Google Maps said our perimeter hike today should only register around seven miles. Not only humans make mistakes.

Kualoa Beach Park

We all met up at the park steeped in history as it was associated with Hawaiian royalty, refuge and spiritual significance.

Hau’ula

That was a long bus ride! You sure this is only seven miles?

Hau’ula

Some suspicious minded individuals had to conduct their own independent confirmations. Shouts of 9 and 10 miles rang out. Are we not hikers?

Kamehameha Highway

The place to get a real kanak attack. Too early in the day.

Kamehameha Highway

Navigating the Kaipapa’u Stream Bridge Replacement construction barricades and detours.

Kapalaoa Beach

Scott the swinger. That doesn’t look too hard.

Kapalaoa Beach

Train wreck in progress. Woman down! Don’t worry, I do this for a living.

Kamehameha Highway

On the Windward side, the shoulder is your sidewalk.

Hau’ula Beach Park

Bathroom break.

Kamehameha Highway

Looking for souvenirs. Look harder.

Kamehameha Highway

Crossing over Maakua Stream.

Kamehameha Highway

The only ones straddling this now stripped coconut tree are these thin shelled a’ama crabs.

Kamehameha Highway

Passing this honey stand, as this was the closest we were getting to the state park that harbors Kaliuwa’a, where a rockslide on May 9, 1999 killed eight people and injured many others. It has been closed to the public ever since that tragic day.

Hale Aha Beach

Monkey see, monkey do.

Kamehameha Highway

Splash of color on the road.

St. Joachim Catholic Church

Passing this simple clapboard church dedicated in 1919.

Kaya’s Store

Supporting local. This store has been around since 1946, where it started as a butcher shop and evolved into today’s convenience store.

Ching’s Punaluu Store

This local store has been in business even longer, since 1935.

Kamehameha Highway

Looking out towards Kahana Bay.

Kamehameha Highway

Skipped the shrimp and went straight to swinging.

Punalu’u Beach Park

Better than the bushes.

Kamehameha Highway

Even the ocean needs shade.

Kamehameha Highway

Makeshift marina.

Kamehameha Highway

The breath of life.

Kamehameha Highway

Paddlers in Kawa Stream.

Kamehameha Highway

Walking on the road that is constantly being eroded by the ocean and passing the reopened Crouching Lion Restaurant. Lunch?

Kamehameha Highway

“No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings.” – William Blake.

Kamehameha Highway

Snack stop at the 7-11 right across Swanzy Beach Park. Walking is hard work.

Kamehameha Highway

The popular slogan plastered all over the areas not yet touched by commercial and large scale residential development originated in the late 1960s on the North Shore side of the island.

Kamehameha Highway

Walking on the road against the backdrop of wind rippled waves.

Kualoa Sugar Mill

Standing against the ruins of the first steam-powered mill on the island that was built in 1863.

Kualoa Ranch

I guess this is the closest we are getting to Maui’s fish hook.

Kualoa Beach Park

Carrying a stick with two flags all day is hard work.

Kualoa Beach Park

Our last group photo of the day with Mokoli’i in the background. Hawaiian legend has it that the basalt islet is the tip of the tail of a giant lizard that was killed and thrown in the bay by Hi’iaka, the younger sister of Pele.

GPS Tracks

Our #12 perimeter walk covered 10.7 miles on the Windward coastline with fun company. Post hike meal at Pieology as the food court was all filled up.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Allison Banks, Cristy CM, Kenny Lui, Mari Saito, Marilyn Bermudez, Scott Dea, 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.

Our perimeter walks seemed to be getting shorter in mileage as the heat increases. Inverse relationship in action.

Kualoa Beach Park

Bus fare or Holo card in hand, we boarded the bus that would take us to our starting point.

Kamehameha Highway

How many miles will we cover today?

Kamehameha Highway

Passing some of the 568′ tall wind turbines that make up the Kahuku Wind Farm. These giant pinwheels were shipped to Hawaii in 2019 and were met and blockaded by protesters at the port and at the site, police eventually arrested the lot of them so that the installation could be completed. These spinning behemoths have been shown to result in health problems for the residents that live under its shadow. A decision by the Honolulu City Council in 2024 to not allow height repairs and changing the land set back rules will probably result in the windmills coming down between 2031 to 2040 when their power contracts expire. A small victory and relief for the community of Kahuku. This all came about due to the Clean Energy Law that was passed in 2015 that mandates that Hawaii be 100% clean energy by 2045. The State in its infinite wisdom shut down the last coal fired power plant in 2022 to force HECO to comply with the 2045 deadline before ensuring that the raft of wind and solar power can adequately meet the island’s energy needs. Hawaii wanted to be the first in the nation to be 100% fossil fuel free, what a joke. Hawaii can’t even maintain a decent road infrastructure and rein in the cost of living for its residents. Another burden that the incompetent politicians have left as a legacy to its residents.

