We gathered to hike to a place known to locals as Kalihi Ice Ponds or Tin Roof, but historically referred to as Moaniani or Hoaniani Falls.

Cantu Hale

Some people stretch before a hike, others hydrate and one particular individual had his eyebrows trimmed. Grooming matters. One has to look good and be able to see unobstructed on a hike.

Kalihi Valley

Thanks to Akira and Lilia for shuttling us to the trailhead. Private and public school math converged and came out to a group total of 16 peeps. Leave no hiker behind.

Kalihi Valley

Chris and Dave got in some warm up exercise before our strenuous hike.

Kalihi Valley

Dropping off the service road and into the storm drainage canals.

Kalihi Valley

Scrambling over the forest detritus scattered on the hill.

Kalihi Valley

Prepare to get wet. Looking down at the concrete canal that was filled with over a foot of water. If the weather was pouring rain instead of sunshine, we might have paused as concrete doesn’t slow down or absorb water like a mud or rock canal, and the canal could rise to threatening conditions in the blink of an eye. Happy Birthday.

Kalihi Valley

Scrambling and climbing our way down the embankment.

Kalihi Valley

The group waiting for the others to join us in getting our feet wet.

Kalihi Valley

All wet and accounted for, luckily it was just a hop, skip, and a jump to the tunnels.

Kalihi Valley

Seeking the path of least resistance.

Kalihi Valley

Walking through the rock strewn and graffiti covered tunnel.

Kalihi Stream

If a tree falls in a stream, take a group photo on the fallen perennial plant.

Kalihi Stream

Making our way through one of multiple blowdowns that littered the stream.

Kalihi Stream

Chris proving that hubcaps can also double as a man-made waterfall for Allison.

Kalihi Stream

Merrill holding his pet or lunch. These red swamp crayfish were introduced to the islands in 1923 into taro patches near Ahuimanu Stream. They are considered an invasive pest and are known to burrow into their surrounding grounds resulting in drainage of taro fields, snack on insects, snails and taro plants. These critters best belong in a gumbo pot. Where is Akira when you need him?

Kalihi Stream

Chris stayed in the shallow end and took our photo sitting on the vintage service road that time forgot.

Kalihi Stream

When IG expectations meet the cold breath of reality. Happy Birthday Chico and enjoy your cornstarch dusted cupcake.

Kalihi Stream

The fallen tree made the perfect backdrop for the Dancing Queens.

Kalihi Stream

The group alternating between walking on the banks and wading in the stream.

Kalihi Stream

Video! I think the novelty is wearing off, especially those within earshot.

Kalihi Stream

Halfway there! Is that the same as only 15 more minutes?

Kalihi Stream

Dangling from an apparent “treehouse” suspended above the stream with wire rope and steel beams. Unable to date it, but I have seen pictures of it with wood planks and Christmas lights. I would like to shake the hands of the people that hauled the materials down to the stream and built it hanging from a sturdy tree branch. Major props.

Kalihi Stream

Touching the block was my end goal, or more accurately somebody else’s end goal.

Kalihi Stream

Calling the Spartan Girls to join me up here. Hello?

Kalihi Stream

The birthday boy did it better, standing up. Chico, King of the Mountain.

Kalihi Stream

Group photo perspective of a round peg in a square hole.

Kalihi Stream

Chris with his boogie board, ready to ride the stream down. Or perhaps not.

Kalihi Stream

Only one pair in this set of photos could do what comes after sitting in a tree.

Kalihi Stream

Following the stream down.

Kalihi Stream

Double dunking in the waters.

Kalihi Stream

This is not your Sandy Beach.

Kalihi Stream

Looking for a needle in a deep and murky pool. Chico donated his prescription sunglasses that accidentally fell into the water to the aina.

Kalihi Stream

Threading our way through a massive blowdown blocking our forward progress.

Hoaniani Falls

Some in the group climbed down the dry way on the upper tier as we crossed paths with another group exploring upstream.

Hoaniani Falls

The rest of us took the wet way down.

Hoaniani Falls

Somebody only had one job on this hike and they let it float away.

Hoaniani Falls

Anne-Marie and Jenn crossing the middle tier of the falls.

Hoaniani Falls

Father and son enjoying the middle tier pool.

Hoaniani Falls

Somebody accused me of stealing their thunder by falling in the pool. It was not intentional. I do not particularly like waterfalls.

