Mokuleia to Kaena Point

by kenji SAITO on August 29, 2021

Hiking Mokuleia to Kaena Point

We returned back to the West side to tie up some loose ends and with a 4×4 ride to boot.

Kaena Point

Kaena Point

Star Trek meets Spaceballs. Thanks to Barry for driving Art, CJ and myself up to Peacock Flats.

Kaena Point

Kaena Point

Tracking space debris since Statehood.

Kuaokala Trail

Kuaokala Trail

Enjoying our ride on four wheels and not two feet.

Cyanea Superba

Cyanea Superba

When not one but two of the rare Hawaiian lobelioid are closer than you think.

Mokuleia Trail

Mokuleia Trail

When a good natured scare that walked up from the Mokuleia side is mistaken for a botanical berry.

Waianae Summit Trail (WST)

Waianae Summit Trail (WST)

Can you see the spiderweb for the pine tree? Photo by CJ Mendiola.

WST

WST

Look! Up in the mountains! It’s a peak! It’s a cabin!

WST

WST

When it’s easier to climb up a tree than get down from one.

WST

WST

Climbing over the fence line to get a better look at the valley below us.

Makua Valley

Makua Valley

10 seconds to spare for the group photo, left to right: myself, Art, CJ, Chris and Quan.

WST

WST

Passing the enclosed habitat for endemic shelled gastropods. Photo by Art Young.

Pahole NAR

Pahole NAR

One of many fence crossings as we passed through part of the vast 685 acres of protected ecosystems. Photo by Art Young.

WST

WST

Checking out the conservation work. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

WST

WST

Art climbing up to refill his water supply. Filtration notwithstanding.

WST

WST

Chris going down the heavily rutted jeep road.

WST

WST

Backdrop of Makua Valley for our group photo.

WST

WST

Following in the tracks of our earlier ride.

WST

WST

Picking the abundant passion fruit that lined the trail slowed the forward progress. Photo by Chris Bautista.

WST

WST

There were more 4×4 vehicles on the road today than hikers.

Kuaokala Trail

Kuaokala Trail

Back on a familiar trail for some.

Kuaokala Trail

Kuaokala Trail

Trying to not let the gate hit me on my way out or in? Photo by Art Young.

Kuaokala Trail

Kuaokala Trail

The group coming down the fenced trail.

Kuaokala Trail

Kuaokala Trail

Doing my best alcoholic impression. Photo by Art Young.

Kuaokala Trail

Kuaokala Trail

Behind the scenes photography.

Kuaokala Trail

Kuaokala Trail

Traversing along Makua rim populated by eucalyptus trees. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Kuaokala Trail

Kuaokala Trail

We’re not finished yet. I don’t know why you guys are jumping for joy.

Kuaokala Trail

Kuaokala Trail

Walking down on what could arguably be the widest trail on the island. Photo by CJ Mendiola.

Kuaokala Trail

Kuaokala Trail

We got to the shelter but had no picnic. Photo by CJ Mendiola.

WST

WST

The ocean looked cool and inviting on this scorcher of a day. Photo by Art Young.

WST

WST

The wildlife was very docile in these neck of the woods.

WST

WST

Straying off or on the reservation? Photo by Art Young.

WST

WST

Contorting and crawling was the name of the game today. Fun. Fun. Fun. Say it enough times and one might actually believe that gibberish. Photo by CJ Mendiola.

WST

WST

Glad they are looking up at the heavenly bodies. Photo by Chris Bautista.

WST

WST

Leaving the claustrophobic trail for a much more roomier one. Photo by Art Young.

WST

WST

Farmer Bautista. Photo by Art Young.

WST

WST

Tee time in the mountains. Photo by Art Young.

WST

WST

Staying off the reservation. Photo by Art Young.

Kaena Point

Kaena Point

Washing your hands is even more important in these COVID times that we live in.

Kaena Point

Kaena Point

Leaving behind some irritated hornets that peppered me with stinging souvenirs when I disturbed their hive. Lucky it wasn’t those Asian giant hornets. Photo by Art Young.

Kaena Point

Kaena Point

Hiking our way down the rocky ridge that was littered with military leftovers. Photo by CJ Mendiola.

Kaena Point

Kaena Point

Looking back at both sides of the island.

Kaena Point

Kaena Point

#7. A perfectly good waste of sparkling wine. Photo by CJ Mendiola.

Kaena Point

Kaena Point

Coming down the mountain. Photo by Art Young.

Kaena Point

Kaena Point

Treading over train track remnants from a different era when locomotives used to circle the island. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kaena Point

Kaena Point

Art on the arch.

All pau

All pau

No green flash sighted. Thanks to Lilyn and Aida for shuttling the group to our parked cars. What happens if a hiker finishes the mountain range but no one is around, does it count? Benefit of the doubt and dubious congratulations to the lady from the sandbar for completing the WST today as well. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

Our finishing end to the Waianae Summit Trail covered roughly 15.6 miles through rugged terrain and raw beauty. Fun hike with good friends. Post hike meal at The Beach House by 604, where the clam chowder wasn’t world famous and the live unfiltered music made up for the mediocre food.

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.

Leave a Comment

{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Cj September 18, 2021 at 2:02 am

Thanks for the Awsome’ & exciting experienced boss ???? had so much fun, were safe and sound’.. made it..????

Reply

kenji SAITO September 20, 2021 at 7:58 pm

Aloha CJ,
Thanks for keeping us company. Glad everybody had another fun hike.
Mahalo

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