Kamehameha Highway

We decided to stop at this nearby collection of establishments that were still closed for business. Too early. Come back later.

Kamehameha Highway

Checking out the intricately carved wood sculptures and Tanaka Shrimp which is the successor to Fumi’s that shuttered awhile back.

James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge

Passing the wetland sanctuary established in 1976, that are home to many native and endemic Hawaiian species.

Kamehameha Highway

Waving the flag of the largest country in South America.

Kamehameha Highway

Vinyl and wood co-existing peacefully.

Kamehameha Highway

Group photo in front of a wooden reminder of the trains that used to run in this area. Kahuku Plantation retired its railroad in 1954 in favor of trucks.

Kahuku Sugar Mill

Standing on the remnants of the mill that shut down in 1971 due to Hawaii being unable to compete on the world sugar stage.

Kahuku Sugar Mill

Drone view.

Kahuku Sugar Mill

Is that a gecko or an anole (iguana)?

Kahuku Sugar Mill

Took a photo with the pidgin speaking mongoose.

Kahuku Sugar Mill

Butterfly wings courtesy of the food truck.

Kahuku Superette

Dropping in at the general store that has been around in its present form since 1992 and is credited with popularizing the poke bowl.

Kahuku Superette

We tried the tako poke, ahi poke and the spicy poke. Tako poke was hands down the winner.

Kamehameha Highway

Here comes the rain.

Kamehameha Highway

Cristy picking the milky carissa berries.

Gunstock Ranch

Feeding and petting the horses. Weeds work best, not carrots.

Gunstock Ranch

Wanna hear a horse talk? Anybody got peanut butter?

Kamehameha Highway

Most of the businesses in this Mormon town are closed to observe Sabbath day as one of rest and worship. But I guess even Mormons need gas on Sundays.

Kamehameha Highway

Passing the private college owned and operated by the LDS Church. The nearby Polynesian Culture Center is also owned and operated by the LDS church and serves to preserve the Pacific cultures, teach LDS missionaries the Pacific language and cultures of the island they will work in and provide jobs for the students.

Kamehameha Highway

Can you see me now Hawaiian eyes?

Kamehameha Highway

Sea grapes which are sweet and tart fruits, were introduced to Hawaii as a seashore windbreak.

Kamehameha Highway

You have to watch them bloom at night under a full moon.

Kamehameha Highway

Ancient swings were made of wooden planks and rope hung from tree limbs. If ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Kamehameha Highway

Here comes the rain. Again.

Hau’ula

We stopped to have some food at a local favorite located in a strip mall, Papa Ole’s. However, most of the food was sold out and the wait was at least 35 minutes. So most of us jumped ship and had ice cream at the nearby Baskin-Robbins. 31 flavors. Not quite.

All pau

Boarded the bus back to our cars. Riding in air conditioned comfort.

GPS Tracks

Our abbreviated perimeter walk #11 covered a rather paltry 7.66 miles with good company. We still got more than the recommended 10,000 steps a day for health benefits.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Cristy CM, Dale Yoshizu, Kenny Lui, Mari Saito, Roger Schiffman, Val Wang 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.

It seems to have fallen out of favor to celebrate Christmas on the hardest hike on the island, so we decided to do our interpretation of the island classic of the song written by Eaton “Bob” Magoon, Ed Kenney and Gordon Phelps in 1959.

Waiahole

Numbah one day of Christmas
My Unko gave to me
One Woodstock in one papaya tree

The papaya was introduced to Hawaii in the 1820s by the Spanish explorer turned horticulturist, Don Francisco de Paula Marin.

Punalu’u

Swing and smoke break. This was hard work.

Kaneohe

Numbah two day of Christmas
My Unko gave to me
Two coconuts

Early coconuts were brought to the islands by Polynesian voyagers arriving from Tahiti, they are not native to Hawaii. The only native palm trees are the Loulu, found mostly in the Ko’olau Mountain Range.

Hau’ula

Numbah three day of Christmas
My Unko gave to me
Three dried squid

This chewy snack was likely introduced by Korean immigrants in the early 1900s.

