KALOKO GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Up the Mountain with Kimo: A Private Hualālai Crater Journey
A five-hour, appointment-only guided tour from Kaloko that rides a five-person Polaris UTV to 7,000 ft and hikes into craters closed to the public.
Up the Mountain with Kimo: A Private Hualālai Crater Journey.
On the slopes of Hualālai, a native Hawaiian guide named Kimo leads a deliberately small, intimate exploration: a Polaris UTV carries no more than five guests to roughly 7,000 feet, where jagged lava and hidden craters open to a hike few outsiders ever take. The Hualālai Crater Experience blends vehicle ascent, targeted footwork over loose rock, place-based storytelling, and hands-on stewardship—visitors plant a native tree at a site tended by Uluha'o o Hualalai and break for a locally made lunch in a rustic cabin built by Kimo’s grandfather in the 1950s.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Polaris UTV to High Elevation
Guests ride in a five-passenger Polaris ATV up the mountain to about 7,000 ft, a quick way to reach high, otherwise inaccessible terrain and begin the crater-side hike.
Hike Into Craters Closed to the Public
From the UTV drop-off, the group hikes across loose, jagged rock into craters that are not open to the general public—terrain that requires careful footing and a focused, guided approach.
Planting and Lunch in a Family Cabin
The experience includes planting a native tree at a site maintained by Uluha'o o Hualalai and enjoying a locally made lunch in a rustic cabin constructed in the 1950s by Kimo’s grandfather—an intimate gesture of cultural and ecological care.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
The trip unfolds as a compact, hands-on exploration: a short Polaris ride up the mountain, a hike over rough, unpredictable surfaces to restricted crater rims, a ceremonial tree planting, and a relaxed lunch in an old family cabin—an exclusive, appointment-only visit led by Kimo and operated by Uluha'o o Hualalai.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits—and who should reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The experience runs approximately five hours and is offered by appointment only; capacity is limited to five people per Polaris UTV. Operated in Kaloko by Uluha'o o Hualalai and hosted by guide Kimo.
Closed-toed shoes are required for the hike. Weather can shift from hot and sunny to foggy and chilly—bring a lightweight jacket, sunscreen, and a camera. Locally made snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are provided.
A locally made lunch is provided at the site in a rustic cabin on the property.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Hualālai Crater Experience?
The outing lasts approximately five hours.
How many people are in a group?
The Polaris UTV carries a maximum of five passengers; the experience is intentionally small and by appointment only.
What should I wear and bring?
Closed-toed shoes are required; bring a lightweight jacket, sunscreen, and a camera. Weather can change rapidly between sun and fog.
Are food and drinks provided?
Locally made snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are provided, and the trip includes a locally made lunch served in a rustic family cabin.
Who leads the tour?
The experience is guided by Kimo and operated by Uluha'o o Hualalai.
Will I get to see areas closed to the public?
Yes—the hike reaches crater areas that are not available to the general public.