Hawaiian Tour of the West

Allan Mendes loves life Paniolo (cowboy). He loves to be on a horse every day. She loves the fresh air and a sense of freedom that come from outside of work. I love her simple but satisfying life.

"When you get home at night, you're tired and hungry, but you're content," Mendes said. "A good meal, hot shower, comfortable bed -.. These are the things that really appreciate it and I always sleep well"

Fourth-generation descendant of immigrants from Portugal's Azores islands, Mendes is a respected farmer and horseman on Maui. He is the owner and operator of Mendes Ranch, Wailuku cattle ranch, which was founded by his grandfather in 1940.

"It was hard for him and his family these days," Mendes said. "Ranch had no water or electricity to the system, and there were only dirt roads on the rocky terrain. But my father, his only son, stuck him."

Earlier this year, Mendes is working with Makena Beach & Golf Resort to open Makena Ranch Paniolo Ultimate Experience. It's two hours riding Amblés three miles to the south-western slopes of Haleakala through a forest in dry areas of the kiawe and wiliwili tree that is home to axis deer and wild boar.

Makena is one of only a few places left in Hawaii, where native wiliwili tree grows wild. The ancient Hawaiians valued wiliwili its light wood, which he used to surf boards, boats and swimmers net support. Unfortunately, over the past five years, the Erythrina gall wasp has destroyed most of the island wiliwili forests.

As the trail winds up, players enjoy views of the ocean, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Molokini and Puu Olai, 360-foot cinder cone, which was created in 1790 during the last eruption of Haleakala. Stone walls mark the boundaries of old villages, some farms are the remnants of a century ago used to have cattle and horses, as farmers waited for ships arriving at Makena Landing, out of the park frequented by kayakers and divers.

From mid-November to mid-May, Makena crowds gather to watch a whale. "In the peak period from January to March, humpbacks breach you can see all along the southern coast of the trail," Mendes said. "The best thing about this ride are the views, you will not see anything like the others of their horseback riding in Hawaii."

The whole trip takes place on the walk, which may not appeal to experienced equestrians. He said that Mendes did not mind the slow pace weakens the experience. "This reflects calmly Cowboys' Horse, brought their cattle when Makena Landing to their upcountry ranches," he said. "Like the Paniolo past, our guests can relax in the saddle and enjoy the magnificent views."

Guide to Rocky Rodrigues is sympathetic storyteller. As an avid rider rodeo bull and bronco riding, keep participants entertained with jokes and anecdotes, all on the road.

young riders keep your eyes open for deer horns on the trail, if you spot one, they can keep it. "Children love to hunt," Mendes said. "A few weeks ago, Rocky took the man and his two sons for a ride and found the skeleton of a deer's head with big horns. It was completely intact, and Rocky picked it up and gave it to the boys in memory of the ride is over."

Cameras are welcome, and the city are pleased with the spectacular visual relics need to show your friends and family back home. During a recent ride, a couple photographed a flock of about 80 deer sprinting across the route, just 15 meters away.

"Some of our guests have never been on a horse before," Mendes said. "Our horse gives them a taste of life and leave the Paniolo understand why the cowboys that we have the best job on Earth."