Aliamanu

Will the real Santa please shaka? Santa Claus first appeared in Hawaii in 1858 along with the first Christmas tree at Washington Place.

Aliamanu

Numbah four day of Christmas
My Unko gave to me
Four flower leis

The early Hawaiian settlers brought the craft and tradition of lei making to the islands with them. Today the lei comes in many forms besides flowers, shells, nuts, feathers, money, candy and polyester.

Aliamanu

Numbah five day of Christmas
My Unko gave to me
five stuffed pigs

The hogs were imported to the islands by the early Polynesians, most likely over 800 years ago. One manifestation of the pig is the Hawaiian god, Kamapua’a who could change his forms to suit his wishes.

Haleiwa

Numbah six day of Christmas
My Unko gave to me
six uncoordinated hula dancers

In the absence of a written language, hula developed to pass the cultural knowledge embodied in stories and dances from generation to generation. Protestant missionaries tried to ban hula as they considered them a form of paganism. Then it survived as a tourist attraction until The Merrie Monarch started in 1964, where it started to get back to its roots.

Haleiwa

Somebody got their birthday cupcake early. Early Christmas.

Kahuku

Numbah seven day of Christmas
My Unko gave to me
seven shrimps a swimming
into our mouths

Having our “not have to wait 90 minutes” shrimp lunch at the famous graffiti-covered white truck that supposedly started the garlic shrimp plate lunch back in 1993. The first signature on the truck was by a Ed Hernandez from El Paso, TX in 1994. In 2001, the truck was involved in an armed extortion attempt where the co-owner tried to force the other partner to sell and sign over his interest in the truck. It did not succeed and she was sent to jail.

Aliamanu

Numbah eight day of Christmas
My Unko gave to me
eight out of tune ukulele players
calling Jake Shimabukuro

The history of the ukulele originated in 1879 when three Portuguese immigrants, Manuel Nunes, Augusto Dias, and Jose do Espirito Santo brought with them a small guitar called the braguinha to the islands. The instrument was soon modified to suit local tastes.

Hau’ula

Numbah nine day of Christmas
My Unko gave to me
nine bags of sour poi

Made from the root of the taro plant that came from the Marquesas Islands and eventually became a sacred and staple dish for the Hawaiians. In 1911, the BOH temporarily banned poi as they believed it started a cholera outbreak.

Hau’ula

Numbah ten day of Christmas
My Unko gave to me
ten bottles of beer

The first recorded brewing of beer in Hawaii occurred in 1812 by Don Francisco de Paula Marin, the same individual that brought papaya to the islands among other things. The most famous beer to come out of Hawaii was Primo Lager in 1901, production was moved to the mainland in 1963 but the beer now produced by Pabst can still be found in stores.

Laie

Numbah eleven day of Christmas
My Unko gave to me
eleven missionaries

The first boatload of missionaries arrived in 1820 to spread Christianity and “civilize” the Hawaiian population. Hiram Bingham was the leader of the first wave of missionaries that would forever change the landscape of the islands, for good and bad. His grandson, Hiram Bigham III, became an explorer who “discovered” Machu Picchu and brought it to the attention of the known world at the time.

Aliamanu

Numbah twelve day of Christmas
My Unko gave to me
twelve televisions
on layaway

“Hello Everybody. Welcome to the first official broadcast of KGMB-TV.” Those words ushered in the age of the television to the islands on December 1, 1952. 5:04PM. Four minutes late. Hawaiian time.

Mahalos to Chico and Ferlino for dragging us around the island in their sleds. Easy and fun day.

Photos taken by Akira Suzuki, Chico Cantu, Ferlino Carinio, Jasmin Nepomuceno, Roseann Fai, Tessa Bugay, Val Wang 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.

Rain showers failed to rain on our parade as Aida, Chico, Ferlino, Mari, Tessa and myself started on our fourth perimeter walk.

Kualoa Beach Park

Waiting for the bus as a couple friends failed to wake up in time. The show must go on.

Route 60

Chico catching up on the news.

Chings’ Punaluu Store

Walking on the right side of the road. Or is that the left side?

Punalu’u

Why did the hiker cross the road? To climb a tree.

Kaya’s Store

Sampling the blueberry cheesecake at the family store that was founded in 1946 and started as a hardware and butcher store.

Wat Lao Buddha Sacksith

Praying at entrance to the Laotian Buddhist temple.

Punalu’u

I don’t think there are enough trees in the day for Ferlino to climb them all.

Punalu’u

Bridge walking when there are no sidewalks.

