Day 1: Arrive in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii - there are several choices of accommodation but we really enjoyed Kulaniapia Falls Bed & Breakfast. The old part of the town is very sweet and worth a wander around. You can start birding as you leave the airport but a definite stop should be Klonakapalu Pond only a couple of miles from the airport itself, en route to the B&B.

Day 2: After birding the grounds of the B&B before breakfast, head over to Volcano Park, stopping first at Volcano House (opposite the visitors center). then onto the Lava Plug which has some great birds, finishing your morning down at the water at the end of Chain of Craters Road.

You can get lunch in the town of Volcano and then spend the afternoon back in the park but on the other side of the highway up Mauna Loa Road. Couple of great spots here are the Bird Walk, also known as Kipukapuaulu and then driving on up the road to an area just passed the 2nd cattle grid. The very end of the road is quite a long way up and doesn't offer much more - other than a good view! Back to the Inn for a second night.

Day 3:– Working up the east side of the island stop at Kalopa Recreational Area which is an interesting spot and offers a reasonable opportunity to bird. Keep heading north and then west along the top of the island to Waimea.. Not a great deal to see along the way but lunch at the Hawaiian Cafe is interesting, You can then keep going towards Ha wi, birding en route. After passing through Ha wi (which is a lovely little place) go to the the Mo'okini Luakini Heiau, which is quite difficult to find but offers a great piece of Hawaiian history. Depending on the time of year, this drive can provide great views of whales.

Driving back through Waimea and on down to Paniola keep an eye out for birds crossing the roads. We stayed at the Paniola Greens Resort, Waikoloa which was great.

Day 4:  Take an organized trip with Hawaii Forest & Trail up to the Hake lau Forest off Saddle Road. This is the best way to get the Big Island endemics, and while expensive, is probably a good idea. Stay again tonight at the Paniola Greens resort.

Day 5: Today could offer a good opportunity to combine birding and sightseeing. First a stop on the side of the road at Pu'uanahulu for some finches and a drive through Holualoa onto the Buddhist Temple in Honalo. This route takes you through some nice villages and offers great views.

A trip to Kealakekua Bay offers some good birding with the opportunity to go to see Pu'uhonua o Honaunau and the Painted Church. Back on the highway towards Kona, a stop at the Cafe Shack on the left is a good spot.

A drive back through Kailua-Kona allows you to say you've seen it but not much worth stopping for. You can then stop at Amikapali Pond just north of town (a bit of a walk) which is a great spot. You can then have dinner at the Waikoloa Beach resort before staying for the 3rd night at the Paniola Greens

I'iwi

Elepaiao

Day 8: Good day for a hike in Haena State Park - lots of choices but go prepared. Then drive back down the east of the island to Lawaii for the next 3 nights. Great B&B at Marjorie's Inn. Not an awful lot to see en route - either sightseeing or birding but, depending on the time of year, some of the beach areas could be worth checking.

Days 9: Waimea Canyon should be your destination today - the Ak alai Swamp is a great hike and can provide the endemics but its a large area. We found the same species in the trees at the very end of the road itself, just before the viewpoint. The Canyon is stunning - make sure you stop on the way down!! Try drinks at sunset on the deck of the Sheraton in Poipu and dinner at Paradise restaurant.

Day 10: Nice lazy day to check out the Poipu area or go back to find species you missed yesterday. Depending on the time of year, a boat trip over to Nihau Island could be worthwhile.