Decided to keep nice and dry and stay off the mountains this weekend. We would still get a little wet on our perimeter walk today.

Taco Bell

Met up with Aida, Alexis, Akira, Chico, Deborah, Ferlino, Mari, Marilyn, Robin, Roger, and Tessa at one of the franchise restaurants founded in 1962 by Glenn Bell in California.

Koko Marina Center

The group cutting through the shopping center founded in 1963. Some of them needed a caffeine start to the morning.

Starbucks

Will that be a tall, grande, venti or trenta size? Just a fancy way of paying more bucks for Starbucks coffee.

Koko Marina Center

The guys keeping themselves entertained with a free hand puppet show. Doesn’t take much.

Hawaii Kai Marina Bridge

Aida and Roger taking photos over the bridge that allows maritime traffic to travel to and from the salt-water marina.

Maunalua Bay

Caught a glimpse of morning paddlers making their way across the bay that was once home to the largest fishpond on Oahu, until it was filled and developed for the current housing development called Hawaii Kai.

Kuli’ou’ou Beach Park

We detoured off the highway to go through the family friendly beach park.

Paiko Lagoon

Following the trail as we entered the bird sanctuary established in 1974.

Paiko Lagoon

Time to leave the sandy beach and get our feet wet.

Paiko Lagoon

I look the part, but I don’t think I can pull it off.

Paiko Lagoon

It’s not that deep!

Paiko Lagoon

The rest of the stragglers wading into the water.

Paiko Lagoon

Joining up with the rest of the group that took the longer but shallower route to dry land. Are we still getting wet?

Paiko Lagoon

One of these are not a real couple.

Paiko Lagoon

Passing a family of fishermen as we continued to wade in the waters while the rest of the group decided to plunge in the overgrowth and stay dry.

Paiko Lagoon

The breath of life about to be washed away by the ocean.

Paiko Lagoon

Drying our feet out while we waited for the rest of the group to join us.

Paiko Lagoon

Looking back at the historic fishpond named after a Portuguese whaler, Manuel De Pico (Paiko).

Kalanianaole Highway

We got ourselves a parking garage and no car and nowhere to go.

Niu Stream Bridge

Crossing over the bridge that discharges the waters flowing down from Pia and Kupaua Valleys into the ocean.

Kalanianaole Highway

Rolling resistance was pretty low on the sidewalk.

Calvary by the Sea

Exchanging hiking vows.

Aina Haina McDonald’s

Ferlino having a slice of ube bread ala mode soft serve ice cream at the first McDonald’s in Hawaii that opened in 1968 and was brought here by Maurice Sullivan, founder of Foodland.

Aina Haina McDonald’s

Fishing for recognition.

Kalanianaole Hwy

Chico twirling the flag in the middle of the highway. Stay in the crosswalk!

Kalanianaole Hwy

Shadows on the sidewalk.

Kalanianaole Hwy

We didn’t have any signs, so we just engaged in flag waving. It must be election year.

Kalanianaole Hwy

Now we have a sign! Are those cheers or jeers from the passing motorists?

Kalanianaole Hwy

Leaving the highway for greener pastures aka Waialae Country Club, where a paltry $52,000 will get your golf club on the green.

Aloha Island Mart

It’s never too early to start drinking for some people.

Kahala Ave

Shopping cart + flag waver = Trump supporter?

Kahala Ave

Halloween has not left the house.

Kahala Ave

Ferlino pushing another Trump supporter down the road. Vote Trump! MAGA!

Kahala Ave

Marilyn next to an anatomically correct skeleton? 206 bones?

Kahala Ave

Social experiment. We hung out for over 20 minutes in the upscale residential area with no sign of the boys in blue. The luxury neighborhood was once home to cattle and pig farms back in the 1800s. The upper crust later decided to gentrify the area and all the farms were shut down. From sloppy to swanky.