Sacred Falls Park

Taking a photo in front of the park whose trail leads to the now shuttered Sacred Falls. Back on Mother’s Day in 1999, a rockslide killed 8 people and left dozens injured. It has been opined by some that gulch hikes are vastly more dangerous than ridge hike due to the enclosed environment and unpredictable weather and terrain conditions. I am in total agreement. That is why I mostly stick to ridge hiking.

Ching Tong Leong Store

She sells seashells by the seashore. The shells she sells are surely sea shells. So if she sells shells on the sea shore, I’m sure she sells seashore shells.

Hau’ula

Tessa testing her balance on the tree.

Hau’ula

Group photo on the coconut tree.

Hau’ula

360 degree view of us coconuts sitting on the tree.

Hau’ula

If you can’t climb onto the tree, might as well hang upside down from it.

Hau’ula

It was time to make like a coconut, and fall out of the tree.

Hau’ula

Somebody needs to get with the program.

Slurpee Stop

Thanks to Chico for the free carbonated frozen beverages first made by the chain back in 1966.

Hau’ula

Passing by a red hibiscus flower that was the original flower of the territory of Hawaii, until 1988 when the yellow flower was designated the official state flower.

Hau’ula

I’m guessing the slurpee didn’t sit well with Chico.

Hau’ula

Passing by one of many wooden carved statues that represent certain figures that in turn represent their mana or power.

Laie

Somebody said it tastes like dirt and besides, it wasn’t the type of free samples he was looking for.

Laie

I thought his last name was Tongi? His first name is actually William. The singing phenom was the first Pacific Islander to win the 2023 American Idol. Priced out of paradise was the reason his family had to move to Washington. Maybe now they can afford to move back.

Laie

Bunch of swingers.

Laie

No open house today. We are not descendants.

Laie

There’s more than one way to husk a coconut.

Polynesian Cultural Center

Posing in front of some tiki statues in front of the tourist attraction that was built in 1963 to promote the Polynesian culture.

Laie

Bathroom break.

Laie Shopping Center

The security guard made sure we operated the shopping cart in a safe manner. No alcohol was involved as this was a “dry” town.

Laie Hawaii Temple

Passing by the first Mormon temple built outside the mainland back in 1919.

Malaekahana Bike Path

Stepping foot on the bike path that links Laie with Kahuku and was built to encourage exercise in the communities and keep people off the roads.

Malaekahana Bike Path

Looking over at the huge 568′ rotating wind turbines that have been a source of controversy due to the hoary bats being killed by them and the close proximity to homes.

Malaekahana Bike Path

The path was long and hot, but at least it kept us out of harms way. No horses came out to play.

Kahuku

Taking a break at the bus stop from the withering heat.

Kahuku

Hello 911? I need to speak to the po … never mind.

Kahuku

The poke was overrated, but the garlic shrimp lived up to its billing.

Kahuku

Admiring a restored VW Beetle that had its origins in Germany when Adolph Hitler instructed Ferdinand Porsche to design and produce a people’s car (volkswagen) back in 1934. The end of WW2 could have spelled the end of the Beetle, had it not been for the British Army that needed cars during the post war era and thus started up the production line to fill the demand.

Kahuku

Group photo next to the train that the termites will eat.

Kahuku

Passing the “other” shrimp place, that a lot of people say taste better than Giovanni’s. Gasp. Blasphemy. Well, depends on who you talk to.

James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge

This area that was established in 1976, protects one of the few remaining wetlands on the island that are home to a host of endemic and endangered marine life. I’m not sure these two are on the list.

All pau

Everybody got three dollars?

McDonald’s

Ending the day with a McDonald’s McFlurry to cool ourselves off.

GPS Tracks

Our hot as heck walk covered 10.3 miles with a fun group.

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.

Some folks wanted to visit the peak in the areola of the mountains of Hau’ula otherwise known as Pu’u Waiahilaahila. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Hau’ula Homestead Road

Met up with Aida, Analyn, Ani, Cisco, Dale, Janell, Jennifer, Katie, Kip, Margaret, Petra, Quan, Robin and Sally at Hau’ula Beach Park and walked down the lane of barking dogs.

Ma’auka Trailhead

We are not going to Papali.

Streambed

Rock hopping our way across the bed, minus the water. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ma’uka Trail

The calm before the storm.

Java Plum

Analyn picking up some trail snacks.

Ma’uka Trail

Passing a rock climber’s wet dream or worst nightmare. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Trail finding

Somebody was cussing up a storm. And it wasn’t Mother Nature. Photo by Sally Chow.

