Grant Miller might be known as the person behind Bike Works, opening his first shop on Ali'i Drive in 1988, but what many don't know is how much of his heart he has poured into the Kona area. He loves staying busy and when not sponsoring local sports events or helping customers in one of his shops, he is volunteering at the Makāula 'O'oma Trails in the Honua'ula Forest Reserve.
Everything started when the Tree Research, Exploration, and Education Foundation asked Grant to help make the trails accessible for hikers and bikers. Once a ranch, the land was repossessed by the State of Hawai'i after the lease was over, with the purpose of turning it into a recreational area. Unfortunately, the paths were overgrown and some sections of the trails were gone, but the potential was still there.
Excited, Grant took on the challenge. Since then, once a week for the past thirty years, he and his friends have gathered to take care of the trails and keep them cleared. For them, uncovering the natural haven is a privilege and an act of gratitude toward the local community.
“When you see a section of the trail completely blocked, and then you spend two hours working on it, the result is something that not just you, but everyone can enjoy. That is a very satisfying feeling,” Grant says.
What initially drew his attention was the cloud forest; the smell of mist and the chirping of the birds, echoing in the woods. The sunbeams sneaking through the branches and the dewdrops glinting on the leaves. It was the reward of seeing a side of Kona unknown to even those that have lived in the area for a long time.
“Everyone needs an escape from this hectic world. A place where you can clear your mind, walk or ride your bike, without worrying about what you’ll have for dinner or what that person did yesterday,” he says.
Grant's desire is for people to become aware of the richness that Kona offers besides water sports. As there are not many places to do mountain biking legally on the Big Island, the trails are a safe place without worrying about cars.
“This activity is good for the whole family. It's an invitation for everyone to enjoy Hūalalai. From young kids to older folks, and from mountain bikers to triathletes. Everyone can come and ride or hike with their tribe,” he says.
Grant has never seen his work as a job but as a gift. By volunteering, he found his own tribe; people that came for the scenery and stayed for the fellowship they found.
Grant looks forward to seeing his friends every week and riding together. Many of them have joined his initiative and helped throughout the years, giving their time and work freely. Yet, hands are always needed. If the trails are not kept up often, the forest reclaims them immediately.
Currently, the Makāula 'O'oma Trails take up only a third of the reserve. Grant's dream is for a passionate patron to adopt the land and bring a professional team to expand it, the twelve hundred acres could then be turned into a world-class trail park. This would put Kona on every hiker and biker’s radar, offering an alternative to those that not only want to enjoy the makai, but the mauka side as well. It would improve the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
In the meantime, Grant will keep joining the volunteers that meet every Thursday and the first Saturday of every month to maintain the paths.
“I might be the one organizing this project, but the heart behind the mountain trails is every man and woman that has worked on them,” he says.
Contact Grant at (808) 326-2453 or grant@bikeworkskona.com. Visit his shop online at bikeworkskona.com.