Waimea Valley has announced its 2009 Hiking Series, featuring a variety of hikes, from easy to moderate family walks to strenuous five-hour scrambles.

There will be valley hikes every Saturday, with the last Saturday of each month featuring a strenuous hike for the more serious hiker. Guides will help hikers identify native and exotic plants, view various streams and the Waimea Waterfall, point out native oopu (fish), rare endemic aquatic moth pupa, and showcase the Valley's indigenous birds.

The cost for the Family Hike series is $5 per person plus the cost of admission to the Valley. Space is limited to 20 participants and reservations are required.

Participants in the Family Hike series must be at least 7 years of age and accompanied by an adult. Participants for all other moderate to strenuous hikes must be at least 12 years of age and accompanied by an adult.

The five-hour hikes are $10 per person plus the costs of admission. A minimum of 5

participants are required for the hike to take place. Reservations are required no later than the Friday before the Saturday hike.

Registration is at 8:30 a.m. at the Waimea Valley Visitor Center. Hikes start promptly at 9 a.m. and short hikes end at 12:30 p.m.

Participants should bring a snack, insect repellent, sunscreen and water. Closed-toe, non-slip hiking shoes are required, without exception.

General Admission Fees to Waimea Valley: $10 adults, $5 youth ages 4 to 12 or seniors ages 60 and older; $6 kamaaina and military adults, $3 kamaaina and military youth and seniors.

For more information, visit http://www.waimeavalley.net. For reservations, call 638-7766.