Kokoda Trek Hall Of Fame

[muppie]

Our Kokoda Trekking (KTL) – Hall of Fame shows all the names of our past trekkers and also up to date statistics:

We at Kokoda Trekking would like to thank past trekkers for their support and confidence in choosing us as their preferred operator. To all future trekkers, we look forward to meeting you in 2008

KOKODA TREKKING (KTL) STATISTICS:

As at the 31st December 2011, we are proud to announce that we have taken well in excess of 4000 trekkers safely across the Kokoda Trail.

Many years in a row we have taken more trekkers on the Kokoda Track than any other operator. This is indeed something we are proud of. Our Kokoda operation is PNG run and you can be assured your money employs hundreds of porters and guides from Kokoda and surrounding areas right up to Sogeri. We have invested heavily in motor vehicles; satellite radios; two way radios; Orohaven Kokoda Retreat and other equipment we feel necessary to run successful Kokoda Treks.

KOKODA CHALLENGE RACE – 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2011:

In 2004 I arrived home one day to find our porters disappointed that Brian Freeman had broken the track record. They felt the record should belong on PNG soil. Russell and I discussed this and decided that in 2005 we would run a race so that the local boys could try and win back the record and their pride. John Hunt Hiviki not only broke the record, he smashed it. Last year we decided to change direction and run the race from the Ower's Corner end. Brendan Buka won the race in 17 hours 49 minutes.

Update 31st August, 2008: Once again Brendan Buka has re written the history books when he broke his old record to win the 2008 Kokoda Challenge Race in a record time of 16:34:05.

2005 – Kokoda Challenge – Track Record Kokoda to Owers' Corner – 28th August, 2005 – Winner – John Hunt Hiviki Time 22:14:01

2006 Kokoda Challenge- Track Record Owers' Corner to Kokoda on 26th August, 2006 – Winner – Brendan Buka (KTL) – Time: 17:49:17

2007 Kokoda Challenge – Track Record Owers' Corner to Kokoda on the 26th August, 2007 – Winner – Tom Hango (KTL) – Time: 19:07

2007 Kokoda Challenge – Track Record Kokoda to Owers' Corner on the 26th August, 2007 – Winner – Brendan Buka (KTL) – Time: 17:20

2008 Kokoda Challenge – Track Record Owers' Corner to Kokoda on the 30th August, 2008 – Winner – Brendan Buka (KTL) – Time: 16:34:05

2011 Kokoda Challenge – Race Winner – Owers' Corner to Kokoda on the 27th August 2011 – Brendan Buka (KTL) in a time of 17:50:33.

Placings:

1. Brendan Buka 17:50:33
2. Andrew Yauga 19:10:06
3. Horace Yauga 20:18:36
3. Moses Buka 20:18:36
5. Luana Nagas 20:34:37
6. Samson Joheri 22:40:19
7. Cyprian Aire 24:30:03
7. Aidan Bauba 24:30:03
9. Lenny Enjeka 26:40:50
10. Henson Kokeni 27:30:40
11. Matt McLaughlin 31:47:25
11. Tom Hango 31:47:25
13. Frank Ombi 32:30:20
14. Wayne Urina 33:20:41
15. Jessie Aire 34:40:50
16. Ramsi Idau 39:20:41

Kokoda Challenge Race Records:

Fastest man on the Kokoda Track/Kokoda Trail: Kokoda Trekking (KTL) porter – Brendan Buka – in both directions set in August 2007 and August 2008
Fastest Female – Nesta Gipine – set 31st August 2008 – Time 22:08:38
Fastest white man – International Competitor – Owers' Corner to Kokoda – Damon Goerke set in August 2006 in a time of 19:28
Fastest white man – International Competitor – Kokoda to Owers' Corner – Andrew (Andy) Rowan set in August 2006 in a time of 24:15

Other KTL records:

First Trekkers: 16th April, 2003 – Geoff and Daniel Trott from Melbourne
Youngest Male Trekker: Nicholas Lawson (7) – 2005
Youngest Female Trekker: Ellie Hargrave (12) – 2004
Oldest Male Trekker: Walter (aka The Fox) Kelly (81) – 2004
Oldest Female Trekker: Sybil Dwyer (74) – 2010
Youngest Papua New Guinean Trekker: Malik Suma (6 years) 2007
Trek Numbers – most trekkers – over 4000 in the past 5 + years
Bases – only company with a head office in Port Moresby and bases in Kokoda and Australia

Attention anyone who has logged onto this page through the 'Hall of Fame' area using the icon on our front page: to view the photographs mentioned below, PLEASE CLICK HERE:

