We all gathered to help somebody reintegrate into the hiking world due to a tweaked back and did a sandy stroll at the end of the world, or island in this case.

Kaena Point State Park

Shadows in the heat, time to slather on that sun protection.

Kaena Point State Park

It was nice to see Tessa back on the trails after a month long absence.

Kaena Point State Park

Trying to find the right weight, balance and equilibrium so we can play see-saw on the beach.

Kaena Point State Park

Standing on the remnants of the Oahu Railway and Land Company train line that used to transport sugarcane and passengers from Honolulu to the North Shore from 1899 until 1946, when the Aleutian tsunami damaged the tracks beyond financial point of repair.

Kaena Point State Park

Exploring the razor sharp rocks along the coastline.

Kaena Point State Park

Bushwhacking? Are we on the KST?

Kaena Point State Park

Skirting our way around several sea turtle nesting sites. Over 96% of turtles nest amongst the French Frigates Shoals and the rest are scattered through the Hawaiian islands.

Kaena Point State Park

Filtering our way through the gate meant to keep out motorized vehicles.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Entering through the predator proof fenced area that encompasses 59 acres of land that provides a safe haven for endangered species.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Passing the Leina a Ka’uhane rock or leaping place of the souls, where the recently deceased would journey into the afterlife.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Spotting a wedge-tailed shearwater (‘ua’u kani) fledgling in their coastal burrow.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

A Layson albatross juvenile spreading its wings.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

The engineer has determined that the ladder is structurally unsound and would not be prudent to climb any further.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Taking our group photo in the lighthouse that was erected in 1920 and fell to beach erosion in 1990.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

While we were taking our picture, Tessa was wandering the beach and found a Hawaiian monk seal popping out of the surf. This vulnerable species is one of only two mammals endemic to the islands.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Looking across one of the last intact coastal sand dunes in the Hawaiian islands.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

A fisherman about to throw net and try catch something. The individual throw net was introduced to Hawaii by Japanese immigrants in the 1890s and was quickly adopted by locals.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

He might catch a merman swimming around, probably throw him back and wait for one mermaid.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Saw crabs, helmet urchins and opihi on the rocky coastline.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Looking back at the rest of the group.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Jeremy training for the Chimney.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Following the latest beach photography fad.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Squatters.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Jeremy following the roped corridor out of the sanctuary that was established in 1983.

Kaena Point State Park

If you want to know what it means, just read the shirt.

Kaena Point State Park

Chico descending into a tunnel that was bored out by the US military to emplace turret guns for coastal defense.

Kaena Point State Park

I always thought this was part of the OR&L railroad tracks until further research proved me wrong. There is a shrine in the dark tunnel dedicated to Les Merrell who tragically fell off Bear Claw Ridge back in 2012.

Kaena Point State Park

Checking out a possible carrier that was meant to haul the shells on the tracks now covered with rubble from the ceiling of the cave.

Kaena Point State Park

Looking back at the junction where the tunnel connects together to form a loop.

Kaena Point State Park

Shadow vs. silhouette. It’s all about the lighting conditions and the surface or lack of one.

Kaena Point State Park

I was so glad to leave the sauna like conditions behind us.

Kaena Point State Park

Walking outside of the 2,133′ long fence that encloses the recovering sand dune ecosystem that was degraded over the years from off-road vehicles.

All pau

Our last group photo of the day as we concluded the six mile hike to the westernmost tip of the island with new and old friends. Post hike meal at Jerry’s Pizza where ahi katsu was introduced by the 100% disabled veteran.

Photos/Crew taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Chico Cantu, Cristy Meador, Derek Ferguson, Jeremy Cannone, Mari Saito, Marilyn Bermudez, Scott Peterson, 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.

Forecasted heavy rains scuttled my camping plans, so it was off to explore a “trail” that appeared after the heavy rains.

Ka’ena Point State Park

We all met up and parked outside the protected coastline that are home to sand dunes, sea arch and caves, and native plants and wildlife.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Passing several mass wastings that were triggered by the recent rainfalls. A certain inquiring mind wondered if any one of these newly minted stripped paths were stable enough to follow up to the mountain. Only one way to find out.

Ka’ena Point State Park

We picked the “easiest” looking one and started bushwhacking through the chest high overgrowth.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Looking back to discover that we had missed an easier path. Missed it by that much. Oh well.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Kenny climbing up a waterfall? Not again.

