Local Expert
Brenda Yun
I'm a surfer girl and freelance writer who can't seem to get enough out of life abroad. Despite my frequent travels, my life in Hawaii (namely, my six-year old pug Iris) keeps me grounded. Here…
I'm a surfer girl and freelance writer who can't seem to get enough out of life abroad. Despite my frequent travels, my life in Hawaii (namely, my six-year old pug Iris) keeps me grounded. Here in Honolulu, buildings pop up like tourists wearing tacky aloha shirts, shops come and go like the trade winds (but ABC stores never close), traffic is part of keeping Hawaiian time--there's no wonder the speed limit is 50, but the feeling of stepping off the plane and walking in the open air to the baggage claim is unmistakable.
I heart Hawaii. I heart spam musubi and plate lunch. I heart crowded line ups at Diamond Head and Straight Outs. I heart Bruddah Iz. I heart the feeling of shedding skin as I drive through pineapple fields in to Haleiwa. The pot of gold is found in the Rainbow State. Hop on over to the "Rock" and see.
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Paniolo Country
As strange as it may seem, the Big Island boasts over 10,000 acres of working cattle ranches in the upcountry of Kohala Mountain. The spectacular scenery in this area includes the Kohala and Kona coastline, Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Hualalai Volcanoes, and even Haleakala Volcano on Maui. The views here can be enjoyed by foot or by horseback. At 3,000 feet in elevation, there are even ancient Hawaiian ruins where King Kamehameha once trained his warriors as well as real paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys) still practicing their own brand of country life.
One of the best paniolo outfitters and tour companies, Paniolo Adventures, offers 5 unique tours and horseback rides, ranging from an hour-long City Slicker walk to a 4-hour Wrangler Ride. Picnic and sunset rides are also very popular.
Whatever your fancy, the Open Range tours make for a great activity and cultural introduction to country life on the Big Island. If you choose to ride by horse, knowledgeable wranglers will select the right horse for you based on your height, weight, and riding experience.
#808-889-5354
Mile 13.2 on Kohala Mountain Road (Highway 250)
North Kohala, HI
www.panioloadventures.com