Those who know me well know that I am always on the look-out for a fun family activities. One day, a co-worker of mine told me that he and his son went ziplining at Haleakala and they had a blast! I told my kids about it and all of us wanted to try it out too. Then we got busy and didn’t get a chance to do it. However, about a month ago, I got an invite from my Twitter friend (now friend IRL) Nathan to try out the Haleakala Ziplines via Skyline Eco-Adventures. I had a conflict in schedule but I told him that my kids and I had been wanting to do that since I had heard a lot of fun things about it.
Today, that “desire” came true for Hapa Boy and I. YES, we went ziplining today! Hapa Girl was bummed that she couldn’t go. There is a weight limit (80 lbs.) and she’s only a little over 60 lbs. I told her that when she turns 80 lbs., I will take her there .
Ziplining was a great experience indeed! To make it easier to describe the trip, let me share some photos and videos together with this talk story:
Our schedule is at 10:00 AM. We arrived on time (sssshhh, HoneyB, I know, it’s a miracle that I arrived on time). Danny Borren, the owner of Skyline Eco-Adventures was there when we arrived. It was very nice meeting him. I was able to personally thank him for letting Hapa Boy and I try out the zip lines. He was equally thankful that we are trying it out and hoped that we’d enjoy them. (oh, I knew he knew we would).
And so at 10AM the tour officially begun. Kumara and Luke were introduced to us as our guide. It’s Kumara’s birthday today (Happy Birthday Kumara!) so it’s extra special that she’s a tour guide for this zipping. Both Luke and Kumara were very friendly and helpful. They surely know how to help take the “jitters away” from the first time zipliner like us. You will see in the upcoming photos later. So let’s move along.
Below is a photo of Luke explaining to us how Skyline Eco-Adventures are helping to protect Maui’s environment. For example, by allotting a percentage of sales to help protect the endangered species of birds native to Hawaii:
The first jump is always the harderst. Hapa Boy volunteered to be the first one to go (after Kumara, of course)
And there he goes! Nice and steady… His reaction to the first one? IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!
After zipline #1 comes zipline #2 (no kidding!) And that’s when my video comes in. My WordPress is giving me a problem uploading the video right now so I will try using YouTube. I’d be back….. (back, and Zipling on Maui part 2 is here)
Ok… are you my twin? We both went Zipping today on separate islands!
I hope your experience was as great as mine was!
This is an excellent eco-friendly opportunity for folks to take part in that doesn’t do much harm for the environment.
I myself today conquered a few height fears by doing the Big Island Ziplines.
I hope I can get to Maui and try those ones… as I heard those ones rock too… even before you posted this!
.-= damon´s last blog ..Ziplining in Paradise Courtesy of KapohoKine Adventures and Umauma Falls Zipline Experience =-.
OK – all working now – and excellent post. I’ve not done the ziplines on Maui – and never been to Big Island yet, though I’m secretly entertaining the idea of skipping Oahu and Maui and heading straight for big isle when I return.
If anyone ever makes it to Koh Samui, Thailand – an island in the south there is some nice ziplining there too.
Anxious to see the video!
.-= Vern ´s last blog ..Technorati Post =-.
Oh man! That looks like such fun!
.-= Secret Agent Mama´s last blog ..Weekly Winners {The 50mm Edition} =-.
That would be a blast! My kids would love ziplining.
.-= Tara R.´s last blog ..Weekly Winners ~ dark and stormy =-.
Liza,
Love the photos and sounds like you folks had just as much (if not more) fun as I did. The No. 5 line is a doosey! My knees were shaking before that one…even though I had done 12 zips prior to that one. You’ll have to try the Kaanapali Course some time. Eight lines of excitement there.
Aloha,
Nathan
.-= Nathan Kam´s last blog ..Edamame and Peanuts…two of my favorite things! =-.
What a great adventure!
.-= Secret Mom Thoughts´s last blog ..Weekly Winners-The Tree Addition. =-.
Looks awesome! That is on our list of must do things!
(hubby did the Kaanapali one…next is my turn! 🙂 )
.-= Sarah, Ohana Mama´s last blog ..Hula Shake Featuring…Sinupret For Kids…The Happy Ending to Our Sicky Fairytale? {linky love!} =-.
How fun! My husband and I did this on Kauai a year ago. It was our first time so zip #1 was a big scary. Zip #2 was a big scary, but by Zip #3…we were getting good at it! I think there were 8 or 9 zips (something like that). I highly recommend the challenge! Your photos look like you had a blast!
.-= carolynUSA´s last blog ..Weekly Winners / Christmas Train =-.
My husband and I always wanted to do ziplining with Skyline but never made it. On our next trip to Maui for sure! Thanks for detailing the tour here. I can’t wait now!
.-= Natasha Cardinez-Singh´s last blog ..Date and Cheese Tarts =-.
I can see that you just are an expert at your field! I’m launching a world wide web website soon, and your details will almost certainly be pretty valuable for me.. Thanks for all your assist and wishing you all the success.
Wow! Looks like so much fun. I’ll have to try it out when we go back for a visit. Really ziplining at Haleakala will be a great fun with family. Thanks for wonderful sharing!!