Monday: Plan hike for Waimanu trek /// Hiking pack demo /// Prep meals for Waimanu Trek

Today we sat down with the Farm to Table interns to discuss the meal plan for the upcoming 3-day hiking and camping trip. We collectively created a menu that would be nutritious, filling, and easy to pack. We took time to help prepare the food in order to be sure everyone, individually and collectively, would have enough to sustain themselves during camping. Later on, we sat everyone down and discussed the hike in detail. We explained what essentials would need to be packed and gave a demonstration on how to efficiently fit everything in your pack. By the end of the day, people were prepped and excited for their upcoming trip!

Tuesday: Hawaiian murals for Big Island Farms proposed plan /// Prep meals and pack bags for Waimanu Valley trip /// Tī leaf lei workshop (hoʻokupu for Waimanu)

 

Today we prepared the rest for the Waimanu trip. We checked with everyone going on the trip to make sure they knew what to pack in their backpacks. Clare did a workshop on what to bring exactly, along with the best way to organize your pack. We then worked with everyone going on the Waimanu trip to do a lei workshop as our offering to get into Waipi’o/Waimanu.

 

Wednesday: Leave for Waimanu /// The ones who stayed back

 

 

Today, we headed out for the trek of a lifetime. Hikers left the farm ready for 16 miles (roundtrip) of intense, challenging, and breathtaking experiences. As outdoor recreation interns, our role was to be sure everyone was prepared and packed properly. We also had the responsibility of taking care of the trail and ensuring our group was doing what the rangers asked and expected from us. Our collective tasks in Waimanu Valley included testing water samples, moving and collecting trash, and taking pictures of fallen trees on the trail.

For the few of us that made the decision not to attend the hiking trip, we were given the responsibility of starting a mural on the farm. We painted waves, trees, sun, and flowers to highlight the Hawaiin experience we are incurring. Through this mural, we hope to create a connection between our time on the farm and the feelings of this Hawaiian community experience.

 

Thursday: Holiday

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Fourth of July! The hikers woke up in the beautiful Waimanu Valley today and were able to enjoy their time off by exploring, relaxing, and cracking open coconuts. Our crew felt accomplished and amazed by the miles we just completed. The incredible views of the day included a magical sunrise that engulfed the entire valley, a huge waterfall, a black sand beach, and a colorful sunset. The waterfall, Waihīlau Falls, is 3,500 feet and one of the tallest single drop waterfalls in the US.

 

About eight people in our group decided to head back to the farm this morning instead of staying the two nights that were planned for the trip. We headed out onto the trail around 7 am and got into Waipiʻo Valley by 12 in the afternoon. From there we wanted to get back to the farm and see what the rest of the people were doing who stayed back from the trip. We met up with the people on the farm who went to Hilo for the day. We then headed into Honokaʻa town to start our 4th of July thrift shopping. Once we got back from town, we started the most epic Menehune dance party the farm has ever seen!

For those of us back on the farm, we enjoyed a nice day into Hilo. We visited the beach, went to a vintage car show, and ate at a top-rated restaurant. We are thankful everyone was safe and had fun celebrating their independence!

 

 

 

Friday: Hike back from Waimanu Valley

 

 

 

Slowly but surely, the hikers arrived back to the farm from Waimanu. The fastest people finished in 3 hours and some took their time and enjoyed a dip at the beach in Waipiʻo Valley. We were all so happy everyone arrived back safely! The rest of the day was spent relaxing and rehydrating to recover from the miles hiked.