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.