Kahala Ave

Sitting room only. How many people can fit in a Big Agnes Fly Creek tent? Apparently seven of us. Five over the limit.

Kahala Ave

Alexis doing her best to look terrified. Don’t quit your day job.

Fort Ruger Park

Ferlino waving the flag at the spot known as “Triangle Park” for obvious reasons but was renamed Fort Ruger the Operation Red Wings Medal of Honor Park back in 2008 on Veteran’s Day, to honor the Pearl Harbor based SEALs who perished in 2005 in Afghanistan and Hawaii Medal of Honor recipients.

Diamond Head Rd

A couple of surfers going down to Diamond Head Beach to catch some waves at the surf breaks known as Cliffs and Lighthouse. We’ll just continue walking on the pathway known as Diamond Head Road.

Diamond Head Rd

Going out on a limb. Literally.

Diamond Head Rd

The guys hanging out in a tree, their favorite past time.

Diamond Head Rd

Passing by the navigational aid that was built in 1899 and whose red light can be seen 17 nautical miles from the shoreline.

Leahi Beach Park

Happy Birthday Roger! Tried not to make a fuss over your special day.

Seawall

Following the walkway that connects the two beach parks as the ocean continues its slow and steady erosion of the rock wall.

Makalei Beach Park

Leaving the small park that was home to people sunning themselves rather than surfing out at the breaks known as Graveyards and Suicides.

All pau

We ended at the Dillingham Fountain that was built in 1967 and apparently is under renovation as the lights and water pumps are not working. Deborah went off to swim with the turtles and tourists. The rest of us got shuttled back to our cars by Akira and Robin.

GPS Tracks

Our second perimeter walk was made with the “dirty dozen” that covered roughly 10.15 miles. Fun group, the more the merrier as they say.

Post hike meal

Late lunch at Tex808 where catching food with your mouth is more entertaining than just eating with your mouth.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Alexis Catarina, Chico Cantu, Deborah Tom, Ferlino Carinio, Mari Saito, Marilyn Bermudez, Robin Farr, Roger Schiffman, 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.

We had just hiked over 14 miles in the mountains last weekend, so why not walk over 14 miles this weekend?

Dillingham Fountain

Thanks to Jasmin and Lilia for dropping us off at the fountain that only operates from 6pm to 10pm to conserve water.

Kalakaua Avenue

Chico trying to get up close and personal with the carp fish that are prized for their varied color patterns and can fetch upwards to $20,000 per fish with the desired characteristics prized by collectors.

Kalakaua Avenue

Ferlino playing the free reed wind instrument that was developed in Europe with origins in China. Music to our ears.

Poni Moi Road

Approaching the volcanic tuff cone that is roughly 500,000 years old and was given the name Le’ahi by Hawaiians due to the mountain’s shape that resembles a tuna’s dorsal fin. It also is home to the hardest hike on the island and the ghost of Christmas past.

Diamond Head Road

Double reflections.

Makalei Beach Park

Chico, a practicing member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, looking to get his second one in the park that used to be private beach homes.

Diamond Head Road

Walking on the eroded walkway fronting the beach.

Diamond Head Road

Ferlino hanging off the railing.

Leahi Beach Park

Two monkeys hanging in the tree in the park that was once the Dillingham home.

Diamond Head Lighthouse

Passing by the red beacon that keeps wayward ships from grounding themselves on the coral reefs. The original 40′ lighthouse was built in 1898 and was later replaced by the current 55′ structure in 1917.

Kuilei Cliffs

Watching surfers riding the waves off Le’ahi or Diamond Head.

Kuilei Cliffs

Chico making friends on the walk.

Kuilei Cliffs

Hiding in plane sight, is this obscure bronze plaque that commemorates Amelia Earhart’s solo flight from Hawai’i to California in 1935.

Muriel Flanders Park

Sitting in the shadow of Diamond Head, is this small spit of a park named after a local philanthropist.

