Rapid heart rate. Sweating. Heightened senses. Quick, shallow breathing. Decreased ability to feel pain. Increased strength and performance. Dilated pupils. Feeling jittery or nervous.
– These are all symptoms of an adrenaline rush.
Even on Kaua‘i, where people come ostensibly to relax, there are ways to get the ol’ heart racing if you so choose.
Rain or shine, thrill seekers can do it in the dirt (or mud) at Kauai ATV located in Kōloa.
“Ironically, rain was the reason I started Kauai ATV 20 years ago,” says owner Olie Rivera. “I used to go fishing every Friday at Alexander Reservoir. One day the ground was too wet so on a whim, I said to my friends, ‘Let’s buy an ATV!’ When I got home, my wife said, ‘No more toys!’ I said, ‘I’m not buying one. I’m buying 10 and starting a business.’” For more on Olie Rivera and Kauai ATV/Koloa Zipline, go to thisweekhawaii.com/articles.
One guided adventure takes you through 23 miles of diverse off-road trails. Tickle your senses with the sights and sounds of flora and fauna from arid farmland to lush tropical forest with cascading waterfalls. Brief stops along the way highlight famous movie sites, panoramic views and snapshots of our island’s rich history. You’ll enjoy locally made snacks and beverages while frolicking in a freshwater mountain pool.
For starters, there’s Koloa Zipline, Kaua‘i’s longest zipline course. Featuring three of the longest lines on island, including the half-mile Waita line, Koloa Zipline provides the adrenaline junkie three and a half hours of excitement. For the extreme adventurers, their custom full body harness allows upside down, superman, backwards and tandem zipping.
Still not enough of a rush? Check out their sunset night tour. Headlights included, but BYOB (Bring Your Own Bravery).
There are only two ways to see the Nāpali Coast—by air or sea. If you’ve never ridden in a helicopter, might we suggest Kaua‘i as the perfect place to experience the adrenaline rush of flight.
And if there was ever a good guy to talk adrenaline and helicopters with, it’s Maverick Helicopter’s Chief Pilot Brad Blucher. As a Special Warfare Combat Crewman in the United States Navy, Blucher skydived out of helicopters. Later he skydived out of C-130 military cargo planes, chasing 33-foot gunboats into the ocean.
“While I might enjoy a certain amount of risk taking, the reason I chose to fly for Maverick Helicopter was their safety record,” says Blucher. “Maverick’s reputation has always been first and foremost safety, and that reputation is well earned. On our Kauai Explorer Flight, guests soar over two of the most amazing natural landmarks in the entire world—the Nāpali Coast and Waimea Canyon.”
In addition to viewing the 17-mile Nāpali coastline and Waimea Canyon, guests will enjoy flyovers of the Bali Hai Cliffs, Jurassic Falls and Mount Wai‘ale‘ale, one of the wettest places on earth.
