We walked around the Windward side of the island to collect Easter eggs but failed to meet the Easter Bunny today.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

Leaving Groot and Lilia behind us as we started our day.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

Chico plucking some ripe calamansi from the nearby shrub, which turned out to be real sour and became regurgitated.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

Passing by the townhome community developed in the early 1970s that transformed this former agricultural area into a residential development.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

ChatGPT photo at an intersection. Where did those mangoes come from?

Kaneohe Bay Drive

Practicing for the Coconut Tree Climbing Championship. ‘E’ita!

Kaneohe Bay Drive

Gas prices are skyrocketing, so time to trade in the car for the ultimate green, zero-emission mode of transport, the shopping cart. This cultural symbol of modern consumerism was invented in 1937 by Sylvan Goldman of Humpty Dumpty Supermarkets in Oklahoma.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

Yielding to vehicular traffic on the road.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

Even drones fall from trees. Monkeys are safe today.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

Group photo on the tree that few climbed, the rest of us stayed on terra firma.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

Just missing the bubblegum. Is that how they used to dance back in the day?

N Kalaheo Avenue

Groot was here.

N Kalaheo Avenue

Crossing over Kawainui Canal that was constructed in 1952 for flood control but has resulted in Hamakua Marsh slowly drying out. Unintended consequences.

Beach Access

The guys sticking it on the chain link fence. All beaches in Hawaii are public with the exception of military bases and there must be public access pathways. However, some financially entitled owners try to claim the beach fronting their property as their own, which leads to friction with locals and transplants.

Beach Access

Why can’t we have nice toys like these? The usual suspects.

Kailua Beach

Getting our feet sandy on part of the 2.5 mile beach that has been ranked as one of the best beaches in the world.

Private Road

Back on the road again.

N Kalaheo Avenue

Passing by the Naupaka Kahakai flowers that are only found by the ocean. They only have half the petal as there is another half of the flower called Naupaka Kuahiwi that are only found in the mountains. Legend has it that these were two lovers that were killed due to a forbidden romance and were turned into ocean and mountain flowers, forever separated in life and death.

Mo’okua Street

We were looking for a garage sale and instead found a house filled with driftwood artistic interpretations.

McDonald’s

Sitting on hamburger stools, possibly the last restaurant out of 72 stores in Hawaii that still has these nostalgic seats.

Uloha

We decided to check out the store whose acronym means “Uncle’s Local Outfitter of Hawaiian Adventures.” The original town store opened in 2017 and this second location opened in 2024 due to strong demand. Buy local, when you can afford it.

Uloha

Thanks to Tessa for pointing out that they were Easter Eggs hidden in the store and they each were worth from 10% to 50% off on store merchandise. Our group found all five and purchased stuff we wouldn’t have if it weren’t for the discounts. We also met Micah who rang up our sales and found out he was another fleet of foot KST hiker. Watch out Derek, Dylan and Conrad. He told us he hiked from Pupukea to Pali in a day and change. To be young again.

Tokyo Central

Having fun with dollar bubbles and seasonal Peeps.

Paia Fishmarket

Ending my 46 days of self-imposed ban on Coca-Cola as we had our lunch at one of the restaurants that had its origins in the plantation town of Pa’ia.

Hamakua Drive

Ok, now how do I get back up to the bridge? With a little help from my friends.

Keolu Drive

Walk with Aloha!

Keolu Drive

All pau. Perfect timing as the rain started to fall from the heavens as we made it back to our cars. We drove to Windward Mall to take a photo with the Easter Bunny only to find out he didn’t show up for work. It’s like finding out that Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy doesn’t exist. Crushed dreams.

GPS Tracks

Our Easter Egg walk and #16 of the perimeter walks covered 6.2 miles with fun friends and good times.

Ka hale o Cantu

The group continuing the tradition that started in Protestant Germany in the 16th century.