Operation Red Wings Medal of Honor Park

Ferlino stopping at the park that was formerly called Fort Ruger Park. It was renamed in honor of the 19 sailors and soldiers that perished in the operation that was named after a hockey team.

Kahala Avenue

Defying the sit-lie rule.

Kahala Avenue

Somebody else was defying as well.

Kealaolu Avenue

Teeing off for the annual Sony Open.

Aloha Island Mart

It seems on this island that everybody knows each other in the hiking community.

Waialae Avenue

Approaching the intersection where H1 Highway ends and Kalaniana’ole Highway starts.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Some people stump for political views, while others stump for photo opportunities.

Aina Haina McDonald’s

We grabbed some happy meals with identical squishmallows at the first golden arches in Hawaii that opened back in 1968.

Calvary by the Sea

I heard this Lutheran Church is a popular venue for weddings.

Kawaikui Beach Park

Powered strictly by physical exercise and carbon dioxide. No stripped mopeds were abused or removed in the making of this photograph. So put your camera away mister bystander.

Paiko Drive

Mari entering the wildlife sanctuary that is also called Sand Point. The area was named after an early Portugese settler named Pico, whose name eventually became Paiko.

Paiko Drive

Looking out towards what British sailors called Diamond Hill in 1825 due to calcite crystals on the nearby beach. It was later changed to Diamond Headland and shortened to what most people call it today.

Paiko Lagoon

Pre-recorded message being played for our convenience. Many beach communities are being restricted by people outside of Hawai’i who want the land all to themselves and will go to great lengths and deception to keep it that way, which always results in friction between the locals and the newcomers.

Paiko Lagoon

“Bushwhacking” our way through the small section of forested area.

Paiko Lagoon

Following the sandy shoreline.

Paiko Lagoon

We soon ran out of dry sand to walk on and had to go barefoot to traverse the small channel.

Paiko Lagoon

The rest of the group getting their feet wet.

Paiko Lagoon

Drying our feet on driftwood with background views of Koko Crater and Koko Head.

Paiko Lagoon

Fishing dog.

Paiko Lagoon

Some jumped.

Paiko Lagoon

Others got carried.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Are we in Hawai’i Kai? The Hawaiian land division of Waimanalo actually ranges from Kuli’ou’ou to Keolu Hills.

Maunalua Bay

Looking out into the bay that was once home to a 523 acre fishpond that spanned from Kuli’ou’ou to Portlock. The British called it King George Bay when they landed in 1786, but the name never stuck.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Crossing over the bridge that is at the mouth of the Hawaii Kai Marina that was formerly called Kuapa Pond.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Chico wooing his third one in order to enter the highest heaven as taught by the FLDS. This one just got dead flowers thrown on the side of the road. I guess we know where she stands in the hierarchy of life.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Crossing over the pedestrian bridge as we passed somebody enjoying their solitary lunch.

Leonard’s Malasada

We stopped at Koko Marina Center for some sugar coated fried Portugese pastry. Thanks to Chico for the tasty treats.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Burning off the recently acquired calories as we walked up the hill.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

The group found a red beaked bird that had flown its wings for the last time. Endemic or invasive?

Hanauma Bay

Group photo at the entrance to the popular marine bay that was once the playground for Hawaiian nobility and is now limited to 720 people daily from the unrestricted highs of 10,000 visitors a day.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Leaving the Toilet Bowl as we approached views of Koko Crater and the rugged coastline.

Lana’i Lookout

Group photo at the popular scenic point. Is that a whale breaching offshore?

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Where is the sidewalk?

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Going underneath the spandrel arch bridge that was built back in 1931.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Descending down to the rugged coastline that was being battered by high surf.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Never turn your back towards the ocean.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Going through the lava tube that would spit us out back on the highway.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

The girls waiting for us to come back. No venturing off the beaten path for them today.

Japanese Fishing Shrine

Group photo at the Umi Mamori Jizo shrine carved out of lava rock in 1940 that was dedicated to keeping fishermen safe from the often turbulent waters.

