Two weeks in Kona, Hawaii and I know there's gravel to be had

[velograph]

I've been googling all day and haven't found much info on gravel/unimproved/unpaved/4wd roads for Hawaii. From what I understand a lot of the good stuff is kept on the down low to keep tourists from ruining it for the locals. But I'm a nice guy and all I want to do is grind some gravel.

Any info would be amazing. I'll be in Kona for two weeks staying with a friend who works at a shop in town there. I've got access to a bike and I'll have my gear with me.

Most people want to sit on the beach, and while I plan on doing that quite a bit, I'd never forgive myself if I didn't get some dirt under my belt.

Thanks for reading!

[Chad B]

Just saw two bikepackers in Kauai a few days ago with pugs doing some beach riding....

[caseygreene]

Dude, there's a ton of stuff!
Mauna Kea is the place to check out. There are roads all over the place. And on a Mountain Bike you can ride to the top:
http://www.steephill.tv/2006/mauna-kea/

Also ive always look at the road which goes from Waimea up on the side and around Mauna Kea. It'll spit you out just above the visitor center which sits at 9000ft.

Unfortunately as you alluded to there are not many good maps.

I'm not sure if you can ride there, but there are some beautiful hiking trail in the valleys to the west of Hawi.

For a ride closer to Kona, check out the roads which go upslope from 180 and Holualoa. the pavement usually ends at a gate and from there they head up Hualalai.

If you want a nice beach camping trip ask around how to get to Makalawena.

[DaNM]

I rode the 45 miles from Hilo to Mauna Kea. The 4 mile dirt section above the visitors center was a bit much for my skinny tire rental, had to walk about a 1/3rd of it. I got a ride down after dark. Pretty good shoulder most of the way.
  That was the only riding I did, but I was always looking. I hear access is an issue? I would not ride south of Kona on the main road, but I found a nice single track at the end of Papa Bay Drive. about a 5 mile decent to the shore and a climb out option is paved out of Miloli`i , google earth it, off the beaten path.
 there`s a bunch of gravel grinding at S. point, windy tho. Volcano Park should be ridden. The town of volcano is mtb mini mecca from what I heard. The Puna district looked rider friendly, Rd 137, camp at Mackenzie St park. Some tide pools there are amazing N of the light hose, take a mask and snorkel. Northward to Hilo has wide roads, I would again avoid the main drag N. of Hilo, although Waipio is another mini mtb mecca. Lots of rain up there.
 N. Kona looked a bit flat and hot, good luck and please report back.