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Backcountry Hawaii
 Last Update : Jan, 2011 After September 11, 2001 the Transportation Security Agency (U.S. government agency) placed major restrictions on the transport of potentially hazardous material and equipment, including fuels and stoves normally used for backpack trips. It is no longer permissible to transport: Gaseous fuel (propane, butane, iso-butane, etc.) Liquid inflammable fuel (gasoline, kerosene, "Coleman fuel", etc.) Matches (except for 2 books of paper matches in carry-on baggage) Lighters
(except a Zippo in a TSA-approved container) New or used gaseous fuel stove New or used liquid fuel stove Alternative solutions
Open fire - almost always prohibited in National and State parks Enclosed wood fire - "Sierra"-type metal stoves burning twigs, etc. Good only for 1-3 individuals. May be confiscated by TSA anyway. Solid fuel stove - "Esbit"-type stove burning a solid fuel tablet. Good only for 1-2 individuals. Often not recognized as a "stove". Alcohol fuel stove. Not as efficient as gas/gasoline stoves, but may be passed by TSA as it has no odor when dry. Alcohol can easily be purchased in many drug stores (90% Isopropyl "Rubbing" Alcohol ).or Denatured Alcohol at home repair, paint and marine stores. Purchase a
stove
and fuel
upon arrival and discard it upon leaving. An expensive solution. A
single burner propane stove ($20.00) and a bottle of propane
($5.00) should last a group for a dozen meals or more. Burner 24 oz,
bottle 31 oz, total 55 oz or about 3-1/2 lbs for $25.00. Rent or borrow a stove on location. Not many places have rentals. A local hiking organization may have an arrangement to lend a stove to visiting backpackers. Any other suggestions?
Available
fuels
in Hawaii As of July, 2011 (availability not guaranteed) White gas / Coleman fuel can be purchased at sporting goods stores throughout Hawaii. (1 qt @ $5.00) Propane, 14.1 and 16.4oz cylinders can be purchased at hardware stores in Hawaii (16.4 oz @ $3.00-6.00).<<NOTE>> The empty steel bottle weight not included; approx. 10 oz so a full 16.4 oz bottle weighs about 27 oz (1.6 lbs). Butane and Iso-butane cannisters (threaded top type) may be found at some Island stores. 100 g cartridge @ $5.00, 220 G cartridge @ $7.00 Oahu - Sports Authority (Honolulu, Kapolei, Waikele) Maui - Sports Authority (Kahului), Big Island - Hilo Surplus, Sports Authority (Kailua-Kona) Kauai - in Hanalei, Pedal & Paddle or Kayak Kauai <<NOTE>> Empty cartridges weight about 5 oz, so a full 227 gram (8 oz) cartridge weights about 13 oz; a full 100 gram cartridge weights about 8 oz. (smaller). Alcohol - Methyl, Isopropyl or denatured: - 90% Isopropyl alcohol available in drug stores - Denatured alcohol available at hardware, paint and marine supply stores - HEET - yellow (Methyl) or red (Isopropyl) in many auto supply stores Oahu - West Marine, Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace Hardware, True Value Hardware, City Mill Maui - Big Island - Kauai - Solid fuel (Esbit) - sporting goods stores (erratic supply) Sterno (and others) - 7 oz can - $4 - many stores, including Safeway, Longs Drugs, etc. How much fuel do I need? Here are some guidelines / average numbers. Assume 2 cups boiling water per person / per meal 2 person backpack eating 3 meals / day = 3 quarts of boiling water
* Most solid fuel tablets can be extinguished and re-used. All estimates are at minimum (optimistic) levels. Weather, altitiude and wind can drastically increase fuel usage. More lavish meals or colder weather will increase fuel usage. Purifying water by boiling will increase fuel usage. Loaners In Hawaii, almost all inter-island travel is by air, making stoves a major headache. I hope to have a "loaner" stove cached on Maui, Kauai and the Big Island if I can find responsible hosts for the stoves. Most likely they will be either propane or butane stoves. |