Ironwood Ranch offers horseback riding opportunities for guests visiting the Napili-based location. The Maui News/MEGAN MOSELEY

Ironwood Ranch owner Kimo Harlacher said that, after the Lahaina wildfire, he opened his doors to those looking to uplift their spirits.

“Just recently with the fires, we were having people come up because there was nothing to do. People were sleeping at parks and just having a really hard time,” he recalled.

With the help of his staff, Ironwood Ranch held a family horse day, where nearly 300 individuals showed up to participate.

He said the experience was nothing short of inspiring.

“One lady said it was the first time she’d seen her kids smiling for weeks,” he said. “All they had been doing was sitting around, hearing who lost what, who died. … This was the first time they were able to get out and do something.”

“To see the kids getting out and seeing them forgetting about the tragedy and that life moves on, it was really special,” he added.

Harlacher said the ranch is in a moment of transition. Having survived both the fire and also COVID, coping with the loss of some staff, volunteers and visitors, he is still finding a way to keep the Ironwood Ranch’s legacy alive and well.

“It’s kind of one of the last real areas of country left now in West Maui,” he said. “It’s a really special place.”

Ironwood Ranch is home to several horses, where guests can explore the West Maui countryside alongside talented riders. The Maui News/MEGAN MOSELEY

Harlacher has been working with horses his whole life, he said, and opened Ironwood Ranch after purchasing around 4 acres of space from the Roman Catholic Church in the 1990s.

Previously, he owned and operated Rainbow Ranch in the 1980s, and he continues to share his love of nature and horses with the help of his staff who guide guests along trails, nature walks and more.

Ironwood Ranch owner Kimo Harlacher is seen here playing with one of his family dogs at the Napili-based ranch in West Maui. The Maui News/MEGAN MOSELEY

On the ranch are several horses, many of whom are named after celebrities — from Taylor Swift and Zac Efron to even The Rock. Guests have options to ride endless amounts of trails, he said, that total around 6 hours, with tour options that range in 1.5 hours. Currently single private horseback rides and small group horseback rides are available, and Harlacher said the ranch continues to offer guests a chance to experience Maui in a unique, family-friendly way.

“There’s not really that many family activities, except snorkeling,” he said. “It’s nice to see families together. Kids love it. They’re doing something athletic and everyone seems to really get energy from just being outside and breathing oxygen and fresh air.”

Kylie Keefer has been working with Ironwood Ranch for the past two months. She said she’s enjoying meeting people from all over the world, and sharing her love of horses, as well.

“Horses in general really help to build confidence and I think that’s for anyone that goes on any of our rides,” she said. “And it helps kids with communication.”

And her favorite thing about the ranch, she said, is the love of the horses.

“There’s a lot of extra care that goes into them that I haven’t really seen at other ranches that I’ve worked at around the mainland and that’s been really awesome to see, experience and learn about,” she said.

For more information, visit ironwoodranch.com.