Hoaniani Falls

The rest of the group climbing their way down to the base.

Hoaniani Falls

Our last group photo of the day before we headed up the hill and called it a day.

All pau

My lack of balance resulted in an awkward spill on the side of the highway. Thanks to Akira, Dale and Lilia for picking us up and shuttling us back to the house. Our fun filled and waterlogged hike covered 1.12 miles with good friends.

Cantu Hale

Somebody wanted to try out my meta glasses. Video! It’s not your birthday Matt. Go get your own glasses. Aida, Dale, Kim, Matt, Roseann and KYC friends joined us at the house for the ono potluck.

Cantu Hale

The potluck spread of banana cream pie, chili, chocolate cupcakes, corky’s bbq pork, dim sum, enchiladas, pansit, pasta salad, pinakbet, salt vinegar chicken, sourdough bread, oxtail soup and many others that filled our tummies and our takeout containers. Kanak attack. Don’t let Matt the sleep stalker catch you.

Cantu Hale

No, the leaves are not edible.

Cantu Hale

We all wished Chico happy birthday. That joint candle is not real either btw. He is living proof that age is just a number. Many happy returns of the day from your friends and family.

Cantu Hale

Most of us retired upstairs to play LCR game and Dale hauled in the biggest pot to date. $78. Somebody could have used that money for their tow truck funds. Mahalo to everybody that came and participated in some form or fashion to celebrate Chico’s birthday. Thanks especially to Lilia for being the gracious host.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcyeUs3vTWw

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our birthday hike.

Photos/Crew taken by Aileen Agustin, Allison Banks, Anne-Marie Caravalho, Chico Cantu, Chris Bautista, Cristy CM, David and Susan Katz, Edgar Gamiao, Jenny Leigh, Kenny Lui, Mari Saito, Marilyn Bermudez, Merrill Kalopodes, 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.

I had always wanted to visit this popular watering hole, so to speak, tucked in the back of Kalihi Valley. Jasmin and Matt were my guides for today.

No Trespassing?

After crossing the wooden bridge at the end of Kalihi Street, we came across this “friendly” sign put up by Solomon Enos who took down the “No Trespassing” signs. His reasoning was that the land was “sentient” or alive and we need to treat and care for it as a family member.

Kapu

I guess other people don’t share his feelings.

Sagging lines

Walking down the road, we saw signs of fresh tree cuttings. Helps to prevent power outages.

Grafitti or art?

Call Bart! We found his Dad!

Water down the road

The road is susceptible to flash flooding as runoffs will easily cutoff the road and have stranded hikers in the past.

Same question

Some of the graffiti could be interpreted as being art, in my amateur eyes.

All downhill

We soon left the road to descend down this mosquito infested hill.

Kalihi Ice Ponds

Amazingly, we had the place all to ourselves. I heard it’s usually packed with folks enjoying themselves in the ice cold water. Hence, the falls are also known as Kalihi Ice Ponds. There is a Leptospirosis warning sign tacked onto the tree right before the climb down, the disease can be transmitted through cuts and orifices such as the mouth, eyes and nose. It can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated in time.

Climbing the first fall

Matt and I decided to climb up the falls to see how far she went.

Mosquitoes galore

Stagnant water = Lots of mosquitoes. Bring bug spray.

Second waterfall

The falls were flowing at a decent rate, manageable enough to climb up and down safely. However, if the falls were raging and there was pouring rain, out of the question. 

Third waterfall

We topped out at the third waterfall and saw the stream meandered further into the valley, so we turned around. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Need a ride?

Sorry Jasmin, no backseat. Looks like you’ll have to walk back down to the car while we roll in our tricked out convertible. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Nu’uanu Pali Lookout

Jasmin had Pali Puka on her bucket list of hikes, so off we went to the Pali Lookout. This rooster stopped in front of me after being chased by tourists.

Pali Notches and Olomana

The hike up to Pali Puka is short and sweet, punctuated by edgy and steep climbing. Watch out for the bees! Lucky for us, they were out pollinating flowers or making honey.

Kaneohe view

Windward and town views waited for us at the Puka.

The other side of the puka

Matt climbed on top of the Puka and stuck out my GoPro to capture this view. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kailua view

 Hike all pau. What’s for lunch?