Palindrome Hike (Aiea Loop Trail to Kulana’ahane)

by kenji SAITO on February 2, 2020

Palindrome Hike (Aiea Loop Trail to Kulana'ahane)

Today was the first global palindrome date in 909 years and it was also the day that the San Franciscos 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs played it out in the 54th Superbowl. We were just planning to pay a visit to Hell. Thanks to Caroline and Lonnie for picking Aida, Art, Dale, Katie, Lilyn, and myself up in Moanalua Valley and dropping off us at the Keaiwa Heiau State Park to start our hike. I also found out that I was undercharging for my hikes as we bumped into a group at Moanalua Valley and the “guide” was charging $165 a pop to take people up to Stairway to Heaven. And here I am only charging a nickel. Obviously I am a product of the public school system. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Aiea Loop Trail

Aiea Loop Trail

We stepped foot on the trail whose air was fragrantly scented from the eucalyptus trees.

Aiea Loop Trail

Aiea Loop Trail

Trying to catch the breaking sunrise.

Smokey the Bear

Smokey the Bear

We stamped out and watered down a still smoldering fire left from possible hunters, before connecting to the ridge trail. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Aiea Ridge Trail

Stopping at the landslide that time took its toll. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Aiea Ridge Trail

Katie and Dale climbing along the ridges ups and downs. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Pu'u Kawipo'o

Pu’u Kawipo’o

It’s a little known fact that plastic dolphins can survive at 2,441′ elevation. But first, you have to spot them. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Aiea Ridge Trail

Hikers in the mist as the clouds blotted out the views. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Aiea Ridge Trail

Aida near the base of the power line. Photo by Art Young.

Aiea Summit

Aiea Summit

The sun seemed but a distant star at the 2,805′ elevation. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty

Don’t wake me up. Dreaming about sunshine drenched views. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Aiea Summit

Aiea Summit

The sign that Chris made for the summit has now gone missing, the victim of scavengers or scoundrels.

Ko'olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Setting foot on the spine of the Ko’olau Mountain Range as we made our way to Hell. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

KSRT

KSRT

Dale on the cliffs edge, just feet away from a steep drop. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KSRT

KSRT

The roller coaster ride on the ridge was the gift that kept on giving. Photo by Art Young.

KSRT

KSRT

Dreams do come true. Photo by Aida Gordon.

KSRT

KSRT

Evolving to bipedal locomotion on the ridge. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

KSRT

KSRT

Lilyn by the fenced enclosure that protects a rare native bellflower plant, one which I have yet to see. Then again, I don’t know what I’m looking for. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

KSRT

KSRT

Aida crossing the ridge; with the stunning backdrop of the Windward coast, valleys and mountains behind her. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KSRT

KSRT

Looking from the summit to the sea, a view that is often denied. Photo by Aida Gordon.

KSRT

KSRT

Art standing at the top of the windswept meadows. Photo by Aida Gordon.

KSRT

KSRT

Katie practicing her Captain Morgan pose.

KSRT

KSRT

Checking the Superbowl score. Checked in too early. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KSRT

KSRT

Dale descending down the ridge line. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KSRT

KSRT

Lilyn coming down from the mountain. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

KSRT

KSRT

Looking down at the bunker, we saw Chris and Tessa who had hiked up from Moanalua Valley, setting up house. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Stairway to Hell

Stairway to Hell

Dale standing in the windy meadows, which has claimed many a hat and utensils. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Open Tent

Open Tent

Location, location, location. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Stairway to Hell

Stairway to Hell

Lunch time in the cold dungeon of Hell. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

North Haiku Stairs

North Haiku Stairs

Everybody’s photo shot at the terminus of the stairs that the military failed to finish.

North Haiku Stairs

North Haiku Stairs

Boy, Girl, Boy, Girl. Group photo by Tessa Bugay, left to right: Chris, Katie, Art, Aida, myself, Lilyn, Dale and Tessa.

Stairway to Hell

Stairway to Hell

Leaving the REI outlet bunker. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Stairway to Hell

Stairway to Hell

Heading out on the stairs that Mother Nature are slowly reclaiming. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Stairway to Hell

Stairway to Hell

Last look back at Hell. Today was a good day in Hell. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Stairway to Hell

Stairway to Hell

The stairs were soon replaced with a weathered cable as we made our way along the ridge. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Stairway to Hell

Stairway to Hell

Looking across the valley to the socked in summit of Heaven. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Stairway to Hell

Stairway to Hell

Climbing our last set of rusty stairs. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Stairway to Hell

Stairway to Hell

Leaving Hell behind us. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KSRT

KSRT

Tessa and Lilyn going down the undulating ridge line. Photo by Aida Gordon.

KSRT

KSRT

The group taking a short break at the weather beaten marker. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

KSRT

KSRT

Looking down at the H-3 snaking its way out from the mountains and into the valley. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Red Hill

Red Hill

The group waiting for everybody to catch up. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

While some of us were deciding whether to end the hike in Heaven, Dale decided to go down Red Hill. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Katie climbing down the side of the heavily eroded saddle.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Scooting our way down the ridge line. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Watch out for falling rocks.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Looking out towards Haiku Valley.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

The girls making their way across the saddle with the scalloped mountain behind them.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Standing on the scenic rock for my photo opportunity. WAP. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Katie dropping down into the middle of the saddle.

Kulana'ahane Summit

Kulana’ahane Summit

Time was running out for heaven, so we all left the summit after our last group photo of the day. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kulana'ahane Trail

Kulana’ahane Trail

Going down the trail, where somebody took the uluhe shortcut. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kulana'ahane Trail

Kulana’ahane Trail

Hitting the valley floor.

Kulana'ahane Trail

Kulana’ahane Trail

Tessa making her way under the tangled thicket of hau branches.

Moanalua Valley

Moanalua Valley

Somebody had a private rainbow showing all to himself. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

All pau

All pau

Things that go boo and not bump in the night. Our 11.6 mile hike ended under the cover of darkness with a great crew. Post hike meal at Alley Restaurant where ghost stories were shared for the chicken skin experience.

Video by Dale Yoshizu of our fun hike.

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.

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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Tessa March 21, 2020 at 12:47 am

Always looking forward for your humorous write ups. Fun hiking with this group. Thank you for leading us.

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kenji SAITO March 21, 2020 at 6:45 am

Aloha Tessa,
Thanks for coming. Always fun company.
Mahalo

Reply

Aida Gordon March 21, 2020 at 10:10 pm

Great writeup as always! I was chuckling at some of the private joke statements..the rare dolphin, Art’s dream come true, the open tent, the REI outlet, the uluhe shortcut and the chicken skin. All good! Thanks for leading us on this amazing trail! I wish I hadn’t injured myself as I missed the mext few adventures. :-(. Oh well! Till the next one!

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kenji SAITO March 23, 2020 at 6:22 am

Aloha Aida,
Thanks! Always good times. Until the next one!
Mahalo

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