Revved Up At Kualoa Ranch
Aboard an all terrain vehicle at Kualoa Ranch, MidWeek’s resident gearhead takes a ride deep into one of the most beautiful valleys in Hawaii and calls it a great experience
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War II. From this point you can see Chinaman’s Hat and Kaneohe Bay. Don’t worry about taking pictures yet, you’ll pass it again on the way out and it’s then that a surprise awaits. The big steel doors of the bunker are more than just a safety barrier, behind them you will find a mini museum that chronicles the military and Hollywood history of the valley. It is also where guide Nui Makaila will pass on information about the movies filmed there and tales about the stars he has taken for a ride. He’s got a lot of stories, and his easy laugh adds to the enjoyment. Just don’t let his outward appearance startle you. With his large exterior, facial hair and flaming motorcycle helmet, he can look like he just rolled out of a 1970s biker film. But once he gets going, you’ll see the real person.
“Everyone looks at me and gets scared,” he says. “They think I’m a big grump or something, but I just put on a smile and tease them a little bit and it’s all cool.”
On the ride into the valley you will pass markers where block-busters like Jurassic Park, Mighty Joe Young and Pearl Harbor were filmed. From there it’s past a rebuilt Hawaiian village and then on to a visit with the long-time residents of the valley, the cattle.
Although everyone on the ride seemed excited to pass within a few feet of these docile creatures, the animals themselves couldn’t care less.
The calves were a bit more active and attentive, like most youngsters curious about what is happening. But even they bored quickly of the parade and got back to the important business of doing nothing.
Though it will disappoint some to discover the vehicles top out far short of 90, you’ll find the speed comfortable and probably fast enough. For some, in fact, it seemed more than enough. Prior to MidWeek‘s tour, a visitor ran her ATV off the road. She was OK.
“It was pretty rough, but she jumped back up,” says Makaila. “Lucky girl. Not a scratch on her. She was more mad about the dirt on her pants then driving off the trail.”
A stop about halfway through the trip reveals a scene that even Morgan, who grew up on the ranch, calls awe-inspiring.
“I have never gone up there without feeling that way,” he said.
He’s not alone in that appreciation. The beauty of the valley and its relatively untouched nature is what keeps the place busy.
Betsy Nagy, a traveling nurse living in Honolulu, was dragged to the ranch by two of her friends visiting from Chicago. OK, actually one friend, Jonathan Wilcox.
“I didn’t want to come because I tend to be accident-prone,” Nagy says.
And while Susannah Schwacz admitted her nerves were a bit tense at first, they were quickly erased by the views and the fun of riding the ATVs.
“Coming up into the valley and seeing all the mountains surrounding you, it’s so beautiful,” says Schwacz.
Even Nagy had a good time. “She was screaming, ‘This is so awesome!’” Wilcox says.
Although customers come to the ranch for its combination of beauty and fun, Morgan is quick to point out that his staff is a big reason the outdoor adventures have been so successful. Newcomer Kyra Sumida, though misidentified, got some good pub on tripadvisor.com and Makaila is starting to get a reputation of being the star tour guide.
“It’s a lot of fun,” says the Kualoa resident.
“Riding the ATVs, talking to the girls.”
Hey, he’s 23. What kind of answer did you expect?
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