Halona Puka

We walked out further to explore a hole in the rocks.

Halona Blowhole

Watching the sea spray shooting out of the lava tube. In 2002, Daniel Dick decided to straddle the blowhole, despite warnings from bystanders and signs, the 18 year old was thrown in the air from the geyser and fell head first into the lava tube and drowned as a result.

Halona Cove

Marco?

Halona Cove

No Polo from the spit of sand that is also called Cockroach Beach.

Halona Blowhole

We took a group photo at the popular lookout since the geyser show stopped.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Approaching the popular bodyboarding spot known to Hawaiians as Wawamalu. The shore breaks attract bodyboarders and bodysurfers but the beach also accounts for the highest incidents of water-related spinal cord injuries on the island, earning it another nickname, “break-neck beach.” This is also President Obama’s favorite beach and the city council tried renaming the beach after him in 2014. Luckily, the move gained no traction with the public.

Sandy Beach

Somebody was not getting enough airflow to lift off. Get a motorized one pal.

Kealahou Street

Tessa checking out her haul for the day: North Face cap, Korean sunglasses and a Japanese charm.

All pau

We reached our cars at the cul-de-sac and caught the sunburst behind us.

GPS Tracks

Our longest section of the perimeter walk stretched over 14 miles with a fun group. Post hike meal at Mama Pho, the less crowded of the Vietnamese restaurants.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Chico Cantu, Ferlino Carinio, Mari Saito, 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.

‘Twas the morning of Christmas, when all through the tuff cone
not a coqui frog was calling, not even an iPhone.

When out on the pillbox, there arose such a clatter,
we sprang from the summit to see what was the matter.
Away to the railing we flew like a flash,
sailing over the fence and made a mad dash.

When to our squinty eyes, still crusted with makapiapia, what should appear,
but a six foot douglas fir tree twinkling with colored lights and branches bowed with shiny spheres.

Group photo by Ted Calvero

We all flocked to the tree like so many mynah birds,
as Hawaiian Santa, a braddah of few words,
called out his naughty and nice list;
Brian, Dale, Jasmin, Kenji, Lene, Masako, Matt, Rocky, Scott, Shirley, Ted, Tina and Yoly!

Group photo by Ted Calvero

Hawaiian Santa paused as he looked us over and said oh wait,
Chris B was running late.
Missing but in spirit were Chris C, Ethan, Glenn and Lee.
Now no trail should be classified as right or wrong,
there’s no further need to sing that old song.

Sunrise by Yoly Bedford

We opened our wrapped presents that were filled with rocks,
as we shivered in the winter air, cold down to our socks.
But the real present was the sunrise and Christmas company,
we had cookies, mochi, eggnog and warm milk to pass around; but alas, no bubbly.

Hawaiian Santa by Ted Calvero

Down the pillbox, Hawaiian Santa came down with a hoot.
He was dressed in a loud Hawaiian shirt and surfer shorts to boot.
His brow was rimmed by a lauhala hat,
and he was obviously a Democrat.

Drone view by Brian Connors

And flashing a shaka, up the pillbox he rose;
He sprang to his outrigger canoe that was pulled by nine pua’a.
And away they all flew, to the next luau.

Crater rim

But I heard him shout, before he put on his spikes,
“Mele Kalikimaka to all, and to all a good hike!”

Maunawili

The weather outside was so delightful,
so Yoly and I drove to Maunawili Valley to get another sightful.

Trailhead

Yoly making her way up the corridor of trees,
hoping not to run into any bees.

Warning

We were checking the list twice,
to take in all the good advice.

Piliwale Ridge

Taking a peek past the trees,
we saw the ridge was going to be a tight squeeze.

Piliwale Ridge

A hop and a scotch,
and Yoly was out of the notch.

Piliwale Ridge

Yoly climbing up between a tree and a rock,
as it was a trail of hard knocks.