Ka hale o Cantu

Some found more than one Easter Egg. Lucky them.

Ka hale o Cantu

What do we have here? One egg was worth more than the 50% off previously discovered, actually the value was to the end consumer, the right end consumer. The others contained George Washington bills not yet autographed by the 47th President. Thanks to everybody that came out for the Easter Egg walk and only one more to go!

Photos/Crew taken by Akira Suzuki, Aida Gordon, Chico Cantu, Cristy CM, Mari Saito, Marilyn Bermudez, 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.

The group did a rather “chill” hike today, as some days has to be easy and some hard. Today was the former.

Enchanted Lakes

We secured parking in the neighborhood that was created in 1959 by partially filling in Ka’elepulu Pond, a historical Hawaiian fishing pond. A similar fate was in store for Kuapa Pond on the East side in 1961, which created the community of Hawaii Kai.

Ka’iwa Ridge

The group scrambling up the hill passing the invasive koa haole trees that were deemed amongst the top 100 worst invasive species in the world. The diminished Ka’elepulu Pond surrounded by homes can be seen in the background. In 1979, the US Army Corps of Engineers ruled that the pond was a navigable water of the US and therefore open to the public. The issue died a quiet death after the US Supreme Court ruled that Kuapa Pond while also being navigable, was not open to the public as well. Money talks, public access walks.

Ka’iwa Ridge

Panoramic views of Kailua Bay and beyond. Is this the three rocks or three kooks?

Ka’iwa Ridge

Getting down was more awkward for some than others.

Ka’iwa Ridge

We took a short detour to check out what appeared to be a bunker. Objects may be larger than they appear. And we are not even driving.

Ka’iwa Ridge

Group photo on top of the small structure of unknown utility.

Ka’iwa Ridge

Following the undulating ridge line that was bordered with US Government signs warning of no trespassing into Bellows Field.

Ka’iwa Ridge

What goes down, must come back up.

Ka’iwa Ridge

Looking out towards Bellows Field, when its airstrips were shuttered in 1958, the area became a recreation area for military personnel.

Ka’iwa Ridge

Approaching the oft photographed spot of Na Mokulua (two islands), the original Hawaiian names have been lost to posterity.

Ka’iwa Ridge

We followed the dragon fruit corridor to do some bunker exploration; where we would find insane overgrowth, expected graffiti, surprisingly small spaces and an unexpected scare.

Battery Wailea

Standing on the remains of what used to be the gun emplacement that was used for coastal defense from 1942-1945.

Wailea Point

Chico found out where the trail ends. Private property. In old Hawaii, before European contact, the concept of private property did not exist. All lands were owned by the different gods and managed by the ruling class. The Great Mahele of 1848 was passed under the guise of providing titled land to the Hawaiians, in reality, it opened the door for the fire sale of land to the Westerners who eventually displaced the native Hawaiians in the name of development.

Thee Rocks

Playing on rocks.

Thee Rocks

Fitting eight people on three rocks. Mathematical shortcut.

Ka’iwa Ridge

One step at a time.

Ka’iwa Ridge

Leaving the ridge line behind and getting back into civilization. No 7-11’s around. Are we not civilized?

Lanikai

Walking through the neighborhood that was originally called Ka’ohao which means to join together. Charles Frazier purchased the land with the intentions of building an exclusive beachside community in 1924. Frazier wanted to give it a name that meant “heavenly sea,” but instead of calling it the grammatically correct, Kailani, he called it Lanikai.

Ka’iwa Ridge

Joining the throngs of tourist and locals to hike up to the WW2 structures that have become a victim of social media and its own popularity. Crushing crowds, trail erosions and environmental impacts have all contributed to its current situation with nearby residents demanding that the State manage the area more effectively for the betterment of the trail, homeowners and hikers alike.

Ka’iwa Ridge

Scrambling up the trail.

Fire Control Station Podmore

Hanging out at the single story North Structure (29A) which was built as an observation station to support Battery Wailea and nearby artillery batteries.

