Now that’s dedication
KHPR, the main HawaiĘ»i Public Radio station, was off the air yesterday morning but was back by dinnertime. Usually I wouldn’t give it much thought, except for Erika Engle’s story about it in the Star-Bulletin.
The KHPR transmitter is up at the top of Wiliwilinui Ridge, and got knocked out of service by recent bad weather, including a lightning strike that melted a switch. Eeek. When the equipment finally conked out Tuesday night there was no way to helicopter up there to do repairs due to the weather. So instead, Jeff Ilardi, one of the HPR staff, hiked up there first thing in the morning to do the job. Now I’ve hiked the Wiliwilinui Trail myself, and it’s a workout even in dry weather. To climb the two-and-a-half miles to the summit with the ground as slippery and soggy as it must be right now? That takes real dedication. Hats off to Jeff.
April 11th, 2006 at 2:25 am
Maybe the had the connection with the BWS and Na Ala Hele and 4WD all the way to trailhead. Not too bad then, huh?
April 11th, 2006 at 8:43 am
Errr… what does the BWS have to do with this? And even if he drove to the trailhead at the top of Waialae Iki — which I expect he did — it was still two and a half miles from there, up the mountain trail, in nasty wet weather. I’d say that was not “not too bad”.
April 14th, 2006 at 10:10 pm
Eric,
I did not mean the trailhead at the top of Waialae Iki V, but the trailhead at the second boot-swiping station where the 4-wheel drive turnaround is located. From that trailhead, the hike is not that far. I mention Board of Water Supply (or Na Ala Hele) as a matter of whoever has the key to that gate.
Granted, Jeff is a dedicated worker and he probably got really, really wet. Maybe if I were working, I would look at it differently. I think it is the miserable times and the challenge that make it all worthwhile.
Off the subject, when are you going to hit the trails again? I have your webpage bookmarked and would like to see some new hikes. Take care.
April 14th, 2006 at 10:14 pm
Ah. Got it. I didn’t pay much attention to where the 4WD track ended, because I never expect to drive past the trailhead myself.
I’m flattered that you like my hike stories and pics. I have been a slug this winter but now that it’s finally drying out, I hope to get back on the trails.