Piliwale Ridge

Scrambling up a couple more rock faces,
to get to our other places.

Piliwale Ridge

Throw me down some webbing,
so I can make it home to my bedding.

Piliwale Ridge

We paused on the ridge to take a selfie,
as we wanted to look somewhat beastly.

Piliwale Ridge

The weather outside became so frightful,
we were just glad there was no lightning.

Piliwale Ridge

The ridge wrapped in clouds to the highest peak,
was looking somewhat bleak.

Nu’uanu Saddle

We took a right,
hoping to see some daylight.

Nu’uanu Saddle

The further down we went,
the more hurried was our descent.

Mud Wall By Yoly Bedford

Stepping down the mud wall,
slowly I went otherwise I would end up in a sprawl.

Nu’uanu Saddle

The winds picked up something fierce,
which made our balance somewhat worse.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Hiking in the clouds,
beats walking with the crowds.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Climbing down backwards,
can sometimes feel awkward.

Nu’uanu Saddle

The gusts continued unabated,
which made us feel refrigerated.

Nu’uanu Saddle

When grabbing handholds of uki grass,
is all that keeps you from landing on your ass.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Looking down at the lookout,
I had to give out a shout.

Nu’uanu Saddle by Yoly Bedford

Staring down at the drop,
I couldn’t help but to look at all the treetops.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Yoly coming around the contour,
as she should’ve took the detour.

Chimney by Yoly Bedford

Sitting on the chimney,
where it was quite windy.
Ho Ho Ho.

Chimney

The rain started sideway sheeting,
so it’s best that our stay here be fleeting.

Chimney by Yoly Bedford

Goodbyes are always hard,
so just send a postcard.

Pali Notches by Yoly Bedford

Climbing up when it’s windy,
at least it’s no chimney.

Pali Notches

One notch was all that was left,
standing between us and some rest.

All pau

Yoly about to finish the hike,
all she wants is her missing spike.

GPS Tracks

Our merry and short stroll covered 2.46 miles. Mahalo to Chris for picking us up and taking us back to our cars. No post meal hike on this Christmas Day. Happy Holidays to all.

Note: I have been made aware the 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.

Wishing to explore the iconic symbol of Hawaii but wanting to stay away from the high heeled hordes that flood Diamond Head daily, I decided to literally borrow a page from a published list that details the many other ridges of Diamond Head.

Full moon

Met up with George and Glenn at the trailhead that was sandwiched in between expensive real estate. Parking is not free.

Abandoned reservoir

Grafitti, trash and shrubbery have taken over. Photo by Glenn Toyama.

Hello?

Looking up, we saw the tourists gawking at the sights below them.

Follow the cable

Cables are laid out on some of the ridges and the entire crater rim.

A ridge too far

Another ridge to explore for another day.

Ratty ropes

Climbing up the rocky face, ropes are present but not needed. Photo by George Vuong.

Looking back

The ridge we had just climbed up.

Good morning Waikiki

The sun was casting its reflection across the waters of Waikiki.

Crowded at the summit

Lots of leg room here. Group photo left to right: Glenn, myself and George.

Down the stairs

We went down the stairs to connect back to the rim.

Fire control station

Looking back at the four level command post that was completed in 1911.

On the rim

George on the ocean side of the rim.

Diamond Head Lighthouse

Keeping the ships away since 1899.

Pillbox junction

The last exposed bunker on the ocean side of the rim.

Coming up

Glenn checked out the lower level of the bunker. No homeless reported. But we did see what looked like several homeless camps in the gullies of the outside crater.

Another bunker

Looking down at one of the two bunkers that are emplaced below the rim on the ocean side.

Looking back at the rim

The sun was slowly chasing the shade away.

Crumbly way down

George and Glenn making their way down the loose and crumbly trail.

Concrete way down

A roughly poured concrete strip goes down from the bunker to Diamond Head road. Read that people use this to run up to the crater rim.

