Stable’s owner makes good on promise to share

In the devastating aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, Blake Kolona found himself struggling to keep his painting and contracting business afloat. Most of his jobs were canceled, postponed or put on hold indefinitely, and he was forced to sell almost everything he owned, including his house in Wai­kele.

By the next year, Kolona was living in a small condo in Makaha, facing bankruptcy. Concerned about the future, he hiked deep into the valley one day to consider his options.

From atop a ridge, Kolona saw a beautiful parcel that he later learned had been Makaha Resort & Golf Club’s stable. Something about the 7-acre plot called to him, so he tracked down the owner, who hired him to be caretaker for the property.

"There were stalls, an arena and a barn where I lived — but that’s about it," Kolona said. "The stable was in a spectacular setting, but not much had been done about its upkeep."

As Kolona repaired the facilities and groomed the grounds, the place felt more and more like home to him, and he approached the owner about buying it. "He asked what I was going to do with it," Kolona said. "I told him I was going to marry my girlfriend, have kids and do something good for the community."

Although there were other interested parties who were in a stronger financial position, the owner agreed to sell the land to Kolona in 2005 through an owner-financed agreement of sale with a five-year balloon payment.

True to his word, Kolona got married and had children. His company started getting contracts again, and he was able to refinance the property and pay off his original loan in three years.

After work and on weekends, with the help of family and friends, Kolona tore down the old barn and stalls, built a house for his family and invested time and money into landscaping and infrastructure for the Historic Makaha Valley Riding Stables. Now flourishing around arenas, animal pens and an office building are hundreds of plants, including avocado, banana, breadfruit and mountain apple.

There’s also an aquaponics system that yields tilapia, taro, lettuce, tomatoes and sweet potatoes. Kolona and his wife, Carol, give away the fish and crops to visitors, neighbors, ranch employees and the homeless.

"It’s a way to fulfill the promise I made when I was given the chance to buy this land," Kolona said. "My family’s plates are full, and we want to share our blessings."

Long ago, villages dotted Makaha Valley. The Hawaiians fished and grew taro, breadfruit and coconuts. In May the stables began offering 90-minute trail rides into areas of the valley that remain much as they were in ancient times. Midway through the ride, a stop is made at a 150-year-old stone corral, which reveals a panoramic view of Makaha Beach, the ocean and the valley.

"Many people don’t realize how lush the mauka (toward the mountains) side of Makaha Valley is because most of Oahu’s leeward coast is hot and dry," Kolona said. "The trail crosses a stream and passes huge kukui, mango, sandalwood and eucalyptus trees."

On Enoa Tours’ day and twilight visits to the ranch, guests enjoy a horseback ride and a 1.25-mile hike around the ranch and into the valley. Highlights include remnants of an irrigation ditch used by coffee and sugar cane plantations in the 1800s, and Kane­aki Heiau, which scholars believe was built in the 15th century and used at different times as both an agricultural and war temple.

"Makaha Valley still exudes the beauty and spirit of old Hawaii," Kolona said. "We’re fortunate to be able to share that with visitors today while honoring and being good stewards of the past."