Should be Renamed UberPeople

This is for sure a Really Hawaiian thing – where else could can you watch someone swim, bike and run around an Island inside of 3 days? We see it all here in Hawaii.  This is the destination spot for tri-athletes.  And this is the ultra event for tri’s.  First you swim 6.2 miles (on average about 3 hours), then you bike for 261.4 miles and then you run for 52.4 miles.  Each day goes from 6AM to 6PM – whatever you can do in that time period is registered and at the end the daily scores are added up and a winner announced.  Who the heck cares about the numbers, just being invited to compete (it’s invitational only) to this event is phenomenal. There are no prizes, no cash, no live web video, no more nothing.  With limited sponsorship and a reputation that few can even comprehend, this 26th annual event was none-the-less amazing to watch and attend.  Our timing was perfecto!  Above are shots of the first and second place winners and then photos our friend Laurie Beers, a super friendly lifeguard in Hawaii who has completed this event 7 times.  Good GREAT job Laurie!

The support teams for these “uber” athletes are family and friends.  For three very concentrated days they support their athlete with all sorts of needs – from fixing busted equipment and managing all their housing and nutrition needs to running along side for motivation.

The energy amongst the teams is friendly and very supportive.  Overall, Ultraman is really just a bunch of nice people who have accomplished their goal and are not there for the money, media or attention.  Hardly any locals knew this event was going on – there were no water stops by volunteers, the need for VIP hang tags or the aura of a spectator sport.     These uber athletes mustered the courage to go it alone, no hurrahs, no big bands, no TV sponsorships. These are one very dedicated group.  Congratulations Ultraman (people).  What’s next?

Today is Wednesday – time to divuldge what kept us from meeting our Tuesday publishing deadline.  We went on a field trip to North Kohala to see the waterfalls!  Traveling with Hawaii Forest and Trail we entered a magic world. Even tho we live on the Big Island, there are places mere mortals can not go without permission from special people.  Hawaii Forest and Trail know some very special people.

The adventure started at 7AM when we departed from the HFT Kona headquaters.  En route to North Kohala, where King Kamehameha was born and his legend began. Where water has played an important part in the dramatic landscapes of valleys, streams, cliffs and culture of North Kohala for as long as time can tell.   

With Mark as our official guide, guru, driver and all around great guy, we arrived safely in Hawi where we transferred our official vehical – a circa 1980’s Pinzgauer High Mobility All-Terrain Vehicle.  This is a military multi-purpose offroad truck – it goes bump bump bump and is a lot of fun.  Plus it takes us places we couldn’t get to easily. Through a stream and tight corners we were whisked (literally) to the start of the hike.  Bump bump bump.

Beginning with samples of natural growing fruit – strawberry guava – a bit tangy but nice,  we headed out on the trail and to our first waterfall.  Back to the time of the 1900’s when plantation owners first started to build the Kohala Ditch Trail to bring much needed water to the sugar cane fields.  Over bridges, past blasted lava rock tunnels, through the forest and into the past we went. 

Mark graciously shared with us his stories of Hawaii – born on Oahu and a local boy at heart.  His knowledge of Hawaii, the people, the land, the language, the birds, fauna and well everything was super cool, 100% interesting and spiritual all at the same time.  At one point we stood on a cliff overlooking what can only be described as a "blissful" gorge, Mark told us a story about ancient breathing techniques and one in particular he asked us to try with him.  With his direction, we took several deep breaths in and out.  Then we just stood in silence.  A light breeze came up through the gorge and we all felt the energy and calm.  The day continued just like that – with a lot of great energy and ease.

Our path to each waterfall was a mini-adventure. We traveled about 1.5 miles of a looped trail.  All the trails are very well marked, the steep parts were easy thanks to a support system using logs and planks and with the exception of one path where a tree crashed and Mark had to pull out a very big knife ("that’s not a knife – this is a knife" line from Crocodile Dundee came to mind) to hack it out of our way, the hiking was a breeze (breathe in, breathe out).   

At the conclusion of the trail, Mark brought the Pinzer to our forest doorstep and off we went en route to a special luncheon spot.  Whoa – this private spot is well known in postcards – but we’ve never seen it "live" and up close.  Through a few locked gates and again more bump bump bumps, the Pinzer landed (that word seems appropriate) at the famous Kohala Mule Station.  Built around 1905 the Mule Station was built to support the Kohala Ditch construction and maintenance.  The Pololu Valley view of the rugged Kohala Mountains and coastline is one of the islands best.  We enjoyed a yummy lunch from a local shop, talk story with new friends, and really good vibes in North Kohala.  Before heading back, we stoped for a short coffee  / ice cream / fudge break in Hawi.  Did we say FUDGE?  That’s right, and yes-siree did we find some amazing homemade 100% Hawaiian chocolage fudge. But we’re saving it for next weeks "If it’s Wednesday it must be chocolate" special announcement.  Stay tuned.

Mahalo to Hawaii Forest and Trail for one of the best ever adventures!  And a special Mahalo to Krystal at Hawaii Forest and Trail for her graciousness and sense of adventure.  The whole HFT team is super – call them today to book an adventure you will treasure forever. 

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