Ka’ena Point State Park

It’s staggering to think how much rainfall kinetic energy was released during the Kona lows to trigger the sediment movement that pushed boulders, trees and everything in its path down the side of the mountain.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Following the trickling stream as we steadily climbed up the “trail.”

Ka’ena Point State Park

Tessa standing next to a pretty poor representation of a waterfall. Where are those thunderstorms that were predicted to hit this area? Lie Hagi strikes again. No complaints from the peanut gallery.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Edgar and Aida making their way up the “trail.” Whose ideas was this?

Ka’ena Point State Park

Now would be a good time to go to the bathroom. There may be a slight color variation.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Tessa going up the “stairway” as we steadily advanced up the “trail.”

Ka’ena Point State Park

When good intentions are canceled out by the grinding pressure on ones hand as it’s pressed against unyielding rock.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Glad somebody brought webbing on today’s hike. Thanks Dale.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Well, that rock isn’t going to roll by itself.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Dale and Akira climbing and contouring another trickling stream.

Ka’ena Point State Park

The group inching their way up the steep hill as we passed the start of the landslide.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Looking towards the sprawling 153 acres that is home to the remote tracking station of the US Space Force.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Ani and Aida climbing towards the top as rolling clouds intermittently masked the area.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Kenny and Tessa taking photos of their Japanese imports, Minilla and Monchichi, monster and monkey.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Group photo on a rock perch that wasn’t meant to hold eight people.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Our view of the coastline from our roughly 980′ elevation point.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Car check to make sure the morning chronic wasn’t cruising around again.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Passing through the treeline where we came across a campfire pit in the mountains. Remember … Only YOU can prevent forest fires. Where was Smokey the Bear when you need him?

Ka’ena Point State Park

The original plan was to go down the Manini Pali trail. That was the plan. Plans change.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Approaching another waterfall in the distance.

Ka’ena Point State Park

We’ll be coming ’round the mountain. We’ll be slipping on six big rocks and then some.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Looking for the trail down.

Ka’ena Point State Park

This must be the trail. Manini Pali trail?

Ka’ena Point State Park

Looking at one of the spur ridges dropping away from the mountain as we scrambled our way down.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Is this the way down?

Ka’ena Point State Park

Descending down the trail of least resistance or most resistance?

Ka’ena Point State Park

Akira watching the group climbing down the cliffs.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Dale, Tessa and Edgar climbing down the rocks.

Ka’ena Point State Park

I don’t think this is the Manini Pali Trail.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Dale showing the rest of the group how it’s done.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Cave views.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Aida checking out the footing as she climbs down a hike she later characterized as harder than Witch’s Hat.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Tessa dropping down the roughly 10′ drop. Not much unless you got short legs.

Ka’ena Point State Park

This part is kind of tricky (Japanese accent).

Ka’ena Point State Park

Kenny assisting the rest of the group as we hugged the cliff.

Ka’ena Point State Park

The group soon traded unstable terrain for more unstable terrain.

Ka’ena Point State Park

We are pourin’ like an avalanche comin’ down the mountain. We don’t mind the rain sometimes. Name that paraphrased song from the late 90s.

Ka’ena Point State Park

The group soon met up with the road again.

Ka’ena Point State Park

Dale sitting pretty in a field of sunflowers on our way out and back to our cars.

GPS Tracks

Our rolling stones gathers no moss hike covered 2.34 miles through unstable terrain and cloud soaked mountains with an extra pinch of excitement to keep it just right with good friends.

Waialua

Post hike meal in the former sugar plantation town where we had pizza and some would say one of the better burgers at Jerry’s Pizza Mill. Move over Shige’s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCQR1p4rnD8

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our landslide falls hike.

Photos/Crew taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Ani Lagpacan, Dale Yoshizu, Edgar Gamiao, Kenny Lui, 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.

Met up at the aviation hub that was in danger of being shuttered until the State was granted a 50-year lease last year from the US Army.

Makua Cave

Thanks to Jeremy and Roger who shuttled us from Dillingham Airfield to Kaneana Cave.

Makua Cave

Group photo to kick off our walk.

Farrington Highway

Looking at the cave that wasn’t meant to be explored today due to various reasons.

