This cache's name in Hawaiian can mean an alter, a sacred place of offering. It also means something much more basic. The cache is located in an old sugar cane field but the airport has been here probably since the 50's. The drive to Opolu Airport is a paved road past wind turbines and fields of dairy cattle.
This is a great place to walk and explore the Kohala coastline. Cliffs, breaking waves, and soaring seabirds are just some of what can be seen. The scenery is breathtaking! November through the end of February is whale watching season.
The walk from Parking-1 (if you do the loop) is 2.5 miles total. Much shorter to the cache. If you are in a 4x4 the walk to Upolu Ahu is less than 50 yards. The road can be rough with deep pot holes. If it has been raining those holes are mud pits. A RENTAL CAR IS NOT RECOMMENDED BEYOND P-1. Even walking, it may be necessary to push through tall cane grass not to get your feet all muddy. If you are resourceful a short cut may be found.
Some history:
Sugar cane was king for the east side of the island of Hawaii. From the 1800s until late 1900 sugar employed thousands. Sugar - and the politics associated, is the main reason Hawaii became the 50th state. Sugar met its demise due to rising labor costs (unions) and the Clean Water Act of 1972. Sugar mills would routinely dump their waste into the ocean. The cliffs along this walk show the wanton dumping of trash into our ocean by the industry - and more recently by some of the local fishermen.
This area of Kohala grew a lot of sugar. Rainfall here was less than the cane fields further north. Water, to help increase the sugar content, was transported from the rain soaked valleys via 'flumes'. This 'ahu' is part of that system. There are still operating flumes in Kohala bringing water to farmers and providing commercial ecotours in the area an opportunity to show visitors the history and scenery.
The cache is small. Small tradeables can be taken and left. For now there is a pen. Enjoy the Kohala coast!
Congratulations to DTXHEGARTY for First-to-Find!!!