Holoholo Oahu

Met up with Allison, Chico, Ferlino, Laredo and Tessa at the Neal Blaisdell Park to explore some spots around the island. Thanks to Scott for the beta on some of these places.

Sharing the path with bicyclists. The trail began as an ambitious venture under Mayor Harris back in 2001 to revitalize the shoreline communities by upgrading the existing bike path and extending it all the way to Nanakuli. Sad to say, it stalled and died a quiet death due to low priority and lack of interest.

East Loch views.

I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat.

Passing by the HECO Waiau Power Plant that was built back in 1938.

The boys keeping their balancing skills in line.

Will the real scarecrow stand up in the middle of the taro and watercress patches. The sign we just had passed warned about contaminated fish and shellfish. No connection?

We saw a member of the local chapter of Broke Ass Angels.

Where there is a tree, there will be Ferlino.

The home of extra ballots and ballots for the dead. Democracy at work.

I guess it’s better than throwing them over power and telephone lines.

Dropping down into the network of over 670 miles of underground pipes and channels that discharge directly into the coastal waters to prevent flooding in built up areas.

Walking through the unfiltered runoff water and debris.

A race of one.

Pray that a sudden discharge doesn’t eject you from the pipe. That would be actually funny.

Flying flock of birds.

Tessa picked some seed pods from a nearby Pithecellobium Dulce tree. Supposedly good for treating diabetes among other things.

Tossed a Tupperware container to a lady on the bridge behind us. Thought she was a crazy cat lady.

Chico eating a jabong fruit that he found unwashed in the canal. Nobody else wanted a piece. All for him.

Passing a towel rack. Nobody was that sweaty or desperate.

Entering a dark tunnel filled with a solitary centipede.

Sample of some of the graffiti we saw down in the canals and tunnels.

Light at the end of the tunnel.

Chico and Laredo tossing the pigskin.

Walking in the relatively dry section.

Climbing out of the channel.

Walking parallel to the road that was opened back in 1921. Many names were considered such as Lei Ilima Drive, Aloha Drive and Rainbow Road among others before finally settling on Kamehameha Highway.

We had a late breakfast of fried chicken in the food court.

Looking for the blue barrel so that we could drop back down into the channel as we saw neighborhood groups picking up rubbish in the area. No blue barrel. Maybe they picked it up? No worries, we have webbing to lower ourselves down.

I don’t need no stinkin’ webbing.

Chico outgrew the toy, but never his childhood.

Exploring one of the drainage pipes.

End of the tunnel for us.

Group photo with a swimming hole below us.

Climbing back to civilization and motorized traffic that we had to cross.

Stopped at a Buddhist temple that was bustling with people as there was also an open market selling textiles and food.

Thai Tea hit the spot.

None of us were Buddhists, so we respectfully left. Allison and Laredo decided to end their day of exploration with us. Do we smell or something?

We spotted a member of a group that helps each other recover from addiction and convictions through religion. Amen.

Heard this historic house is still up for sale. You get certain tax exemptions with it being on the historic register.

Ferlino hanging out in the tree that used to have a swing to enjoy the sunsets.

Different modes of traction across the slippery moss covered rocks.

Checking out the only private harbor and boat house on the island. Must be nice.

The boy was so excited as he caught his first fish. Papio?

Visiting hours are the second Saturday of each month. Today is Sunday.

Drinking coconut water straight from the nut. Hawaiians call it niu and they were introduced to Hawaii hundreds of years ago.

We checked out the famous cliff jumping spot where adventurous souls jump 70′ into the ocean. No takers today. Chico decided to climb down and check it out for himself.

The waves were pounding today and spray was shooting out of the cave like a reverse blowhole.

Chico timing the waves so he doesn’t get washed out to sea.

Monkey see, monkey do.

We decided to venture further to where the fishermen had set up their poles.

Chico and Ferlino climbed down the ladder to check out the conditions.

Tessa standing on her fishing perch.

Climbing back up the short, steep and slippery trail to our car where we ended our fun day.

Photos taken by Allison Banks, Chico Cantu, Ferlino Carinio, Tessa Bugay, and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

Tagged as: drainage canals, kaiser estate, pearl harbor bike path, pearl harbor historic trail, portlock, spitting caves, wat thai