Farrington Highway

Edgar had the right mode of transportation today.

Farrington Highway

Checking out a drainage pipe. Lucky it wasn’t raining today. We didn’t want to get washed out to sea.

Farrington Highway

Drone time.

Keawa’ula Bay

Entering the Kaena Point State Park. This area is more commonly known as Yokohama Bay, one of the stories of how this place got its name was that Japanese laborers landed on this very beach to build the OR&L train tracks that wrapped around the island in 1897.

US Space Force

Live long and prosper. Despite some trekkers claiming that the logo for the newly minted branch of the US military was a copy of the Star Trek logo, the delta symbol was first used by the US Army Airforce in 1942. So it seems that Star Trek copied the military and not the other way around.

Keawa’ula Bay

Walking on the last sandy stretch of beach on the west side.

Kaena Point State Park

Can you see the heart for the hole in the ground?

Kaena Point State Park

A different view of the “heart” that perhaps was “stolen” in the love triangle legend between Pele, Hi’iaka, and Lohiau.

Kaena Point State Park

Testing out Edgar’s e-bike. Did it spark interest to purchase one? Roger joked I could do the entire KST with such a bicycle. Watt a bright idea!

Kaena Point State Park

Checking out a seal basking on the rocky shoreline.

Kaena Point State Park

That’s not the arch we’re looking for on this trail.

Kaena Point State Park

Somebody was so impatient.

Kaena Point State Park

Group photo at the arch, which is a favorite among rock boulderers.

Kaena Point State Park

Taking the high road as nobody wanted to contour along the rocky shoreline.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Entering through the predator-proof fence that protects 59 acres that are home to seabirds and native plants.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Walking through one of the last intact dune ecosystem in the islands.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Sightings of wedge-tailed shearwater and Laysan albatrosses.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Seeking shade in the concrete pyramidal tower that was erected in 1919 and fell victim to erosion in 1990.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Two questions. Who wrote that message and whom is it for? Anybody sitting in close proximity?

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Walking around the tide pools.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Group photo with the current lighthouse.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Walking the sandy corridor as we made our way out.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

The albatross has one of the largest wingspan of any living bird, reaching a span of close to seven feet. Dwarfed only by the Wandering Albatross, whose wingspan can reach between 8 to 11′.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Passing the Spirit Leap Rock or leina a ka ‘uhane on our way out.

Kaena Point State Park

Edgar waiting for us as we exited the fenced reserve. Perfect timing.

Kaena Point State Park

Walking our way on the rocky and rugged coastline.

Kaena Point State Park

Never turn your back on the ocean. Unless it’s for a photo opportunity.

Kaena Point State Park

One was fishing and one was camping.

Kaena Point State Park

Fish of a scale swim together.

Kaena Point State Park

We think big and we dream big. It’s all a dream. Welcome back to reality.

Kaena Point State Park

Staying our distance as we saw one of 400 monk seals thought to inhabit these islands.

Kaena Point State Park

Yielding to 4×4 trucks making their way on the bumpy road.

Kaena Point State Park

No sign of Hawaii’s native yellow-faced bees, which look more like black wasps than the European honeybees. They are crucial pollinators for the native plants and without them, the ecosystem could collapse.

Kaena Point State Park

Somebody commented that the trail route was “stupid.” To each their own.

Kaena Point State Park

Remnants of the railroad tracks and trestles that used to run from Iwilei to Kahuku. The 1946 tsunami damaged the tracks, although repaired, never recovered due to the growth of automobile traffic which shifted the mode of transportation in the islands.

Kaena Point State Park

There is a distinct difference between an arch and a puka. Case in point.

Kaena Point State Park

Somebody didn’t get the standing memo.

Kaena Point State Park

Trading the sandy road for hard asphalt.

All pau

Walking back to our cars parked at Kawaihapai (Dillingham) Airfield and the end of our blistering walk.

GPS Tracks

Our eighth walk around the island covered 10.9 miles in “the heat” that were tempered with intermittent clouds and breezy winds with good company. Post hike meal at Julie’Z, where somebody was asked if they don’t eat Filipino food, as they brought their own tuna salad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x6_8EIn7TE

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our walk #8.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Alexis Catarina, Edgar Gamiao, Jeremy Cannone, 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.