Trail

Back on the ribboned trail.

Trail

We were deciding to go down this trail as it seemed impassable in terms of overgrowth, when another storm warning was issued. Photo by Jennifer LaRochelle.

Trail

Cisco scouted ahead and reported that the trail looked passable, so down we went.

Trail

Going down the steep hill into the gulch.

Waterfall

Dale on top of the waterfall that somebody was talking about. Perhaps not this one. Photo by Sally Chow.

Trail

Climbing out of the gulch.

Lookout

We ran across a farmer tending and protecting his solar powered patch of …

Flower of the Five Wounds

… non self-pollinating purple passion flowers. Or was it pakalolo? Photo by Sally Chow.

Trail

We retreated from the top where the impassable overgrowth prevented forward movement and found the contour trail below the ridge.

Punaiki Ridge

Climbing through the break in overgrowth to finally gain the ridge. Photo by Petra Raser.

Punaiki Ridge

Looking back at Analyn, Kip and the town of red trees. Not necessarily in that order. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Punaiki Ridge

The winds picked up on the ridge about the same time the storm warning expired. Photo by Sally Chow.

Punaiki Ridge

Somebody was elated to finally discover the difference between riding a dyke and hiking a dike.

Punaiki Ridge

Ani multi-tasking on the dike, climbing and posing. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Punaiki Ridge

Climbing and contouring on the geological sheet of rock.

Punaiki Ridge

Katie climbing up the ridge while Petra sit blocks her. Photo by Margaret Wilson.

Punaiki Ridge

What’s down there? The bottom. Photo by Margaret Wilson.

Punaiki Ridge

Dale climbing down. Photo by Margaret Wilson.

Punaiki Ridge

Aida making her way down. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Boto Rock

Squeezing it to prevent premature excitement from spilling out. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Punaiki Ridge

Quan hugging the boulder tightly as she contours around the ridge. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Punaiki Ridge

Amusement and bemusement. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Punaiki Ridge

Some minor rock scrambling was still ahead of us.

Punaiki Ridge

Looking back as the ridge took on a wider approach. Photo by Jennifer LaRochelle.

Punaiki Ridge

Coming up to the last rock scramble left on the ridge.

Punaiki Ridge

Progress halted. Photoshoot in progress. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Punaiki Ridge

Crossing an eroded section to get to another eroded section.

Punaiki Ridge

Analyn getting lei’d by Dale. Ani and Quan stayed behind to babysit my empty can of Coke while the rest of us resumed our hike.

Trail

Dale pointing out the direction that we needed to go, if some of the group had continued on their direction, another storm would have erupted.

Trail

The location of Sacred Falls was marked by the constant buzzing of tour choppers plying their trade back and forth into the valley. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Pu’u Waiahilaahila

We made it to the 1,246′ summit. All 15 square feet of it. Or something close to that. Photo by Robin Farr.

Pu’u Waiahilaahila

Tweaking it and kissing Santa Claus. What happens on the nipple, stays on the nipple.

Pu’u Waiahilaahila

The Chantilly cake I had carried came out somewhat worse for wear, but it’s the thought that counts. Right? Happy Birthday Analyn! Photo by Petra Raser.

Pu’u Waiahilaahila

Bird’s eye view of the postage stamp sized summit. Anymore and we would have to start kicking people off to make room.

Trail

Dale making his way back to the eroded spot where Ani and Quan were waiting.

Junction

Not everybody was a team player in our group photo.

Junction

Two pink ribbons marked the spot to go down.

Trail

The top slope was steep and overgrown coming down. Photo by Petra Raser.

Trail

The bottom slope was slippery with assorted rocks and low hanging branches. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Trail

Connecting back to the loop trail.

Trail

Aida passing the hiker sign on her way down back to the streambed.

All pau

We survived our 4.86 mile hike through valleys, ridges and summits despite storm outbursts and windy dykes. Group photo by Ani Lagpacan, left to right: Ani, Dale, Cisco, Katie, Quan, Janell, Petra, Margaret, Analyn, Robin, myself, Sally, Aida, Jennifer and Kip. Post hike meal at Papa Ole’s where ordering first doesn’t mean you get your food first.

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.

This weekend was forecasted to be another chilly one with breezy conditions. Perfect weather to hike to the “nipple” peak out in Hauula. Quan agreed to show us most of the way. Key word on most.

Trailhead

Mahalo to Janell for carpooling Cisco, Dale, Quan and myself to the limited parking trailhead. Look closely at Dale’s Solemates cap that he’s holding in his hand. He will soon be donating it to the mountains. Involuntarily.

