An Unforgettable Experience at CLIMB Works at Keana Farms Zipline Tour

When CLIMB Works at Keana Farms invited Hawaii Mom Blog to go on their zipline tour, I immediately became excited.

And then I started to get scared.

I've always wanted to try ziplining, but now that I'm older and have a family, I don't do as many adventurous things as I did when I was younger.

But after reading more about the 3-hour tour and safety standards, as well as after reading the many 5-star reviews online, I knew I couldn't pass up the opportunity.

CLIMB, which stands for Challenge, Learn, Inspired, Master, Believe, has a mission to "get people out of their comfort zones in a safe and controlled environment."

And that's exactly what I did - get out of my comfort zone - and I loved every second of it.

After driving to the beautiful north shore of Oahu, we arrived at Keana Farms, where my husband and I checked-in on wall-mounted iPads, signed a disclaimer, and then went to the restroom (no restrooms once on the tour), before putting on our gear.

Our awesome guides - Jon, Kaleo, and Roland

Our guides, Jon, Kaleo, and Roland, helped us put everything on and we were ready to go.

Jon inspecting our gear

Our group consisted of 10 people - 3 couples (including my husband and I, who were probably the second-oldest couple of the entire group), and a family of 4 (2 of which were repeat visitors).  We went around the group and introduced ourselves, and everyone except the two repeat visitors were first time zipliners.

We soon proceeded up a narrow twisted staircase to the first line, which is considered a "practice" line.

I admit my heart was beating out of my chest.

The practice line

The guides explained how to zipline (hold on to the handlebars, put your weight into the harness, don't pull yourself up) and the ZIPKEA braking system.

After Kaleo hooked us up to the zipline, Jon and Roland would radio in from the landing ramp when it was all clear to go.  Kaleo would radio in the names of the zipliners, and if there were any special instructions (e.g. ball-up to go faster), Jon and Roland would advise via the radio.

When it was my turn to go on the line, I actually did a stutter step before finally jumping off the platform.  My initial instinct was to try and pull myself up on the handlebars because of that fear of falling, but I quickly learned to just sit back in the harness.

It was so exhilarating and exciting, and it went by so quickly I didn't really have time to be scared.

And there were 6 more lines to go!

After taking a 1.5 mile drive on an ATV up high into the mountain, we reached the second line, and it started to rain pretty hard.

Riding the ATV to the next line

Seeing the second line got my heart racing again, but I did get more and more comfortable with each line.  Even in the pouring rain it was so much fun soaring over Keana Farms!

There was one petite woman in our group who got stuck on two lines because of the length of the line and the headwinds. She tried her best to ball-up, but she just didn't have enough speed and she got stuck in the middle. In these instances a guide simply assists the zipliner back to the platform.

A zipliner getting assistance

In addition to the 7 ziplines, there's a skybridge, 2 rappels, and 1 ascension.  The ascension was the hardest for me, since I lack upper body strength.  I did pretty well, and had a couple feet left to go to get to the platform, but my arms gave out and I got assistance from the guides.

Jon explaining to us how to rappel to the platform below

Trying my best to ascend to the next platform (notice the huge raindrops!)

Skybridge

There are also four different cameras installed throughout the tour, and you'll have an opportunity to view and purchase photos when the tour is over.

A shot of my husband and me from one of the installed cameras

The lines range in length from approximately 400 feet to 1500 feet, with speeds of up to 40mph (a 2500-ft line is expected to open in a few months).  The highest line is 150 feet above ground.

The last two ziplines are the "trick" ziplines.

On zipline 6, we ziplined backwards doing the shaka (after Jon told us about the origination of the shaka), and on zipline 7, we had to "commit to the flip." Yes, we had to zipline flipped upside down.

Jon showing us how to hang upside down

It's a bummer we don't have the photos for the last line (for whatever reason - possibly the heavy rain - the cameras were inoperable on the last line during our tour), but I'm proud of myself for flipping (even if it was just for a few seconds)!

Water stations are found throughout the tour; at the end of one line there was an opportunity to eat some of the apple bananas grown on the farm, but unfortunately the flies had gotten to it.

Throughout the tour it was so neat to see all that's grown on the farm (papaya, cherry tomato, bitter melon, curry leaf, kale, basil, and so much more - they grow over 1 million pounds of produce a year!), and we also learned a bit about Hawaii's history and how the land was divided into Ahupua`a.

So much is grown at Keana Farms

Roland discussing the Ahupua`a

The three hours seemed to just fly by.

After the final rappel, we all went back to the office, and there was hot chocolate waiting for us!

Our final rappel to end the tour

What a morning!

I was soaking wet and muddy, but I couldn't have been happier!

What an experience!

Ziplining was such an awesome experience, and our guides were fantastic.  They made everyone feel so comfortable and safe, and they were very funny and encouraging.

Despite the heavy rain, everyone in our group had a blast (if it looks like there is a potential for rain, be sure to bring a jacket, and sunglasses are also a good idea to help prevent the rain from hitting you straight in the eyes as you zipline).

The zipliners kept their phones/cameras in their pockets or strapped onto themselves, but if you have a GoPro I highly suggest you take it with you so you can capture some awesome video.

The tour is great for families (children must be 7 years of age or older; if under 80 pounds, they ride tandem with another child or one of the guides), friends, honeymooners - anyone looking for an adventure!

Thank you CLIMB Works at Keana Farms for an unforgettable experience!

CLIMB Works Keana Farms
56-452 Kamehameha Hwy
Kahuku, HI 96731 
808-200-7906

For more information on the CLIMB Works Keana Farms Ziplne Tour, click here.

25% off for active and retired military and kama`aina (must have military or Hawaii resident ID). 

Mahalo to CLIMB Works for hosting our visit.  Gratuities were paid on my own.