Palehua Ridge

by kenji SAITO on November 21, 2010

Hiking Palehua Ridge

This was our second attempt at hiking Palehua Ridge in the Waianae Mountain Range. A week earlier, we had drove to the end of Umena Street at the top of Makakilo and had obtained the combination to the gate, which Camp Timberline changes every month, which soon lead to another locked gate, but no key. So we parked our truck and walked up and down the road in a frustrating attempt to find the trailhead. Not knowing that we had literally come within yards of the trailhead when we had walked to the top communications site. Luckily, the Palehua Ranch caretaker found us and politely told us that nobody is allowed to be walking on Palehua Road, as it’s considered private and leads to scores of homes sitting on land leased from the Campbell Estate. He told us that for a $100 deposit and signing a liability waiver form, he would give us the key to the second gate which would allow us to drive all the way to the top of the upper communications site where the trailhead was located. Being beat, we said we would do it another day, which was today. After we parked our van at the top, we found the trailhead, which is to the right of the communication buildings. The stairs lead us to a bamboo grove which leads to a knob called Mauna Kapu.

Nankuli Valley

Nanakuli Valley

Reached the top of Maunu Kapu, which means “Sacred Mountain” in Hawaiian.

Boulder Tunnel

Boulder Tunnel

Scrambling through some large boulders stacked on top of each other, making it sort of a boulder tunnel.

Cook Island Pine Trees

Cook Island Pine Trees

Walking a narrow trail to the stand of pine trees in the distance. After we got within the pine trees, there is a large fenced area that we climbed over, I believe it’s meant to keep the feral pigs out.

Palikea

Palikea

Arrived at the summit of Palikea at 3,098 feet, which is marked by a clump of ti leaf plants. It took us about an hour to reach the summit, luckily the trailhead starts at about 2,200 feet, so we only gained about 800 feet in elevation. You can see Lualualei Valley and Makaha in the distance.

Waianae Mountain Range

Waianae Mountain Range

Looking back at where we came from, it’s the two communication towers poking up from the ridgeline in the middle. Soon after this, things took a turn for the worse. We got lost and were just trying to follow the fence and the colored ribbons fluttering from the tree branches. We were stumbling around for three hours, before we finally found our bearings and re-traced our steps back to the trailhead. We were trying to find the trail that is supposed to loop past an abandoned cabin and come out at the lower communications site.

Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor

Walking down the trail, we caught this great view of Pearl Harbor or Pu’uloa in Hawaiian, which means long hill, home to the shark goddess, Ka’ahupahau. Diamond Head and the Ko’olau Mountain Range can also be seen in the distance. This hike is relatively easy, as there is not much gain in elevation, as your car does most of the climbing up the mountain. Just don’t get lost, like we did. Then again, sometimes half the fun of hiking is just walking around and exploring, as long as you can get back and don’t have to call 911!

Leave a Comment

{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }

Ben Brandt January 28, 2012 at 10:03 am

Hi Kenji,

I tried to google and find the contact info to sign the waiver and get the key.

I couldn’t find it.

Could you give me the contact info?

Best,
Ben Brandt

Reply

kenji SAITO January 28, 2012 at 10:48 pm

Hi Ben,

Sorry, I tried emailing the caretaker, but it bounced. It used to be run by the Campbell Estate, so I would suggest you start your search there. Hope you find it, if I find it I will let you know and if you find it, please let me know!

Thanks!

Reply

Ben Brandt February 17, 2012 at 9:05 am

Hi Kenji,

Thanks for getting back to me.
I’ll continue to keep looking.

I will let you know what I find out!

Ben

Reply

Jason May 17, 2012 at 5:55 am

Hello,

Any luck tracking down the secret key?

I’d love to do this hike.

Aloha,

Jason

Reply

kenji SAITO May 18, 2012 at 4:31 am

Howzit Jason,
Sorry, no luck tracking down the key. I would suggest you call Camp Timberline which shares the gate, they might have a better idea who has the key.
Good luck!

Reply

Kaohinani Bruns October 2, 2015 at 4:23 pm

My family used to live up palehua in the 1960’s…i used to round up cattle also with Tongg Ranch then also all over the palehua range. My family used to own Palehua Ranch, Fred Daily, the famous polo player back then once own it, we bought it from him, just beyond the second gate. we had 8 ac and raised horses. i’ve ridden all over that sacred mountain and i am very very sadden to see what has happen. all the houses their. that mountain is sacred and it’s a shame what they have done to it. very sad. aloha Kaohinani Bruns

Reply

kenji SAITO October 2, 2015 at 8:44 pm

Aloha Kaohinani,
Thanks for sharing the history and memories of this special place. Yes, it’s quite sad to see the land slowly being taken over by private property, closing off access so that the rest of us can enjoy it.
Mahalo

Reply

Kahu Mik Ferreira July 1, 2017 at 6:09 am

The key mystery has been around a long time. Used to be you would buy a sticker for your car and get a key. That has been long ago gone. The nature of the trails not being maintained makes it easy to get lost. That 3.5 hours you spent had it been closer to sunset could have resulted in a Rescue having to be performed. The pigs are protective too and an attack by a sow would create a bloody injury you may not come home from. Now, others want this trail opened to the public so all of this may go on as well as over – use and the garbage and other pitfalls other trails suffer from. Best tomjust go with experienced guides for $10 and leave a sacred place. . . . Sacred..

Reply

kenji SAITO July 3, 2017 at 10:21 pm

Aloha Kahu Mik,
Yes they no longer give out the key and have closed it to the general public with the exception of certain groups. That’s why we always start early in the day on our hikes to err on the side of caution. Yes it’s best to go with an experienced guide and take care of the aina. A shame though that more of the public can’t experience this area for it’s beauty and raw nature.
Mahalo

Reply

Sunshine March 9, 2019 at 1:35 pm

Isn’t there a bunker somewhere up there?

Reply

kenji SAITO March 9, 2019 at 9:43 pm

Aloha Sunshine,
I have heard of such a bunker, but personally have never run across one. If you do, let me know please.
Mahalo

Reply

Benjamin Brandt March 9, 2019 at 10:01 pm

The bunker is on the Camp Palehua property. They will give you a guided tour if you’re interested

Reply

kenji SAITO March 10, 2019 at 5:45 am

Aloha Ben,
Thanks for the info. Will have to check it out one day.
Mahalo

Reply

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