Photograph A group of our hard working KTL boys seen here at Isurava. One of our older trekkers who really enjoyed her trek. The other photograph was taken just before our boys lined up for the 2011 Kokoda Challenge Race:
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[Boss Meri]

At Kokoda Trekking each year we try and give something of importance to the community of Kokoda. 2004, we placed a Mitsubishi Canter 3 tonne truck in Kokoda, commonly known as KTL 1 which has served the community for the past three years going back and forth from Kokoda to Popondetta on a daily basis except when trekkers are in town:
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[Boss Meri]

In 2005 we placed a 4WD Toyota Hilux in Kokoda to add another service should the need arise to pick up trekkers from Kovelo Village or areas where our truck cannot access. This vehicle also serves the Gona/Buna/Sanananda end picking up trekkers from the airport and showing them around before driving them up to Kokoda:
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[Boss Meri]

In May 2005 we purchased an ambulance for Kokoda and surrounding areas so that anyone requiring urgent medical attention can be transported down to Popondetta.
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[Boss Meri]

In 2006 we purchased thousands of australian dollars worth of equipment for villages along the track which included, water containers, good quality tarpaulins, cooking pots, change rooms and other items. Photograph below was taken at Ua'Ule Creek. One of our tarpaulins was used when a roof was leaking.
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[Boss Meri]

On one of our treks, it was used for trekkers to sit on and relax in the village of Kagi:
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[Boss Meri]

In 2007 we decided on a 3 cyclinder tractor lawnmower as a much needed piece of equipment to help keep Kokoda Station and Kokoda airstrip mowed. Finally it has arrived in Kokoda and is now hard at work trying to clean up. After we catch up, it will be used on a monthly basis to keep Kokoda clean and tidy. Our aim is to TRY and make KOKODA the most beautiful place in PNG. All our KTL boys have been asked to find and take to the Kokoda Station at least 10 plants each when they have been selected to walk on one of our treks. With this kind of help, it is hoped they can continue to grow the beauty of the station:
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[Boss Meri]

Another addition of ours both on the track and in Kokoda this year in 2007 has been the introduction of rubbish bins. So far we have placed them as follows:

• 2 at Kokoda Station
• 2 at Kokoda School
• 2 at Kokoda Airstrip
• 2 at Kokoda Monument area
• 2 at Kokoda Hospital

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[Boss Meri]

Also in Menari, Efogi, Ua'Ule Creek and Owers' Corner
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[Boss Meri]

We also purchased various items for the Kokoda Primary School including a brand new lawnmower. However, now we have our tractor we will mow their lawn for free each month:
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[Boss Meri]

Our latest project has been the Kokoda Airport, check out our progress:

Photographs:

Pic 1: before work commenced
Pic 2: work in progress
Pic 3: trekkers now posing for photographs in front of our carved signs
Pic 4: the end result, a nice building and atmosphere now present at Kokoda airstrip
Pic 5: our New Holland tractor which now mows the airstrip to allow all track operators the chance to trek as tractors in Kokoda have all broken down. With the rainfall in Kokoda it would not take long for long grass to close the airport – hence another community project for Kokoda Trekking (KTL)
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[Waza]

Hello Gail

Congratulations to you on your wonderful unselfish nature and attitude, in supplying all these necessary items to the wonderful people who live on the famous Kokoda Track. You never cease to amaze me with your Love and Care for PNG and it's people, by willingly donating and giving so much out of your own pocket.

I know you are rewarded in your heart for what you do, but I sincerely hope that one day you are recognised and rewarded in a tangible manner for all you have done and no doubt will continue to do over the years for the people of Kokoda, Deniki, Isurava, Alola, Eora Creek, Templeton's Crossing, Myola, Kagi, Efogi, Menari, Nauro, Ioribawa and Ua-Ule Creek.

God Bless

Love

Waza

[Gail Thomas]

Update end of trekking season 2010: In 2009 it was decided to consolidate our business interests on some land acquired in Kokoda adjacent to the Kokoda Airstrip.
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[Gail Thomas]

This area has been developed a project at a time and is coming along quite nicely. The initial setup was a kitchen, staff quarters and four huts.
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[Gail Thomas]

In August 2010, Lady Carol Kidu and some relatives of the Airlines of PNG plane crash opened our developed which we have called, Orohaven Kokoda Retreat. Oro for the 'Oro Province of PNG' and 'Haven' as we sincerely hope when you stay with us, you will think of it as a haven after roughing it on the track. With hot showers on offer, running water to wash your gear, flushing toilets, wood fired pizza oven, cold cold beer and a bar, you will feel you have finished your trek in style before flying out of Kokoda and heading for home.

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