Cobbled together a group of eleven friends to go walking around the island this weekend. Thanks to Ferlino and Roger for the shuttle service.

Waipahu

Group photo left to right: Chico, Mari, Ferlino, myself, Akira, Chris, Dale, Jordan, Aida, Tessa and Roger. Somebody forgot their phone in the truck. It’s an Android. No loss. But we have to deduct 1,000 pics from the photo pool.

West Loch Bike Path

CB jumping off the bridge that did not exist over a year ago when we had to traverse the hanging pipes.

West Loch Bike Path

Spotting an a’eo or Hawaiian black-necked stilt in the Pouhala Marsh Water Bird Sanctuary.

West Loch Bike Path

The group crossing the second bridge over Waipahu Stream in their own different ways.

West Loch Bike Path

Let the shopping cart races begin.

West Loch Bike Path

The jury’s out on who won the Oscar for the best interpretation.

West Loch Bike Path

Ferlino getting a little help from Chico to walk across the handrails on the bridge. If he takes a fall in the drink, he can fish out the dead bloated cat in the stream.

West Loch Bike Path

Chico trying to “pants” Akira. The hijinks that goes on our walks. Never a dull moment.

West Loch Bike Path

Group photo on one of the piers along the stretch of “Chocolate Beach” that was built in the 1960s in tandem with the West Loch community that was being developed.

West Loch Bike Path

Another group photo spaced out on another pier that was actually closed back in 2015 due to concerns of structural safety. They must have obviously addressed those concerns.

West Loch Bike Path

Chico shaking the pod-like fruits from a nearby tamarind tree, that was introduced to Hawaii in 1797 by Don Francisco de Paula Marin. Ferlino picked them up and ate some of them.

West Loch Bike Path

Re-purposing an empty roro dumpster.

West Loch Bike Path

Dale showing that he’s still got it. This guy had several State powerlifting records in the 80s and is still active.

West Loch Bike Path

There must be an easier way of picking mangoes.

West Loch Bike Path

Just need shoyu. Low sodium.

West Loch Bike Path

Ferlino by the shoreline.

West Loch Bike Path

Some in the group took a bathroom break at Kapapapuhi Point Park.

West Loch Bike Path

We will have to take your word for it.

West Loch Golf Course

I thought the other color flag was supposed to be red? Not red, white and blue?

West Loch Bike Path

It’s the message that counts, not the grammar.

West Loch Bike Path

Different perspectives on the bridge that crosses Honouliuli Stream.

West Loch Bike Path

Is that the blue agave plant? If not, then no tequila for you Akira.

Betty Nagamine Bliss Memorial Overlook

Group photo at the lookout that was damaged by arson on August 19, 2024. What’s sad is that the structure was just re-built after being burned down previously in December of 2021.

Betty Nagamine Bliss Memorial Overlook

If one gets tired of watching Hawaiian seabirds and other waterfowl, one can always watch two primates getting back to their roots.

West Loch Bike Path

Checking out an eco-friendly sustainable fence at a nearby home.

West Loch Bike Path

Standing next to a rainbow eucalyptus tree that was introduced in 1929 from the Philippines.

West Loch Bike Path

A shopping cart street vendor offered us free slices of jabong that he had picked up from the ground.

West Loch Bike Path

Calling “American Chopper” for a project that is right up their tail pipe.

Historic Ewa Village

Group photo on the mill wheel that stands at the historic plantation village that was established in 1890 to house the different ethnic groups that labored in the sugar cane fields.

Leeward Bike Path

We had the narrow gauge tracks. We had the train whistle. No train? No problem. All aboard!

Leeward Bike Path

The electrical poles were hanging at a perceived precarious balance. Shades of Lahaina?

Leeward Bike Path

CB multi-tasking as he plucked the moringa leaves from a free range branch as we followed the bike path.

Leeward Bike Path

Let’s not walk on the third rail shall we.

Hawaiian Railway Society

We dropped in on the only operating railroad museum in the State.

Hawaiian Railway Society

The train leaving the station early. I thought it was at 1300 and 1500? It’s only 1110!

Checking out the merci train that was shipped from France after WW2 in appreciation for the 270 boxcars that US citizens sent to help the suffering French, of those, Hawaii sent two filled with sugar.

Hawaiian Railway Society

Hanging out for the next train ride.

Hawaiian Railway Society

Oh Roger!

Hawaiian Railway Society

Leaving the train depot as the afternoon sun forced our departure.

Leeward Bike Path

Using the parasol that was most likely invented in China over 4,000 years ago.

Leeward Bike Path

Our group waving at the passing train, possibly a tradition started in the 1840s in the United Kingdom.

Leeward Bike Path

CB finally found a car with great mileage. Zero.

Leeward Bike Path

The tracks were cleared, so the “people train” complete with whistles and the pumping motion of our arms and legs took to the tracks.

Leeward Bike Path

Walking on an abandoned military rail car. The US Navy ran this section of the tracks to run their ammunition trains from West Loch to Lualualei Naval Ammunition Depot from 1950 to 1970.

Leeward Bike Path

Afternoon tea and crumpets, the homeless way.

All pau

Practicing proper hygiene after the finish of our walk.

GPS Tracks

Our fifth perimeter walk covered 8.55 miles with free range food and fun activities with good friends.

Ono Steak & Shrimp

Our post hike meal was at a place that didn’t serve mac salad. Sacrilegious!

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Chico Cantu, Chris Bautista, Dale Yoshizu, Ferlino Carinio, Jordan Baird, Mari Saito, 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.