On the road again

We popped out on the road and began walking to the next ridge that would take us back to the rim.

Going back up

Figuring out which ridge to go up. A guy shouted to us that we were going up the wrong way and lots of people have been helicoptered out going this way. Really?

Contouring the concertina wire

The two lower bunkers were heavily ringed with rolls of concertina wire which forced us to contour to the sides to avoid death by a thousand cuts.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Back on the rim

It was getting hot on the exposed rim.

Search light bunker

Looking into the last extant bunker that used to house one of six search lights.

Twin bunkers

Followed the trail down between two former anti-aircraft bunkers that led us to the Kahala tunnel entrance.

Road less traveled

Took a side road that hugged the crater.

Storage tunnel

One of seven storage tunnels bored into the crater walls.

Back up

The road eventually terminated and we followed the closest ridge back up to the rim.

Ala Wai Canal

Looking at Ala Wai Canal, created in 1928 that drained the swamps and created the Waikiki that we know today.

Blown away

It was a windy day on the rim. Claimed my boonie hat. Time to visit the surplus shop.

Scrambling up

George going up a rock face on the rim.

Clear day

The Ko’olau mountain range in the background.

Balancing

George traversing a narrow section of the rim.

Urban sprawl and crawl

A sea of urbanization spilling from the mountains to the ocean.

Scooting the rim

George going across the last narrow rim section.

Scenic point

Views of Waikiki and the Waianae mountain range in the background.

Tourists

We completed the rim loop at the lookout. More tourists.

Claustrophobic?

Glenn felt a little claustrophobic going through the dimly lit tunnel. Lucky it was a short walk.

Traffic jam

It was a chore navigating the crowd of high heels, slippers and dress shoes.

Abunai!

Going out the Kahala Tunnel.

GPS Tracks

Hiking the crater rim covered 4.7 miles under hot, crumbly and fun conditions. So far, explored seven ridges and fourteen more left!

There was a full moon out tonight and instead of howling, we went hiking up Diamond Head. Picked up Chris and David from KCC and parked in a sleepy residential neighborhood side street. Started off a little past 3:30am and scrambled through dry grass, kiawe trees and crumbly terrain as we made our way up the crater rim.

Pillbox bunker

David and Chris silhoutted on the first pillbox bunker.

Crater rim

From the second pillbox bunker, we could see the city lights of Waikiki cast her glow behind the crater rim.

Diamond Head lighthouse

Looking down at Diamond Head Road and Lighthouse from the third pillbox bunker.

Fire Control Station

Looking at the fire control station buried at the top of Leahi or Diamond Head from the fourth pillbox bunker. Since we had time to kill, we climbed up the front of the fire control station to the lookout.

City lights

City lights of Waikiki from the fifth pillbox bunker.

Diamond Head crater floor, Koko Crater and Koko Head

At 6:00am, the tunnel opened and a stream of headlights announced that Diamond Head was open for business.

Best seats in the house

The best seats in the house was on the fifth pillbox bunker and not the lookout. As the lookout was soon to be as congested as the malls are during holiday shopping.

The Lookout at 6:00am

At 6:00am, the Diamond Head Lookout was very peaceful and quiet. That was about to change.

The Lookout at 6:40am

Soon we saw bobbing figures with flashlights making their way up the trail and to the lookout. It filled up pretty fast and the chatterings of English, Japanese and Korean drifted our way. Some folks made their way to the fifth pillbox and shattered our exclusivity and unfettered views.

Sunrise

Sunrises are always pretty to watch, but even more spectacular when you’re on top of a mountain.

Panoramic view from Diamond Head

Click here for the larger image.

Diamond Head Tunnel

Now the most dangerous part of the hike, we had to walk out of the tunnel without getting hit by the cars that were coming in and out of Diamond Head Crater.

