Run For the Dry Forest 2025

Name: Run For the Dry Forest 2025
Start: 2025-10-18T06:45:00
End: 2025-10-18T12:00:00
Location: Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a Forest Reserve

6:45am to Noon

Online registration opens on Monday, August 4th, 2025.

Saturday, October 18th is the 18th Annual Run for the Dry Forest.

Get ready - the Run for the Dry Forest (RDF) is returning to Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a!

The RDF is a 10km run, 5km run/walk and 1/4-mile keiki fun run. You can choose to run or walk a 5km course (suitable for most people) or do a 10km run (an "extreme trail running experience" featuring a 1200 ft elevation gain in the first 3 miles). There is also a free, non-competitive 1/4-mile keiki fun run on flat surfaces (parents are welcome to join the kids). There will be environmental educational booths to explore and interpretive trails to stroll along.

It’s fun for the whole family.

Online registration opens on Monday, August 4th, 2025.

Registration is required and there will be no race-day registration. Sign up early, as prices will increase as race day approaches.

Staggered registration rates are as follows:

Adults

August 5th - August 31st: Early Bird rate - $40.
September 1st to October 12th: General Admission rate - $45
October 13th - 17th: Race Week rate - $65

Keiki running the 5k or 10k

September 1st to October 12th: General Admission - $25
October 13th - 17th: Race Week Rate - $30

This year we are going to continue to go cupless! In an effort to reduce waste, we are including a collapsible, reusable race cup in each registration packet

Every 5k & 10k runner will receive a race shirt with this year’s featured plant and a reusable cup.

No Pets Allowed

Do not bring pets to the event since there are endangered nēnē geese in the area: no dogs allowed.

Help us protect native wildlife! Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a is home to several species of endangered birds and many endangered plants, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. Proceeds from the race events contribute to conservation efforts of these species.

10 km Race will start on time at 7:45 am:

The 10 km loop course is a challenging trail running experience, featuring 1200 feet of elevation gain in the first half (3 miles), loose rocky footing and narrow winding trails. Start at the Meeting House and run one lap around the reservoir before heading up the steep and winding 4wd road. From the crest above Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a (the half-way point) you may be able to see Hualālai, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and Kohala. Circle the cinder cone and enjoy the fast single track descent through an old corral and horse pasture, to the finish at the Meeting House. This event is for experienced trail runners only. Baby strollers are not allowed.

5 km Run / Walk Race will start on time at 8:00 am:

The 5 km course includes stretches of dirt, coarse rock, and paved roads. Suitable for most people, including families. Because of the rocky sections, sturdy running or walking shoes are recommended and baby strollers should have large wheels. There is 300 feet of elevation gain/loss along this loop route. Start at the Meeting House and circle the reservoir once before heading up the dirt road past the parking area to the main ranch road. Turn left and proceed down the paved road about 1.1 miles. You will be directed left again over a section of rocky road for about 1/4 mile to the old airstrip. Continue down the airstrip and turn left after the airplane hangar. The trail goes uphill, through an open gate and back to the Meeting House.

This year’s featured plant is Pāpala (Charpentiera obovata)

Keiki Fun Run Start time ~ 9:30 am (Tentative):

A free, non-competitive event that is approximately ¼ mile distance around the reservoir. Parents are welcome to join the kids. Start time is dependent on finish times for 5k and 10k runs.

Directions

From Kailua Kona:

Take the Māmalahoa highway (190) north past Makalei golf course. After the 22 mile marker, and just before ascending the bluff to Pu‘u Anahulu, watch for the Forest Reserve entrance on the mauka (uphill) side. Enter through the metal gate and close behind you, take the right-hand fork in the road up ~1.6 miles and follow the signs to the race parking area. Allow ~35 minutes to reach the highway entrance from Kailua Kona, and 45 more minutes to reach race headquarters.

From Waimea:

Take the Māmalahoa highway (190) south past the Big Island Country Club. After the 21 mile marker and just after descending the bluff, watch for the Forest Reserve entrance on the mauka (uphill) side. Enter through the metal gate and close behind you, take the right-hand fork in the road up ~1.6 miles and follow the signs to the race parking area. Allow ~35 minutes to reach the highway entrance from Waimea, and 45 more minutes to reach race headquarters.

Parking

There will be parking in a large mowed field near the race start/finish ~2 miles up from the main highway gate. Bring your race gear and walk down to the registration and start/finish area (about a 5~10 minute walk).

Divisions & Prizes

Age group awards, male, female, and non-binary in the following divisions (lots of great door prizes – all participants eligible!):

5 km run/walk: 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & over
10 km run: 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & over

Volunteers

If youʻd like to volunteer for this event, please contact napuuconservation@gmail.com‍

In Partnership With

“The Run for the Dry Forest- Puʻuwaʻawaʻa” is a partnership between the Akaka Foundation for Tropical Forests, the U.S. Forest Service, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, the Hawai‘i Experimental Tropical Forest, the Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund, and the Hawai‘i Division of Forestry and Wildlife.