State Sen. Sam Slom will undergo coronary bypass surgery this week, according to his office.

Slom, the only Republican lawmaker in the 25-member Senate, was hospitalized last week.

“Although I would prefer to be present at (today’s) floor session, my doctors assure me that having this routine surgery at the earliest date ensures my ability to be present for the final vote in the best of health,” Slom said in a written statement Monday. Slom represents Hawaii’s 9th Senatorial District in Diamond Head, Kahala and Hawaii Kai.

Birding trail across Big Isle to open in fall

KAILUA-KONA >> A 90-mile trail across Hawaii island will soon open up to allow visitors from around the world a close-up view of Hawaii’s rare birds.

A committee comprising birding enthusiasts, an outdoor group and eco-tour operators will open the trail for bird viewing this fall. The committee is finalizing its plan for the trail, which will also include a two-day festival in Keauhou featuring birding tours and guest speakers, West Hawaii Today reported.

“Florida has an amazing bird trail system, and many other states have them, and it’s definitely time for Hawaii,” said Gretchen Grove, a wildlife artist and wife of Big Island bird photographer Jack Jeffrey.

The Hawaii Island Coast to Coast Birding Trail will stretch from Kona to Hilo, starting from the west at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, where visitors can catch glimpses of golden plovers, herons and petrels. The trail will also lead people north to chestnut-bellied sandgrouse territory near Puuanahulu and then on to Old Saddle Road, where birders might be able to spot Hawaiian hawks and owls.

Other rare birds in the area include the amakihi, elepaio and crimson iiwi.

“Hopefully, this is just the first trail that will eventually connect other resources, then other islands can develop their own trails,” said Rob Pacheco, owner of Hawaii Forest & Trail and a member of the committee that formulated the trail system.

The trail is receiving financial and administrative support from the Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii.