Outdoor Activities: Kualoa Ranch
Established in 1850, Kualoa Ranch is a 4,000 acre ahupua’a or a subdivision that extends from the mountain to the ocean. Committed to being a role model as stewards of the land, Oahu’s working cattle
ranch provides an educational outdoor experience.
Kualoa, which means “long back” perhaps due to the back drop of the Koolau mountain range and Kaaawa Valley was considered a sacred place by ancient Hawaiians. The Ranch’s “Legends and Legacy Tour” traverses visitors through the lush rainforests telling historic stories of old Hawaii. Kualoa Ranch offers a variety of adventure packages:
• Horseback
• ATV
• Jungle Expedition
• Ocean Voyaging
• Hula Lessons
Our family participated in the Hawaiian Fishpond & Garden Tour which took us on a journey through flora and fauna until arriving at one of the ancient innovations of the Hawaiian people – Molii Fishpond. As we learned, using porous lava rocks ancient Hawaiians built walls near the shoreline and a gate leading from the ocean to the fishpond. At a young age, fish would freely pass through the gate, however once a certain size they would be too large to navigate back to the ocean. We were also
fortunate enough to visit the shrimp aquaculture pond and even practiced our net throwing to harvest the translucent crustaceans.
Kualoa Ranch is definitely for anyone who enjoys the outdoors and learning more about the traditions and culture of Hawaii.
About L.P. “Neenz” Faleafine
Bred, born, and raised in Hawaii, L.P. “Neenz” Faleafine is the Founder of social media marketing company, Pono Media. Often described as an Ambassador of Aloha, Neenz shares the traditions, values, and culture of Hawaii as the Executive Editor of Hawaii Traditions. She began her online career with Nononina, Inc. as a writer for their citizen journalism site, Truemors and continues to serve as their Chief Evangelist of leading news aggregation site, Alltop.