Go for a Zip on Hawaii's Longest Side by Side Zipline at Piiholo Ranch

Excerpt from I Need to Get L'eid from the Teresa the Traveler series of books. Dale rummaged through the stack of pamphlets stashed in his glove box until he came across one called Piiholo Ranch Zip-Line. I punched the address into my GPS and guided him to 3620 Baldwin Avenue, Makawao.
    We arrived at the check in office only to discover they were booked solid for the day. Visitors were required to book tours in advance.  My smile dropped and I stared at the poor lady through distraught eyes explaining that I was there to write a book and make a YouTube video on zip-lining.  I handed her my business card and asked if she knew of any nearby zip-lining companies that might be able to fit the three of us in at the last minute.  She pondered my request then told me to hold on while she contacted the operations manager.
    About fifteen minutes later, a dashing gentleman arrived introducing himself as Jeff Baldwin.  I shook his hand and introduced myself as Teresa the Traveler, disorganized travel writer and YouTuber who travels around the world dropping in on people unexpectedly. He laughed and said he would see what he could do to get us onto a zip-line tour.  He insisted we go on the premier 5-Zip-Line Adventure to best experience the beauty of the ranch and the exhilaration of zip-lining.It is their policy to keep the groups small so guests receive more attention from the guides but Jeff kindly made an exception allowing us to jointhe next group.
    The three of us went inside and happily paid for our tours then sat outside on the picnic table talking to Jeff while waiting for the rest of the group to arrive. I learned that Jeff came from a long line of cattle ranchers so I asked what inspired him to get into zip-lining.  He replied that in order to sustain the ranch, his family decided to diversify into eco-tourism.  He had only recently added the zip-line to the property which had already been offering horseback adventures.  He also added that his family “have always been happy to share their love of the land and its natural history”. 
    When the guides arrived and started fitting us with our zip-line gear I noticed Francine start to shake. I asked her what was wrong and learned she was afraid of heights.  Climbing to the top of a tower terrified her, let alone crossing the valley on a zip-line. However, she was determined to overcome her fear so she forced herself to come on the tour.  I asked Dale if he was afraid and he answered no.  He couldn’t wait to get out there.  Aside from a possible fear of commitment, he didn’t seem to be afraid of much.  I am sure if he was allowed he would douse himself with gasoline and start a new sport called fireball zip-lining. I was nervous and apprehensive and Dale’s blasé attitude was driving me nuts. When we received our helmets I implied he didn’t need one accusing him of having nothing to protect - try as I may, I don’t always have control over my inner bitch.  Dale’s disposition was similar to that of a golden lab and my comment drifted right over his head.  Why did he have to be so darn friendly and likeable?       
    I had been zip-lining once before in Costa Rica on a rainforest canopy tour and was expecting the gear to be a standard waist belt.  Instead we were fitted with comfortable full body harnesses.  Jeff explained that the custom-made harnesses were designed to resemble those used for paragliding.  Wow! This was a first class operation.  I quietly thanked the Universe for landing us on Jeff’s doorstep.
    Gear in hand, our group crossed the suspension bridge and made our way to the meeting area for a safety briefing. We sat in a circle on tree stumps while a spunky lady in braids and two young men taught us the ins and outs of zip-line safety.  Next we walked to the first zip-line, a short four-person line designed to give us the opportunity to practice our newly learned skills before riding the longer lines.  I lugged my trolley up the staircase and handed it to the guide in charge of attaching us to the line.  Once all four of us were in place, he yelled 3...2...1...go!  
    How exhilarating!  I was having so much fun flying through the air I almost forgot to keep my eyes on the coach who was instructing me to get into landing position – legs crossed and straight out in front.   I crossed my legs moments before I hit the line brake and came to a screeching halt.  That wasn’t so scary I said to Francine who was grinning ear to ear. One of the guides wheeled the stairs over, unlatched my trolley and helped me down.  I couldn’t wait to ride the next four lines.             

Preserving the Land
    When we got to the next line, we had to walk up a long wobbly extension bridge.  This traumatized Francine more than the zip-lining part.  I wasn’t sure if she was going to climb to the top or give up all together.  Dale tried to make her feel better by telling her that Fear is only the manifestation of being scared.  Oddly enough that didn’t help.   
    Jeff had come out and joined our group and when he saw how scared Francine was, he went over and talked to her.  I am sure he has seen his share of zip-whiners and knew just what to say to ease her troubled mind.  With his support and encouragement, Francine cautiously made her way up the ramp where I was already attached to the line and eager to go.  I wasn’t as compassionate as Jeff. As Francine was getting hooked to the line I looked over and jokingly said, “I hope you’re wearing some Depends!”
    After completing our first three zips, we stopped at the tree house for a snack and a beautiful view of the valley.  We had another chance to chat with Jeff and he told us about his family’s commitment to preserve the land for future generations.  Their efforts have included inviting some of Hawaii’s leading botanists and biologists to the ranch to identify the important plant and bird species that co-exist on the land so they can protect them.  Piiholo Ranch is home to a number of native Hawaiian bushes such as Pukiawe and Kopiko (in the coffee family), verdant ferns, like the Hapu‘u, prolific Ama‘u, Uluhe, Kupukupu, and Palapalai (used by hula dancers).  It is also home to a species of endangered Hawaiian Bats who come out of their dens in the evening.
    Jeff’s brother Duke Baldwin, the Natural Resource Manager, is dedicated to “putting back into the land what generations have taken out”.  His hands on approach involves protecting and replanting native plants (such as the Koa tree), building ponds, monitoring the bird population and controlling invasive plants.  For more information on Duke’s efforts and the Piiholo Ranch, visit their website at www.piiholo.com.