Pow! Wow!

You don’t have to travel to Kakaako to experience creativity on a wall.

Dry as a bone

Crossing over the assorted rocks.

Switchbacks

Zig zagging our way up the relatively dry trail.

Snoopy rock

I’ll be back. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Bouldering

Walk quickly and don’t look up.

Mickey Mouse

I don’t see the resemblance. Maybe it’s because I’m color blind.

Off-trail

This must be where we go off the beaten path.

Pink ribbons

Hugging the cliff as we followed the pink ribbons scattered like bread crumbs on a trail, until they stopped.

Lost & Found

Let’s see, we are here and should be there. Photo by Janell Tuttle.

Waterfall?

This was not the right waterfall, so we followed the stream bed down hoping to pick up the trail.

Bushwhacking

We decided to go up something that faintly resembled a trail and ended up chewing leaves.

All clear

All smiles as the ten minutes paid off. Photo by Janell Tuttle.

Contour trail

We left the nicely cleared trail in favor of traversing the ridge. We had enough of contouring and bushwhacking for one day.

Punaiki Ridge

Time to do some rock skipping as somebody called it. Photo by Janell Tuttle.

Hauula

Looking back at the rural town of red trees. Must be the color blindness kicking in again.

Bendy

Which way does the wind blow? Take a wild guess. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Punaiki Ridge

Climbing rocks was infinitely preferable than battling the bruising overgrowth. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Punaiki Ridge

Knuckle walking under extremely gusty conditions.

Punaiki Ridge

Did I mention it was windy? Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Boto rock

Quan climbing down the side of boto rock. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Punaiki Ridge

Janell contouring her way around the boulder on a narrow ledge. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Boto rock

Is it a grower or a shower? Photo by Janell Tuttle.

Punaiki Ridge

Dale scrambling up one of many rocks on the ridge line. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Punaiki Ridge

Transitioning from quadrupedal to bipedal locomotion. Winds must be dying down. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Punaiki Ridge

Janell coming up the last rock climb.

Washout

Everybody taking a break from all the overgrowth and windy rock climbing.

Uluhe

Back to our regularly scheduled program of hiking.

The Nipple

We soon reached another junction and saw our destination in sight.

Old Trail

Faded and new ribbons blended together on the trail.

Hoof

I don’t think we want to meet the animal that made these prints. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Dry chute

Looking at what some speculate could be Waimanamana Falls? Photo by Janell Tuttle.

Pu’u Waiahilaahila

Panoramic view of the Hau’ula Forest Reserve. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Pu’u Waiahilaahila

Hmmm, what is that spur ridge behind Cisco? Another hike for another day.

Pinch me

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Pu’u Waiahilaahila

Group photo at the 1,264′ summit, left to right: Janell, Cisco, Quan, Dale and myself. Somebody suggested that we pinch each other. I don’t think that would have gone down well with our spouses. On the other hand, Dale would have been pleased as punch.

Trail

The clouds slowly erased the views, so we took our leave of the summit.

The Nipple

Making our way back from the nipple. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Trail

Enjoying the relatively freshly cut trail. Thanks to whomever cleared a swath through the clingy uluhe ferns.

Junction

We followed the double ribboned branch as we went down the connector trail to get back to the loop trail.

Trail

Quan trying to beat the crap out of her cramps. I heard that works better than mustard.

Trail

It was all downhill from here. Slightly steep, but still downhill.

Trail

Making our way down the trail that was covered in loose and shifting rocks of assorted sizes. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Stream bed

Still looking for that waterfall. We picked up the ribbons and followed the trail out.

Ma’akua Loop Trail

Back on the State trail, where Cisco noticed another possible connector trail. Another hike for another day.

All pau

Finishing our titillating hike for the day. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

GPS Tracks

Our fun and windy hike covered 4.7 miles through ridges, valleys and summits. Shout out to Nandor and friends for reviving this old trail so that others can follow in their footsteps. Post hike meal at Waiahole Poi Factory where an extra side of poi is still not enough. Thanks to Janell for the meal, Quan for the semi-guided hike and everybody else for the good company.

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.

I met up with Gen, Glenn, Jose and Justin to do some exploring on the North Shore. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trailhead

We passed the revolving graffiti wall on our way to the Ma’akua Ridge Trail.

Sunrise

The sun breaking over the town of Hauula.

Bench

Group photo by Justin Hirako, left to right: Jose, Gen, Justin, Glenn and myself.

