Kuli’ou’ou Trail to Kamehame

by kenji SAITO on July 21, 2024

In search of more training grounds to hike, we met up on the congested street in East Oahu. Keep your voice down, lest you upset the neighbors.

Kuli'ou'ou Trail

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

This trail has been called one of the finest hikes on the island by noted hiking author, Stuart Ball. Who am I to argue?

Kuli'ou'ou Trail

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

Somebody forgot their phone at the trailhead. Shades of Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens.

Kuli'ou'ou Trail

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

Switch backing our way up the mountain.

Kuli'ou'ou Trail

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

Going or coming?

Kuli'ou'ou Trail

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

Puka in the tree stump.

Kuli'ou'ou Trail

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

Arriving at the picnic shelter that was being renovated with fresh paint and new wood planks.

Kuli'ou'ou Trail

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

Scrambling up the rooted section of the trail.

Kuli'ou'ou Trail

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

The trail took on a more direct approach as we huffed and puffed our way up the steep sections under the canopy of pine trees.

Kuli'ou'ou Trail

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

Touchup. No pullup.

Kuli'ou'ou Trail

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

A bench with a view.

Kuli'ou'ou Trail

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

Steps, steps and then some more steps.

Kuli'ou'ou Trail

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

Views of Koko Crater and Koko Head in the background. Often confused for each other.

Kuli'ou'ou Summit

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Group photo at the surprisingly empty 2,028′ summit.

Ko'olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Leaving the eroded hill as we started our traverse on the spine of the Ko’olau Mountain Range.

KSRT

KSRT

Plunging into the forest.

KSRT

KSRT

Mari using the organic hiking stick to its fullest.

KSRT

KSRT

Approaching the first set of powerlines.

KSRT

KSRT

Mari doing the forward low tree limbo.

KSRT

KSRT

Passing through the second set of powerlines.

KSRT

KSRT

The spiderweb of vines were insufferable as they pulled, strangled and tripped you if not careful.

KSRT

KSRT

Making our way through the mountains on a carpet of pine needles.

KSRT

KSRT

Contouring our way around the base of Hahaione Pyramid.

KSRT

KSRT

That’s one small step for woman, one giant leap for hiking.

KSRT

KSRT

If it looks like a pyramid, sits like a pyramid, then it’s a pyramid.

KSRT

KSRT

We ran across two other hikers that were coming from the opposite direction.

Mariner's Summit

Mariner’s Summit

Is that Chef Boyardee cooking his signature spaghetti in the mountains?

Kaluanui Summit

Kaluanui Summit

Most of us enjoyed the cooking show, while others checked in on their social media.

Kaluanui Summit

Kaluanui Summit

Group photo at the summit that Kamehameha Schools would like you to forget.

KSRT

KSRT

Climbing our way down from the summit.

KSRT

KSRT

Walking through a carpet of feathery ferns.

KSRT

KSRT

Clash of vivid colors in the mountains.

KSRT

KSRT

Seriously? We have to climb down this cliff on a printer cable?

KSRT

KSRT

Deborah and Aida making their way down to the base of the cliff.

KSRT

KSRT

Aida with Dorito’s Tower in the distance.

KSRT

KSRT

Traversing our way through the exposed and rocky section of the trail.

KSRT

KSRT

Where there’s a rock, there is always somebody that will climb on top.

Tom-Tom Summit

Tom-Tom Summit

Standing on the summit whose trail was named after Tom McGuire and Tom Cadle who rediscovered the old Hawaiian trail.

KSRT

KSRT

Take less pictures and more spotting.

KSRT

KSRT

Climbing up rocks after rocks.

KSRT

KSRT

Scrambling our way up the ever shifting ground of pine needles. One step forward, two steps back.

Kamiloiki Summit

Kamiloiki Summit

No smile for the summit.

KSRT

KSRT

Passing through another stand of pine trees.

KSRT

KSRT

Descending our way down the trail as we approached the last climb of the day.

Kaiona Beach Park

Kaiona Beach Park

Watching the fire dancers from the nosebleed section.

KSRT

KSRT

The communications tower looked so deceptively close as we approached it. Appearances can be deceiving.

KSRT

KSRT

Mari climbing her way out of the saddle.

KSRT

KSRT

That plant is made for drinking and not for smoking.

Manana Island

Manana Island

The direct sun was reflecting off the uninhabited island that is now home to a protected bird sanctuary.

KSRT

KSRT

Contouring our way around the abandoned radar towers that used to control the Nike Missiles Sites down at Bellows.

KSRT

KSRT

The group was glad they were back on solid ground. Some more so than others.

KSRT

KSRT

Where there’s a hole, there’s a way.

All pau

All pau

Walking down the road that was made easier since Camp Winner was in session. No gate to contour or hurdle.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

Our “training” hike covered a little over seven miles with good company. Good job to Mari for finishing another chunk of the KST. Post hike meal at Mama Pho. Pho Time was out of business.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Deborah Tom, Mari Saito 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.

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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Aida Gordon July 29, 2024 at 9:05 pm

Great ans humorous write-up as always (for this who know the private jokes). Congratulations to Mari-san! She is awesome!

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kenji SAITO August 5, 2024 at 11:45 pm

Aloha Aida,
Thanks. Yep, she is slowly coming along. No saddles tho. lol.
Mahalo

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