In August 2006 members of BSA Troop 304 were invited to participate in a unique adventure hike. We were invited to hike in restricted areas of the Kualoa Ranch. Someone had discovered several plants which were previously believed to be an extinct species. They collected seeds and grew these plants. When this was discovered, the government seized the seedlings since this was now an endangered species and not legal to have. They issued a grant to the Kualoa ranch to maintain this remote area for the endangered plants. The hike was to check on the plants. On this hike was the Ranch owner, 3 Botanists employed by the Ranch, Mr Freeman, Brian Freeman, Paul Freeman, Nomar Pagan, and Genevieve Story-an employee of the ranch and the farrier for their horses and Julie Crocker, Genevieve’s cousin. Since Ms Story knows Mr Freeman, she invited us to accompany them on this hike.
The Troop got a very unique experience. The botanists pointed out native plant species, and introduced species. They showed where they cut down trees which were not supposed to be growing in Hawaii that were crowding out native species. They told us how Hawaii is a unique and isolated location which has a very fragile environment that has been severely damaged by the introduction of non-native plants, and also animals like the rat, cats and pigs. In addition, we carried several seedling coconut trees which we planted high on the ridge. These were heavy. We hiked in an area where there were no trails. We trailblazed our way up a very steep and rugged mountainside until we reached the top of the ridge. Here we took many photographs to document our Troop hike. This was an extremely strenuous hike, but none of us had any problems. We hope that since we did so well and didn’t hold up the hike, we may get invited to hike in special access areas of the Ranch again sometime.
When we got to the top of the ridge line after several hours, we held in place while the Botanists and the owner hiked to the secret area where the endangered plants were growing. They came back after about 30 minutes and we had a trail lunch with snacks we brought along on the hike. We also carried a first aid kit which wasn’t needed, sunscreen, drinking water and cameras in our back packs. We planted several seedling coconuts and then hiked back down the mountain taking care not to dislodge loose rocks or to uproot plants. This was likely one of the better hikes taken by our Troop.
The Troop got a very unique experience. The botanists pointed out native plant species, and introduced species. They showed where they cut down trees which were not supposed to be growing in Hawaii that were crowding out native species. They told us how Hawaii is a unique and isolated location which has a very fragile environment that has been severely damaged by the introduction of non-native plants, and also animals like the rat, cats and pigs. In addition, we carried several seedling coconut trees which we planted high on the ridge. These were heavy. We hiked in an area where there were no trails. We trailblazed our way up a very steep and rugged mountainside until we reached the top of the ridge. Here we took many photographs to document our Troop hike. This was an extremely strenuous hike, but none of us had any problems. We hope that since we did so well and didn’t hold up the hike, we may get invited to hike in special access areas of the Ranch again sometime.
When we got to the top of the ridge line after several hours, we held in place while the Botanists and the owner hiked to the secret area where the endangered plants were growing. They came back after about 30 minutes and we had a trail lunch with snacks we brought along on the hike. We also carried a first aid kit which wasn’t needed, sunscreen, drinking water and cameras in our back packs. We planted several seedling coconuts and then hiked back down the mountain taking care not to dislodge loose rocks or to uproot plants. This was likely one of the better hikes taken by our Troop.
Brian Freeman
SPL
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