Having never done a night hike, well intentionally, we decided that this month’s full moon or blue moon was too good to pass up a chance to hike the entire crater rim of Diamond Head at night. I met up with Chris, Chance “Shoeless”, Kaimi and Sina at 9:30pm. Thanks to Dave for the directions! We skirted the guardrail at the end of the street and made our way up to the crater rim. The full moon was very bright, making it quite easy to see where we were going, we didn’t even need flashlights.

Military Bunker

Once we got to the rim, I attached a chemlight to one of the Kiawe tree branches to mark our return spot and then we headed left to the lookout. We soon came upon this half buried bunker with the roof partially open, as we peered inside with the assistance of our cell phone flashlights, we could see flags and pictures inside the bunker. There are actually stairs that lead down to this bunker, but it was locked. With no way of getting inside, short of climbing in from the top; which Chance was vigorously trying to persuade us to do, we continued our way on the rim. I also didn’t realize that there are roads inside the crater that are actually quite close to the rim in some areas.

Waikiki at Night

We soon passed two more pillbox bunkers and then ran across the remnants of barbed wire on the ocean side, probably dating back from World War 2. The rim gradually became steeper as we headed towards the lookout.

Panoramic night view from the lookout

Click here to see the larger panoramic image taken by Chris with his phone.

Where’s the moon?

Clouds started to hide the moon from us for a couple hours and gently pelted us with light showers. We got to the lookout around midnight just in time to take shelter from the light drizzle.

Diamond Head Lookout

The showers soon stopped out and the moon came back out. The night views of the city lights from the top at 761′ were just amazing, unfortunately most of my pictures came out either blurry or dark. So much for night mode on my camera. We then left the lookout and passed the last bunker on the rim and made our way down. Some parts of the rim narrowed considerably and there were a couple rock faces we had to climb down, all in the moonlit darkness. Sina soon ran out of gas around 3:10am and couldn’t go further; so we agreed that Chris, Kaimi and Sina would head down in the crater and camp out until the park opened at 6am. Chance and I would return back to where we had started from and pick them up at the bus stop inside the crater when they opened. We continued on the now flat rim trail, an irony that we passed on to the rest of the group when we saw them in the morning, passed the communications tower and headed back down the crater and got to our cars around 4:45am.

Panoramic view of Diamond Head

We drove to the lookout point that is right before the Diamond Head Kahala Tunnel and took a power nap. At around 5:45am, we woke up to hordes of tourists milling around and waiting for the gates to open. After the long stream of tour buses made their way into the tunnel and gave us a chance to get in, we picked up the rest of the group and headed home to a well deserved sleep. Click here to see the larger image of Diamond Head Crater Rim from inside the park.

Rain rain go away, come again another day. That childhood nursery rhyme was going through my head as I pulled in Wa’ahila Park at the top of St. Louis Heights to be greeted by morning showers. I met Jason there, as Glenn had bugged out due to the rain. We talked about it and hoped the rain would pass, so we got into my car and drove to Hawaii Loa to start our hike at 7:15am.

Going up Hawaii Loa Ridge

As we made our way up Hawaii Loa ridge, the clouds seemed to be settling lower and lower on the Koolau Mountain tops. The rain had not followed us, but what we got instead was clumps of dirty water drops.

Hawaii Loa Summit

We got to the top of Hawaii Loa Summit at 2,520 feet in whiteout conditions. The views of Waimanalo and the Windward side of the island were nowhere to be seen. Not having anything to keep us at the summit, we proceeded to follow the heavily vegetated trail on the left.

Wailupe Middle Ridge

We hiked the Koolau Summit Ridge in the clouds and at times, could barely see in front of us. The top of Wailupe Middle Ridge harbored the same whiteout conditions we had hoped we left behind at Hawaii Loa. There was a little sign on the ground that pointed in the direction of Wailupe Loop, didn’t seem too stable as somebody or something could easily move the marker.

