A Hike To Remember

Photos by Jesse Tunison

The 2015 Ka'u Mountain Water Systems Hike was extended an extra day this year to accommodate those interested in joining the hike after all 35 spots for Wednesday's event were filled.

Participants met with their respective guides at the Ka'u Coffee Mill on Wednesday and Thursday morning and were then shuttled to the trail head.

The guided hike - over moderate terrain - wanders through the Hawaiian rainforest of 'ohia, uluhe, hapu'u and many other native plant species as participants are serenaded by endemic birds like the 'apapane, 'amakihi, and 'io. The path follows that of historic flume systems from the sugarcane era that have recently been repaired and are now being reused for agricultural purposes in the Wood Valley area. Eventually these flumes will help generate enough electricity to power the Ka'u Coffee Mill and other agricultural endeavors, such mechanically hulling macadamia nuts. Those on the walk were taken to see the development of the hydroelectric power project. 

Hikers were welcomed to take a further journey to the natural water source, a tunnel, once a lava tube, that contains a naturally forming pool of fresh water, filtered by the native rainforest.

Participants were invited to sit and appreciate the natural beauty of their surroundings as they were given refreshments, pre-packed lunches and talk story about their journey.

This official Ka'u Coffee Festival event was designed and offered by the Ka'u Coffee Mill, a subsidiary of Edmund C. Olson Trust II. Guests were asked to sign-up in advance and pay a fee of $40 per person.

Join us for our remaining 2015 events: Ho'olaule'a - Main Event (May 2), Coffee College (May 3). See our main site for more information: kaucoffeefestival.com.