Fire Control Station Podmore

Group photo at what most people call one of the Lanikai Pillboxes. The name is a misnomer as a pillbox is a defensive structure usually bristling with machine guns and other armaments. Tomato. Tomatoe.

Ka’iwa Ridge

Some took longer than others to leave the first structure. Perhaps it was to soak in the panoramic views of the Windward coast. Perhaps it was documentation for personal consumption.

Ka’iwa Ridge

It was a hop, skip and a jump to the second WW2 structure.

Fire Control Station Podmore

Waiting for the Korean Army to leave before checking out the two-tiered South Structure (29B & 29C).

Fire Control Station Podmore

Final group photo of the day. Many clean up groups periodically come up and remove the graffiti from the WW2 structures. Losing battle. These are man-made structures, they will get tagged and most of them are actually approaching “art.” Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Ka’iwa Ridge

Taking the trail back down to our cars.

Ka’iwa Ridge

One rock is just as good as three rocks.

Ka’iwa Ridge

I heard there was supposed to have been a race on this trail. Just a rumor? Just as well, it was hot as heck on the ridge today.

All pau

We got back down to our cars and back into a civilized air conditioning environment.

GPS Tracks

Our scenic loop hike covered 4.57 miles with a fun group. Thanks to Allison for putting this together. Post hike meal at Round Table Pizza, where the eyes were bigger than the stomachs. The Korean place was closed.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Allison Banks, Chico Cantu, Mari Saito, Marilyn Bermudez, Susan Katz, 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.

The Lanikai Pillbox or Ka’iwa Ridge Trail was a welcome break after the taxing hike we did two weeks ago. Having done this short and easy hike a couple times before but always ending at the second pillbox, I decided to stretch it out a bit and finish it at Luika Place. That being said, I picked up my friend at Luika Place and drove towards Mid-Pacific Country Club. If you plan to meet up in this area, make sure you agree on a time and place as cell phone service for T-Mobile users does not work in that part of Lanikai.

Trailhead

We found cars were quickly filling up the limited parking on Ka’elepulu Drive and took one of the last few spaces. This is a very popular hike with locals and tourists alike, even President Obama made it up here last month.

View from the First Pillbox

The view from the first pillbox goes to show that you can still get great views from 500+ feet and one doesn’t have to always climb 2,500+ feet ridgelines to get fantastic views, although it doesn’t hurt : ). Click here to see the original and much larger panoramic image.

Mount Olomana

We made our way past the second pillbox, before heading down the trail to look towards Mount Olomana. Having done that hike before, I heard that you can climb down the backside of the third peak or Ahiki, but that’s for another day.

Enchanted Lakes

Looking towards the Enchanted Lakes neighborhood, home to Kaelepulu pond that once covered nearly 190 acres before development shrunk it down to it’s present 79 acres. Click here to see the original and much larger panoramic image.

Lanikai Pillboxes

Looking back at the two pillboxes or bunkers that were built in 1942 to serve as observation posts and fire control stations for the gun batteries that used to be at Bellows. Now it’s home to grafitti and people taking in the views.

Na Mokulua

Coming down the trail, the two islands offshore seemed very close. The Mokulua islands, in Hawaiian, means two islands. They are also called “The Moks” or “The Twin Islands.” The larger island is called Moku Nui and the smaller, Moku Iki. Many kayakers visit the larger island and it does get crowded on the weekends.

Trail view

Here is a panaromic view of the trail, which we started from the left and will end going down the ridge in the middle. To the right, you can see Bellows airfield which I believe is now defunct. Click here to see the original and much larger panoramic image.

Slippery slope down

Going down the hill towards my friends truck that was parked at Luika Place was probably the hardest part of the hike as the trail was composed of loose rocks and dirt. All in all, it was a short and sweet hike that took us a little over an hour to complete. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday morning.