Wiliwilinui Ridge

About an hour later, we still had no view at Wiliwilinui ridge. But we did see the communication tower appearing out of the clouds like a pirate ship. I was beginning to think the whole hike was going to be in these conditions, a total bummer.

Diamond Head

A funny thing happend coming down from Lanipo where we had our lunch, the clouds started to clear up. As we made our way down into this little valley and climbed back out of it, the views started opening up, which gave us renewed energy to push on.

Mount Olympus

We could finally see our goal ahead of us, which was Mount Olympus or Awaawaloa.

Panoramic view going toward Mount Olympus

Click here for the larger image which shows the split views of the Town and Windward side.

Ka'au Crater

As we passed the two powerlines on the ridge, we saw the marsh filled Ka’au crater nestled against the Koolau Mountains.

We're coming Zeus!

Little wisps of clouds started rolling in from the Windward side, threatening to cover the summit. That made me push harder to get to the top as I didn’t want to miss an opportunity for a clear view from the top, something which rarely happens. 

Olomana

Going up Mount Olympus, we had to climb a narrow and rocky ridge that was followed by a 10′ rockface and a somewhat steep hill. No ropes required.

Top of Mount Olympus

The top of Mount Olympus at a little over 2,400 feet was remarkably devoid of clouds, the last time I was here, there was zero visibility. The original plan was to continue until Manoa Middle Ridge and then double back. That would have completed the last part we needed to finish hiking the Eastern part of the Koolaus. But that idea was scratched due to lack of time and being plain tired on our parts. So we began the long descent down the Waahila Ridge trail towards our car.

Panoramic view of Manoa Valley and Town

Click here for the larger image of Palolo and Manoa Valleys.

The long trail home

Only twenty minutes until we get back to the trailhead (inside joke).

Need water!

We completed the hike in twelve hours, which was drawn out by being tuckered out and a tad dehydrated as we didn’t bring enough water. But how often, can you do three hikes all rolled into one?

Diamond Head, known to Hawaiians as Le’ahi has got to be one of the most hiked places on Oahu due to it’s ease of access and scenic views. You can thank the US Army in 1908 for carving out the trails, steps, tunnels and fortifications that make this hike what it is today.

Kahala Tunnel

You can either walk or drive through this tunnel. Either way you are going to pay a dollar or five dollars respectively to the parking lot attendant that awaits you on the other side of this tunnel. However, the tunnel is not meant for people and cars to co-exist at the same time, as it’s quite narrow. My wife and I decided to take the safer route and drive through the tunnel.

Information Center

One can learn some facts and trivia about Diamond Head here, before heading out for the .8 mile walk up to the summit. Bring comfortable shoes, water and sunscreen. This is the only place where you will find bathrooms. Start the hike early, that way you beat the sun and the crowds.

Crater floor

Here you can see the floor of the crater and parts of Hawaii Kai and Waimanalo past the rim.

74 steps

These steps will lead you into the first tunnel. No need to bring flashlights as it’s lighted. In the old days, we walked barefoot and had no lights.

99 steps

That song “99 bottles of beer on the wall” pops into mind. Just when you thought you were finished climbing steps. The cross-beams were used for camouflage in the old days.

How high are we?

Question answered. Some people’s heads will be hanging down by the time they reach the top of the stairs, so they shouldn’t miss this elevation marker.

Dizzy yet?

Round and round you go on the 52 spiral stairs, until you reach the Fire Control Station.

Nice view

Looking out to Waikiki through the Fire Control Station slits once covered by metal shutters.

Keep your distance

Walking along the trail, you can see Diamond Head Lighthouse at the bottom. Built in 1917, it can shine it’s light 18 miles out towards the Pacific Ocean.

Traffic

Last set of 54 stairs which replaced the old ladder to the summit.

Protecting Waikiki

Remnants of the once extensive military fortifications that used to ring the crater.

Rainbow shot

Photo at the top of the 760′ lookout. Then we joined the rest of the moving mass of humanity to go back down.