E Komo Mai! Welcome to
Run For the Dry Forest 2022
Time: 6:45am to noon
Online registration is now closed.
*You may register in person on the day of the event. Cash or check only.
Cost is $45/entrant for same-day registration.
Saturday, October 22nd is the 15th Annual Run for the Dry Forest.
After two years of Covid-related cancellations and postponements the Run for the Dry Forest (RDF) is back at Pu'uwa'awa'a!
RDF is a 10km run, 5km run/walk and 1/4-mile keiki 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 fun, non-competitive 1/4-mile keiki run on flat surfaces; parents are welcome to join the kids, educational booths, and interpretive trails to stroll along.
It’s fun for the whole family. Online registration is now closed.
*You may register in person on the day of the event. Cash or check only.
Cost is $45/entrant for same-day registration.
While we will have some t-shirts available for same day registration, we cannot guarantee that we will have your size.
No Pets Allowed
Do not bring pets to the event since there are endangered nēnē geese in the area, no dogs allowed.
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 of these species.
10 km Run Race will start on time at: 7:45 am
5 km Run and Walk Race will start on time at: 8:00 am
Keiki Run Start time 9:30 am (Tentative)
A free event. Non-competitive, approximately ¼ mile run 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
Divisions & Prizes
- 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

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.