Papali Ridge

We left the loop trail and headed up the ridge.

Rope Log

There were no rope and no log. What the heck is this thing?

Papali Ridge

The trail started like a typical ridge hike, multiple short ups …

Papali Ridge

… and downs.

Papali Ridge

The trail was surprisingly clear. The uluhell was only ankle high. Ankle biters.

Papali Ridge

Spoke too soon. Glenn wading through waist high uluhell.

Coastal view

Looking back at the coastal communities of Hauula, Laie and Kahuku.

Papali Ridge

Group photo at the Papali junction. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail snacks

Gen munching on uki grass. A good source of dietary fiber.

Papali Ridge

Justin approaching the saddle.

Papali Ridge

Ferns and fungus growing out of a fallen tree.

Mountain of dreams

Dirty yoga. Wrong in so many ways. Photos by Justin Hirako.

Papali Ridge

The ridge became a steady chore going up.

Papali Ridge

Justin and Glenn making their way up.

Ridges and Valleys

We soon noticed a fresh looking cut trail going down into the valley.

Costco Hot Dog

Glenn sucking down the mustard like there’s no tomorrow to combat his cramps.

Trail Junction

A sign pointed to the trail we had just been checking out from the top of the ridge.

Trail

The trail looked like it had been recently cleared. Lucky us.

Bare Tree

A lonely tree shorn of its leaves.

Moss Trees

The trail switch backed through a forest of moss covered trees.

Leap of faith

One had no faith. One went blindly. One went with eyes wide open.

Trail

Gen and Jose checking out the stream below the trail.

Kaluanui Stream

White hibiscus lined the banks of the stream.

Kaluanui Stream

Group photo by Justin Hirako.

Kaluanui Stream

We dumped our packs and decided to do some exploring.

Kaluanui Stream

Glenn rock hopping down the stream.

Kaluanui Stream

What’s around the corner?

Waterfall

Waterfall! Photo by Justin Hirako.

Tours

Helicopters frequently buzzed the valley during our short stay. We waved. They waved back.

Waterfall

Noticed a couple of old rappelling anchors at the top. No ropes. No rappel.

Waterfall

We contoured our way down to the base of the waterfall. Group photo by Justin Hirako. Hey, where did the other two go?

Kaluanui Stream

If only we had more time to explore downstream.

Sunning

We made our way back upstream to find Jose sleeping soundly on a rock. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail

We refilled our camelbacks from the stream and picked up the trail on the opposite side of the banks.

Construction

Stopped to check out the site of a future cabin? Group photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail

Leaving the stream behind us.

Trail

Looking out towards the ocean.

Notch

I can’t go any higher. Something might rip. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Notch

Justin squeezed through horizontally and vertically. Photo by Genesaret Balladares.

Punalu’u Valley

Click here for the larger image.

Trail

The trail was completely overgrown with towering pink fringe flower vines. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail

Going under and around strawberry guava trees. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail

Heading down into Punalu’u Valley. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail

Some overgrown sections were so thick that we had to crawl on our hands and knees.

Trail

Justin used sheer momentum and mass to break through.

Trail

Passing underneath a tangled thicket of tree branches. Luckily we didn’t have to go through them.

Trail

Between a hard rock wall and a drop off. Walk carefully.

Detour

Looked like a section of the original trail got closed down. Possibly due to a landslide?

Detour

Gen going down the detour trail.

Trail

The detour trail soon dropped us back to the switchbacks.

Road

We followed the sign that pointed to a road further down. Talk about taking a spur ridge down instead, dissipated with the fact that darkness would soon cover us and we didn’t know the lay of the land.

Trail

Gen wading through head high uluhell.

Trail

Flower girl.

Trail

Glenn making his way under and over thickets of tree branches. That road can’t come soon enough.

All pau

We made our way down off the ridge, passed through the valley populated with farms and palatial houses until we popped out on the road. Photo by Justin Hirako.

GPS Tracks

Our hiking mileage varied, depending on whose tracking app you asked, 9.85 or 11.01 miles. Either way, it was quite an epic day hiking in the mountains with a fun crew. We even had a “valet” that was watching our truck. Glenn gave him some cash and a job referral for his “troubles.” Post hike meal at Zippy’s.

Waterfall weekend. All weekend long. Met up with Chris B, Dale, Donald and Justin in Hau’ula to explore Kaipapau Gulch.

Trailhead

Safe from the neighborhood dogs. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Nice day

The rain that was pounding the rest of the island still hadn’t caught up with us.

