Ka'u Mountain Water Systems Hike

Olson Trust land manager John Cross discussed plans for a hydroelectric plant using water from former plantation water sources during yesterday's Ka'u Moutain Water Systems Hike. Photos by Andrew Richard Hara

The Ka'u Mountain Water Systems Hike yesterday led walkers from 25 to 75 years of age onto old plantation trails, into the rainforest above Wood Valley Road and to old tunnels and water systems once used to carry sugar cane to the Pahala sugar mill. The event, one of many during the ten days of the Ka'u Coffee Festival sold out, and Ka'u Coffee Mill representatives said they plan to offer the hike on a regular basis.

During the trek, Olson Trust land manager John Cross explained plans to use the plantation water sources for a new hydroelectric plant that will run Ka'u Coffee Mill and other farm enterprises as well as provide irrigation water for crops like taro and watercress. Shalan Crysdale, Hawai'i Island Director for The Nature Conservancy, talked about the rainforest and the preservation of the watershed and endangered species, as well as a partnership with landowner Edmund C. Olson Trust II to eradicate invasive species such as kahili ginger from the native forest.

The next Ka'u Coffee Festival event is Coffee & Cattle Day tomorrow, Friday, May 3 at Aikane Plantation Farm with lunch and a tour of coffee, protea, cattle, horses and other farm enterprises on the cane haul road between Pahala and Na'alehu. The cost is $25 per person. Call 808- 927-2252 for reservations.

Also on Friday is Ka'u Star Gazing on Makanau Mountain at 5:30 p.m., meeting at the Edmund C. Olson Trust II building on the corner of Maile St. and Pikake St. in Pahala. The $35 per person event is sold out and includes a talk from an 'Imiloa astronomer, as well as Ka'u Coffee and snacks.

The Nature Conservancy Hawai'i Island Director Shalan Crysdale talked about rainforest preservation.