Their Mission Statement :
We strive to provide unique and exciting adventures that give customers a positive and lasting memory of their experience. Our adventures will be service oriented, differentiating, safe and fun!

PLANTATION DITCH SYSTEM
These adventures offer tube rides down the Lihue Plantation irrigation ditch and tunnel system. A water system that once irrigated vast sugar crops on Kaua‘i has been unused since sugar was taken out of production in 2000. The irrigation system runs through some of the most beautiful land on the island with spectacular views of the ocean, coastline and valleys. Beginning near the top of Mount Wai‘ale‘ale (the wettest spot on earth), the waterway and ditch system winds through open canals, rushing flumes and mysterious tunnels.

Finding an alternative use for the obsolete irrigation system is a win-win for everyone. It provides Backcountry Adventures with an exciting business opportunity, the consumer the opportunity to experience an adventure on previously inaccessible land, and the plantation with revenue to keep their irrigation system current and in good operation.

The gently flowing irrigation water creates a tubing adventure perfect for all fitness levels, "we wanted something fun for everyone," says Kelley, co-founder of Backcountry Adventures. "After a scenic ride to the top of the mountain, you can hop in your tube and away you go. This is the perfect adventure for all!"

Backcountry Zipline Adventure

East Shore • Lihue Area • Centrally located on the East Side of Kauai.

The zipline tour is 3.5 hours in length and begins with a historic and scenic tour while you cruise to the start of the zip course.  After a thorough briefing by certified guides, you are ready to glide and soar.  A perfect adventure for those 12 years of age and older weighing between 100-250 lbs.

Harness up and zip across valleys and gulleys.  Soar over streams and view places more spectacular than you can ever imagine!    An exclusive zip experience that occurs on private lands that have never before been open to the public. A three and a half hour backcountry adventure will take you deep into and above Kauai’s interior as you traverse down a mountain side into the lush valley below.  The tour starts with a historic and scenic tour as you cruise to the start of the zip course.  After a thorough briefing by your certified guides, you are ready to glide and soar over tropical forests, streams and jungles rich with magnificent scenery!  Transcend down the mountainside sailing along a series of seven ziplines.  Zip through the air with the greatest of ease soaring high above the forest as you make your way to the valley floor below. End your zip with a delicious picnic lunch and a refreshing swim.  Relax, bask in the sun, or just soak in a natural swimming pool.  Take one last dip in the water before heading back to home base!  Truly an incredible, exhilarating journey!

We invite you to join them for a spectactular zipping adventure tour where your memories aren’t soon to be forgotten!  Look forward to providing you with yet another quality adventure tour!

FOOD AND BEVERAGE:  Picnic lunch & cold beverage.
Check-in location:  Lihue
Check in:  ½ hour prior to tour time
Cancellation policy:  24 hour cancellation policy under 6 pax
Tour size:  Maximum of 11 guests with 2 guides 
Cost:  $130/pp + tax = $135.42 ($99/00 + tax = $103.12 special through April 15, 2012)

TOUR DESCRIPTION:

Sugar is a thirsty crop. It takes approximately 4000 pounds of sugar or 500 gallons to produce one pound of sugar. It also takes 1,000,000 gallons of water per day to irrigate 100 acres of sugar cane. Thus, Kaua'i with its abundance of natural resources; land, sun and most importantly, water, was ideal for growing cane. Mount Wai'ale'ale(rippling waters)and Mount Kawaikini(waters or multitude), some of the wettest spots on earth provided enough water to meet the high demand that cane had for water.

In order to tap into Kaua'i's natural water resources, Lihue Plantation had to develop methods of carrying the water from the mountains to the cane fields that stretched, in some cases, all the way to the ocean. Hence, in 1856, Hawaii‘s landmark ditch, the Rice Ditch, was pioneered on Lihue Plantation by William Hyde Rice. It was the first irrigation ditch project in Hawaii and although it was not the success it might have been, planters no longer had to look for perfect conditions, now they could create them.

In 1870, the Hanama‘ulu Ditch, the ditch system currently used for Kaua‘i Backcountry Adventures Tubing Expedition, wass engineered and constructed. The makings of the 4 mile Hanama‘ulu Ditch was done by hand utilizing sledge hammers, spikes, picks and manual labor. Although, no records of the ditch building have been found as of yet, it was hard work which was done, most likely, by Chinese laborers. Each tunnel and waterway of the Hanama‘ulu Ditch was constructed a bit differently, some using hand cut rock, grouted and placed by hand and some cut out of existing mountain sides. " It was hard, manual work and could be dangerous. It is said that it took up to 1,000 workers at one time to build each ditch and no ditch took more than 2 years to build.

Lihue Plantation's water collection system is extensive and is made up of 51 miles of ditches with 18 intakes. The Hanama'ulu Ditch System draws water as far away as the Hanalei Stream and merges with the North and South Fork of the Wailua River before it turns into the Hanama'ulu Ditch System. The four mile ditch system provides water to the Hanana'ulu basin. Today, the Hanama‘ulu Ditch System provides water for cattle ranchers, farmers and feeds projects such as the Lihue airport gateway project.

In the late 1900's. Hawaii‘s sugar plantations closed their doors, one by one. Lihue Plantation was no exception. In November, 2000, Lihue Plantation was one of the last sugar plantations in Hawaii to close its doors.