Kohala Zipline

A few weeks ago we gave Allison the choice between us going on a whale watching cruise or going on a zipline excursion.  She chose the ziplining idea and so we booked a tour with Kohala Zipline company which have their headquarters located  between Hawi and Kapaau.  http://www.kohalazipline.com/

This morning (Thursday), we arrived at the Kohala Zipline company just after 8:30.  After signing the typical waiver forms, we met our guides, Tammy and Aaron.  They helped us get all of our harness gear on as well as our helmets and gloves before loading us up into the back of an old Swiss army personnel carrier, 6X6 truck.  From there, they transported us to a rugged forested area about 15 minutes away.  

Our gear all laid out and waiting for us.

Ready to go!

6X6 Swiss army truck

Loading us into the truck.

Once our truck left the Hwy, we drove on some very rugged terrain which took us through some macadamia nut orchards and cow pasture.  This pasture was actually carpeted with 3 foot guava trees and we were told that machines are brought in every 6 months to mow down the trees.  The reason that the plants are so thick here is that the cows do find some guava fruit which they eat  and then spread the seed all over with their manure. The macadamia trees are in bloom right now and they gave off such a wonderful fragrance as  we drove through the orchard.  We did buy some macadamia nut honey since being here and we can really notice the similarity between the taste of the honey and the fragrance of the flowers.

The Zipline course that we were taking consisted of 9 ziplines, 4 or 5 suspension bridges and 2 rappels.  Our guides did a great job of teaching us what to do in terms of breaking and different safety concerns and then the real fun began.

Allison with one of the tree platforms over her shoulder and a bridge to her right.

This is me about to rappel off the edge of a platform

This is a view of a section of the course with a platform and different ziplines going off in a variety of directions.

At one point, after rappelling to the ground, we had to hike uphill for a little while to our picnic break location and the location of our next zipline.

This is the launching spot of the zipline at our lunch location will Allison getting ready for this 700 ft zip.

Away she goes!

 As we progressed through the course, the ziplines got longer and longer.  The final line was set up in tandem so that two people could go down at the same time and make a race out of it.  This was the longest line and is 1/4 mile long.

In this final video, Ann and Allison are racing.  They lift their knees up into their chest in a cannon ball position which makes you go faster. 

Ann rappelling from the final platform

Allison stops to pose on her way down.

All done and getting back into the truck

This really was a lot more fun than I expected.  I was really impressed with the guides.  They were very friendly and professional.  Safety is a priority here, and it shows.  It is easy to just relax here and have a good time.  I would definitely recommend this tour.

On the way back to Waimea, we stopped at high scenic spot to enjoy the view.

From here, we can see the harbor, Spencer beach next to it and other beaches in the distance.