Hilo, Hawai`i — The Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge will hold our first annual Walk For the Wild at Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge on October 15, 2022, featuring a 3K walk beginning at the Pua Akala Barn and a 500 foot elevation loss and gain.

The Refuge will be open for the first time in four years for you to enjoy the forest and learn about the refuge, and its plant and animal inhabitants from an all-star team of experts stationed along the route.

Educational displays will also be located in the Pua Akala barn with representatives from several groups in our conservation and education family.

Pre-registration will be required. Registration closes Friday, September 30.

Please visit our website to register: https://support.americaswildliferefuges.org/team/443695

The Pua Akala gate will open at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 9:30 a.m. The day will end when the gate closes at 3 p.m.

Access to the Refuge is via the UNPAVED Maunakea Access Road. 4 wheel drive or high clearance vehicles are strongly recommended. Plan appropriately and drive at your own risk. The event staff will be unable to assist with vehicles that get stuck.

We recommend carpooling as parking is limited.

Important requirements to help us to protect the Refuge from the introduction of alien species:

- Inspect and clean all gear and equipment before going to the refuge especially footwear, jackets, and food containers. This is especially important for interisland participants.
- Clean all vehicles - seats, floor mats, tires, wheel wells and vehicle undercarriages
- Pack out all your trash (including organic trash such as apple cores etc) and uneaten food.
- We will have a spray bottle with 70% rubbing alcohol to spray footwear before you start the walk to kill ROD (rapid ohia death) spores.
- What to bring: Water, lunch, raingear (weather will be cool with rain possible), hat, sunscreen, binoculars
- NO ANIMALS ALLOWED

For more information contact: friendsofhakalauforest@gmail.com