Rain canceled our Saturday Pali Notches to Piliwale Ridge hike, so I tagged along with Chris and Kaimi for a Sunday hike from Makapu’u to Kamiloiki Ridge. Chris picked me up from Waioli Street and we met Kaimi at the Makapu’u lookout. Even security was there in the wee hours of the morning, in the form of Honolulu’s finest. Assured that our cars were safe as long as the donuts and coffee didn’t run out, we crossed Kalanianaole Highway around 6:14am to start our hike.
Early Goats
We made our way up the rocky ridge following the chain link fence with danger signs plastered over them. As soon as we crested the top of the ridge, we noticed a herd of goats below us. After noticing our presence, they scampered away on their sure-footed hooves towards Sea Life Park. Now that’s what you call extreme hikers.
Koko Crater
As we made our way along the ridgeline, views of Koko Crater and Kalama Valley opened up.
Makapu'u Puka
The ridge soon robbed us of the elevation we had just gained, as we climbed down and took a brief break at the Puka.
Makai Pier, Manana and Kaohikaipu Islands
We started climbing again as we made our way to Kamehame Ridge where a bird’s eye view of the Makai Pier, Rabbit and Turtle Islands greeted us. The sun also started coming out from the clouds, turning my face a bright beet red, despite the sunscreen that I had sprayed on earlier. In my opinion, this stretch of the Koolau’s is one of the hottest, rivaling those on the Waianae side.
Hang Glider Platform
No actual libation was involved in the making of this photograph at the second hang glider platform.
Kamiloiki Stairs
We came down the steps from the second hang glider platform and made a right on the paved road which would lead us to the abandoned Nike Missile Station. Right before the locked gates, is a unlocked side gate that we went through to check out the Kamiloiki “Hidden” Stairs which like the Haiku Hidden Stairs only goes down partially towards Kamiloiki Valley.
Communication Tower
In an apparent oversight, some of the communication towers at the old Nike Missile Site are gated while others aren’t. Even the ones that are gated, can be easily circumvented as Chris ably demonstrates.
Dead Man's Cat Walk
I have the runway, now all I need is a parachute.
Hang Glider
After waiting almost an hour at the Dead Man’s Cat Walk, one of the hang gliders took off from the second platform and put on quite an aerial show with his spins and turns.
Waimanalo
Going down the saddle and climbing out of it, we made our way up to the grove of ironwood trees on the other side that would serve as our lunch spot.
Paragliders
As we munched on our bananas, granola bars and M&Ms; as that’s all the lunch wagon had left, a trio of paragliders circled lazily overhead.
Panoramic view of Hawaii Kai and Waimanalo
Click here to see the larger image.
Kamiloiki Ridge
We soon came to the summit of Kamiloiki Ridge and made our way down the ridge and came across a still smoldering campfire on the trail. Smokey says, “Only you can prevent forest fires.”
Pahua Heiau
The heat was bouncing off the clouds and rocks as we finally made our way down to the end of the trail which is marked by the Pahua Heiau. After we got into my car, we made a run for the border – Soft Taco’s and XL drinks with no ice.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
We wouldn’t have had to run for the border if you would’ve just told your people to hold the wagon!…lol
how do you get here? Where do you park? And will your car get towed?
Hi Michelle,
You need to stage cars at two ends – Waoili Street and Makapuu Lookout. Cars will not get towed. As long as you don’t park in front of somebody’s driveway at Waoili Street. Can’t guarantee the security of cars at Makapuu Lookout, but so far knock on wood, haven’t had an incident yet.
Hi, how long does this hike take? How strenuous is it?
Hi Lindsay,
It’s a little over 5 miles I believe and it took us about 6 hours. All depends on your pace and how often you stop for breaks and picture taking. The first part from Makapu’u is usually very hot as there is no shade until you hit Kamiloiki Ridge with the pine trees and then as you break out from the ridge and start going down, shade disappears and it gets hot again. Bring enough water, sunscreen and hats. It’s not that strenous if you’re in average physical shape, just take it safe and slow. There are some ups and downs over some loose dirt and rock areas, other than that it’s an average hike with no extreme narrow ridges or stuff like that. Have fun!
Thank you!
Where exactly does the trail start? Also how hard is this hike from like a 1-10
Thank you
Hi Chloe,
Trail starts right across the Makapu’u lookout. Just cross the road and follow the fence and then the ridge. Be advised there have been numerous car break-ins at the lookout. As far as how hard it is, that’s purely subjective, what is hard for me might be easy for you and vice versa, with that being said, in my opinion, I would rate this hike average – 4-5. Hope this helps, stay safe and have fun.
Aloha
You’re actually the first person I’ve seen give the name of these stairs! Now that the catwalk is off limits… would doing this hike in reverse help avoid the security?
Aloha Brandon,
I don’t think the direction of approach matters if your intention is to do the stairs/catwalk, I believe that particular section is tightly controlled by the FAA. I heard they are understandably irate as people have been vandalizing the area by cutting huge holes in the fence, tagging, littering and just making general arses of themselves. Ruining it for other hikers. Just my two cents. I know people still do it, but I would advise against it.
Mahalo