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By Jason Ubay
Maui |
“Adventure” and “resort” don’t sound like complementary words, but they’re working together in West Maui.
In January, Kapalua Resort unveiled Kapalua Adventures, a service for the active traveler offering outdoor activities at the 23,000-acre resort and across greater Maui. The first amenity, Mountain Outpost, features eight dual-track ziplines, two suspension bridges, a ropes challenge course and a four-station climbing tower. The ziplines, one of the largest systems in North America, cover nearly two miles, with the longest measuring 2,200 feet in length.
Adam Quinn, Kapalua Resort’s director of resort activities, says the resort, which is owned by Maui Land & Pineapple Co. Inc. (AMEX: MLP), listened to guests and the travel industry and saw a need for adventure activities. Kapalua Resorts has been working on the project for two years, bringing outdoor activities that are also environmentally friendly and educational.
Guests can only reach the Mountain Outpost via biodiesel-fueled Mercedes-Benz Unimogs. The off-road, medium-size SUV-type vehicles transport guests using old pineapple field access roads, minimizing environmental impact.
Base camp is the Kapalua Adventure Center, which has all the necessary outdoor gear and clothing.
It also has a café and a multimedia entertainment and information center. Staff concierges help guests plan activities, including kayaking, hiking and a Maui Gold pineapple tour. The resort has pledged 10
percent of the profits from the Adventure Center to the Puu Kukui Watershed Preserve.
Kapalua Adventures is open to the public, and activities range from $60 to $159.
In August 2007, Kapalua Resort opened the Mauanalei Arboretum Trail and the Village Walking Trail, the first of a planned 100-mile trail system throughout the property. Future plans include mountain biking trails, equestrian programs, and outrigger paddling and sailing programs. The costs of the Adventure Center and Mountain Outpost were not disclosed.
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