What
better place to really ride a horse and get a taste of the
Big Island's Paniolo, or cowboy lifestyle, than Kahua Ranch
with Na'alapa Stables? Kahua Ranch, located in the Kohala
Mountains, was established in 1850 and is one of the oldest
and most diversified ranches in Hawaii. Na'alapa Stables
provide an exclusive horseback riding adventure with quality
horses and open range riding. With hands on instruction
and guidance we not only walk-trot, but also often cantor
over green rolling hills. Today Kahua encompasses about
12,000 acres of some of the most beautiful country you'll
find anywhere. There panoramic views of the coastline, snowcapped
mountains and lush pastureland are dotted with sheep and
cattle.
The
top of the ranch is a wet native rainforest. Green, verdant
pastures slope down to rocky dry lands dotted with ancient
ruins of agricultural sites. In fact these lower elevation
lands were once densely populated farmlands up until the
1850's. The introduction of cattle and upheaval in traditional
land use patterns put an end to this era.
The
very first cattle brought to Hawaii were given to Kamehameha
the first and landed at Kawaihae Harbor directly below the
ranch. The King's Kapu portected them in order to allow
them to pultiply and reporduce. As they spread up into the
mountains, they made farming increasingly difficult for
the Hawaiians. By the time the Kapu was lifted in 1830,
farming was in decline. Kamehameha the third, realizing
the potential of cattle production, brought Mexican cattle
wranglers to the island to teach Hawaiians to ride horses
and work cattle.
It
was a time of great change in Hawaii and some Hawaiian men
took to the cowboy lifestyle whole-heardedly. They were
called "Paniolos", the Hawaiian pronounciation
of "Espanio" or Spanish speaking person. These
early Paniolos, like cowboys everywhere, were a tought and
daring breed. They admired the "Vaqueros", Mexican
cattle wranglers, and imitated their flamboyant style and
manner of dress and added a distincly Hawaiian flourish
all their own. They learned their saddle making skill from
them, creating a unique Hawwain saddle known as the "Hawaiian
Tree". It is still handmade and used by the Paniolo
today. They braided rawhide into ropes and flowers into
hatbands. By the mid 1800s ranches like Parker and Kahua
began to be established. Kahua's paniolos are from old Hawaiian
families that have lived on the ranch for many generations.
The paniolo of today had adapted his traditional skill to
the 21st century, managing herds of Angus and Hereford cattle,
and flocks of sheep in neat rotational grazing pattersn
across the lush slopes of extinct volcanic cinder cones.
Our
wranglers are very knowledgeable in the daily workings of
the ranch as well as the rich culture of the area. They
are very experienced in helping riders feel comfortable
and secure in riding to the best of their ability. This
is definitely a ride the experienced rider will enjoy with
a responsive horse under them and ideal riding conditions.
It is a thrilling experience to cantor thru the beautiful
countryside. All of our rides are catered to the riding
ability of our guests to ensure all have a good time. Kohala
Na'alapa offers daily morning and afternoon rides, as well
as exclusive private and custom rides. We work with Kahua
ranch to provide any number of other ranch experiences along
with horseback riding. Our guests tell us regularly that
we have some of the best horses they've experienced in this
type of operation and we are exceptionally proud of them.
So come and see us for the Hawaiian ranch adventure of a
lifetime.
What
better place to really ride a horse and get a taste of the
Big Island's Paniolo, or cowboy lifestyle, than Kahua Ranch
with Na'alapa Stables? Kahua Ranch, located in the Kohala
Mountains, was established in 1850 and is one of the oldest
and most diversified ranches in Hawaii. Na'alapa Stables
provide an exclusive horseback riding adventure with quality
horses and open range riding. With hands on instruction
and guidance we not only walk-trot, but also often cantor
over green rolling hills. Today Kahua encompasses about
12,000 acres of some of the most beautiful country you'll
find anywhere. There panoramic views of the coastline, snowcapped
mountains and lush pastureland are dotted with sheep and
cattle.
The
top of the ranch is a wet native rainforest. Green, verdant
pastures slope down to rocky dry lands dotted with ancient
ruins of agricultural sites. In fact these lower elevation
lands were once densely populated farmlands up until the
1850's. The introduction of cattle and upheaval in traditional
land use patterns put an end to this era. 
It
was a time of great change in Hawaii and some Hawaiian men
took to the cowboy lifestyle whole-heardedly. They were
called "Paniolos", the Hawaiian pronounciation
of "Espanio" or Spanish speaking person. These
early Paniolos, like cowboys everywhere, were a tought and
daring breed. They admired the "Vaqueros", Mexican
cattle wranglers, and imitated their flamboyant style and
manner of dress and added a distincly Hawaiian flourish
all their own. They learned their saddle making skill from
them, creating a unique Hawwain saddle known as the "Hawaiian
Tree". It is still handmade and used by the Paniolo
today. They braided rawhide into ropes and flowers into
hatbands. By the mid 1800s ranches like Parker and Kahua
began to be established. Kahua's paniolos are from old Hawaiian
families that have lived on the ranch for many generations.
The paniolo of today had adapted his traditional skill to
the 21st century, managing herds of Angus and Hereford cattle,
and flocks of sheep in neat rotational grazing pattersn
across the lush slopes of extinct volcanic cinder cones.