Red dirt

We passed the junction to the bunkers on our way down to the stream.

Kaipapau Stream

Everybody was trying not to get their feet wet on the first crossing. Some were more successful than the others.

Forest crossing

Why did the hikers cross the stream? To get to the other side.

Stream crossing

We were going to crisscross the stream for at least 30 more times until we got to the waterfall. Who’s keeping count? Not me.

Forest crossing

Hiking underneath the tree filtered sunlight.

Stream crossing

The multiple stream crossings were for the most part, marked by faded numbered ribbons, denoting the crossing number.

Counting streams

How many stream crossings have we done so far? Anybody keeping count? Donald? Photo by Justin Hirako.

Stream crossing

Towards the end of the gulch, it became easier to walk in the streambed than crisscrossing from bank to bank. Just stay wet.

Kaipapau Gulch

The canyon walls soon started to rise and close in as we made our way further upstream. Not as claustrophobic as nearby gulches.

Rock falls

The discharge rate increased, a telling sign that we were getting closer to the waterfall.

Almost there

We climbed over the jumbled rocks and boulders that were collected near the base of the falls.

Kaipapau Gulch Falls

The 90′ waterfall. Quite the show.

Kaipapau Gulch Falls

Slippery when wet. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Kaipapau Gulch Falls

Group photo left to right: Chris B, Dale, Justin, Donald and myself. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Stream crossing

It was time to head back as the rain had finally caught up with us. We did not want to be stuck in a gulch under potential flash flood conditions.

Stream wading

Swimming pools of varying depths and sizes dotted the stream.

Got water?

Dale pointing to a dry waterfall chute.

Uphill

We detoured off the stream to check out another waterfall.

Waterfall

A nice horsetail waterfall.

Waterfall

Group photo by Justin Hirako.

Tree fungi

Fungus munching on fallen trees.

Noni

Cheese fruit from the coffee family. A tonic for your hiking ailments.

Stream crossing

Our last stream crossing!

Looking back

Rolling rain clouds had dropped and covered the mountains and trails with rain and water vapor.

Water tank

Passing the water tank on our way out. It was heavily graffitied from taggers.

All pau

All bark and no bite.

GPS Tracks

The gulch waterfall hike covered 8.54 miles round trip. Post hike meal at North Shore Tacos. Known for their fish tacos and lemonade. Only tried the tasty beverage.

I drove all the way out to the country town of Hauula to meet Kelly for a short bunker hike.

Who let the dogs out?

Reports of large and loose vicious dogs running in the neighborhood could not be verified. Thankfully. There are loose dogs, but they paid us no mind.

Water tank

We followed the paved road up to the water tank and picked up the trail on the left.

Which way?

Soon, we noticed pink ribbons to our right which led to the bunkers. I believe if we had continued straight, the trail would wind deep into Kaipapau Gulch.

Steady climb

It was a brief and sharp climb to gain the ridgeline. Short cardio burst.

Tangled thicket

The exposed trail was briefly interrupted by a dense weave of hau branches.

Kaipapau gulch

The gulch is home to an impressive waterfall that only flows after heavy rain. Or so I heard. Another hike for another day.

Looking back

Kelly coming up the trail with a crisp and clear view of the Ko’olau Mountain Range in the background.

Bunker #1

Between a tree and a rusty door. Tetanus shot updated?

Rolling out

Who needs doors? Photo by Kelly Quin.

Two tiered bunker

Kelly standing on top of the two story bunker.

Hello?

No ladder, unlike other bunkers, just a rusty door to get to the bottom bunker.

Rabbit hole

Headed to the second bunker.

Bunker #2

Kelly going into the smaller and second bunker.

Observation

The cast iron pedestals are what’s left of the observation mounted instruments that were used during WW2.

Camouflage

Kelly standing on top of the second bunker, which like the other bunkers are almost completely obscured by the surrounding vegetation.

What’s down there?

We continued down the ridgeline to find…

Bunker #3

…the third bunker. Photo by Kelly Quin.

Laie view

Group photo left to right: myself and Kelly.

Skylight

The last bunker was quite small with no view but a good sized boulder had found its way down the hole, bending the top rung in the process.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Purple orchids

These flowers are quite common on the trails.

All pau

Walking back out to our cars.

GPS Tracks

The bunker hike covered 2.66 miles in under two hours. Post hike meal at North Shore Tacos. Shrimp Tacos and Ginger Lemonade per Kelly’s recommendation. Thumbs up.