History: A Simplified Guide, coauthored with Robert Siemers, provides a
comprehensive summary of the geologic origins of the Hawaiian Island and
the island of Kauai. Other recently completed studies include Character
and Origin of the Beach Sediments of Kauai and the Big Island of Hawaii,
The History of Drownings on Kauai, 1970-Present” and Probable Source of
Hilo’s Famous Naha Stone”. Among other studies he is at present investigating
the Lithified Sand Dunes of Kauai’s Mahaulepu Coastal Area and the Character
of Coral/Algal Fringing Reefs of Kauai. |
Ellen Coulombe received
a Masters Degree in plant science and genetics from Virginia Tech University
in 1987. Her graduate research work involved the use of plant tissue culture
for the isolation of stress-tolerant species. She then worked for several
years in the commercial seed industry improving, through breeding and selection,
the yield and agronomic characteristics of major mainland crops. Since
moving to Kauai in 1995 she has been involved in the preservation of native
tropical plants, donating her time to the Natural Resource Conservation
Program, a state funded program focused on the elimination of invasive
weedy species from Hawaii’s forests. Between expeditions for TEOK Tours,
Ellen works as an interpreter and plant specialist for Olu Pua Gardens,
a privately owned botanical garden. But her special interest is in evolution,
one of the hottest areas of scientific research today. Fortunately, the
islands of Hawaii are a natural laboratory for the study of plant and animal
speciation. |
Robert Siemers is
an artist with a keen interest in natural systems. He possesses Bachelor
of Art degrees in Physical Geography and Environmental Conservation from
the University of Colorado in Boulder and the University of Wollongong
in Australia. Interested in conservation and the natural sciences, Robert
strives to expand his knowledge of our surrounding environment and incorporate
his findings into visual presentations that expand consciousness and promotes
awareness. As an explorer, hiker, kayaker and photographer, he has become
intimately familiar with the many trails and adventures on Kauai. He has
a great passion for the scenic and environmental diversity found in the
Hawaiian Archipelago. As a cartographer and graphic designere, he has contributed
maps, books and signage programs to further enhance the appreciation and
respect for our fragile island ecosystems. |
 "Kauai's
Geologic History" by Chuck Blay & Robert Siemers
ISBN 0-9744723-0-1 Available at Borders Book Store on Kauai (Copyright © 2004) You may also purchase it directly from Chuck or Robert @ 808 742-8305. Tell them Lilikoi said Aloha :)
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Call 808 742-8305 or email: Chuck Blay for Kauai Nature Tours reservations today! |
 What is included in the trip price?
Who will be guiding the trip? Guides are naturalists, scientists (Geologists and Botanists), and art historians, teachers authors, photographers, cartographers, and environmentalists with extensive background studying the Hawaiian Archipelago. They share their knowledge generously, ensuring that your trip is an extraordinary adventure. What should I bring? If you have a favorite day pack, bring it! Please don't forget SUNSCREEN. Depending on which hike you choose, a swim suit is a good idea, but not necessary. Certainly, a CAMERA and extra film would be a fine addition. A hat and sunglasses are good ideas as well. GROUP SIZE? By design, our groups are kept small. We hike with groups ranging from one person to ten people. FOOTWEAR ? We recommend that you wear comfortable, yet sturdy shoes. RUNNING-SHOES are OK, but hiking boots are the best thing you could wear. Something that can provide additional ankle support. We realize that boots take up a large portion of your suitcase, however, if you own HIKING-BOOTS and plan on hiking while visiting the island, we believe that HIKING-BOOTS are the way to go! LUNCH ? - Lunch - Their lunches are first rate. Sandwiches are catered by the DALI Deli in Old Koloa Town. They use only fresh ingredients. If you have any dietary requirements or are a vegetarian, they will do their best to suit your needs. Also included are: Drinks - Bottled water, Tropical Fruit Drinks, Sodas ~ Snacks - Granola Bars, Fruit, Cookies, Chips. |
  
 Click
here for a Basic Kauai Reference Map |
Text
& Images on this page are all generously shared by Kauai Nature Tours.
Enjoy! ~ Mahalo Chuck BlayAgain, please take a moment
to sign my  .
Let me know what your specific interests and needs are and together we
can create an itinerary that will optimize your fun on Kauai. I deeply
appreciate your patience,feedback and value your trust. If you wish
to phone me directly, the current time in Hawaii is displayed below, along
with the current Kauai temperature.
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Call 808 742-8305 or emaii: Chuck Blay for Kauai Nature Tours reservations today! |
Many popular activities are sold out days, weeks,
or very often months in advance year around. Mahalo Nui Loa ... There are
NO added fees & No Deposits required for booking assistance. If
you wish to phone (808 821-1000) me directly, the current time in Hawaii
is displayed below, along with the current Kauai temperature.
Current Kauai Time & Temperature |
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