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Kalopa Recreation Area is the perfect location for Hawaii Live. Kalopa Recreation Area is situated on a beautiful lush 100 acre native rain forest which contains mostly native trees, shrubs, ferns, and other forms of life rarely seen in much of Hawaii today. There is an easy 0.7 mile loop trail that will take you through an ohi`a rain forest.
This forest contains ancient ohi`a trees, some of the largest ever recorded. The ohi`a create an upper canopy beneath which grow in abundance kopiko, kolea, pilo, hame, olomea, hapu`u, and other native
species. Another trail is the Kalopa Gulch trail. This trail leads you along the Kalopa and Hanaipoe gulches which are as deep as 150 - 200 feet and originate near the summit of Mauna Kea. These gulches were formed by the meltwater from the Pleisocene glacial icecap of Mauna Kea. There are two choices with this particular trail system, a minimal 0.5 or a 1.5 mile hike.
The endangered io ( the Hawaiian hawk) can be seen on occasion as well as the ope`apa`a (the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat) and the auku`u (night heron). Many other introduced birds can be seen and heard while in the park: cardinal, linnet, melodious laughing thrush, white - eye, Kalij and ring - neck pheasants.
Just some of the things to do at the park: Hiking, Relaxing, Bird Watching and Exploring.
