Instead of carving pumpkins or going trick or treating, we hiked the Kuli’ou’ou Ridge Trail and Pu’u o Kona on Halloween Day. We were hoping to be treated to stunning views and not tricked into getting lost! After parking at the end of Kala’au Place in Kuli’ou’ou, we started off by signing our names in the log that kept’s in the hunter’s mailbox at the beginning of the hike.

Trail Marker

The beginining of the trail consists of a lot of switchbacks as you start climbing the ridge. Early on in the hike, we came across this trail marker which clearly points to the right going up the ridge. If you miss the marker and proceed straight ahead, you will walk into Kuli’ou’ou Valley instead of Kuli’ou’ou Ridge.

Tree Formation

About half-way to the top, we ran across this bunch of tangled trees that almost looks like a doorway. That’s another great benefit to hiking, you always run across something you don’t see everyday or that’s eye catching.

Hawaii Kai

Looking back at Koko Crater, Kuapa Pond, and Koko Head. Kuapa Pond was at one time the largest fish pond on Oahu, until urban development shrank the pond to what you see now. Almost to the top!

Stairs to the top

More stairs to climb, similiar to the ones found on the Hawaii Loa Ridge hike. Keep in mind that these are not regular stairs, but plastic slats built into the side of the mountain, so expect erosion at certain spots, sometimes it was like walking over minature hurdles.

Top of the summit

Getting to the top of the summit at 2,080 feet. It took us little over an hour to make it to this point. Those stairs at the end gave us a good cardio workout.

Looking towards Manana Island

After catching our breath and taking a short break, we decided to go past the end of trail sign that tells you to turn back. If you continue past the sign to the left, it will take you to Pu’u o Kona and eventually loop around Kuli’ou’ou valley.

Looking back towards the summit

As we pressed on, the trail became more noticeably eroded and drop-offs on the sides became more pronounced. Looking back, we saw the clouds rolling in and hoped Mother Nature wouldn’t shower us with her tears.

Clouds rolling in

The cool part I love about ridge hikes, is the fantastic views afforded to you. Another thing, is you can be walking in dazzling sunshine, and the next minute, you are enveloped in cool clouds.

Kuli'ou'ou Valley

Looking back towards Kuli’ou’ou Valley, as I mentioned before, the views are just fantastic on these ridge hikes.

Landslide

We came across this old landslide that took part of the trail down the mountain. I wonder in time, if another landslide, will eventually make this trail unpassable.

Going up

I have got to thank whomever installed these ropes, shaky as they may be at some points, on these hikes. Otherwise, it would make these hikes that much harder, as even with the ropes, sometimes we were scrambling for any solidly rooted plants for support to help pull us up.

Pu'u o Kona

It took almost us another hour to reach the summit of Pu’u o Kona at an elevation of 2,200 feet. You can see Diamond Head and Waikiki in the background.

The trail home

Heading back down towards the valley, our knees started to get a tad wobbly. Maybe that’s where the Hawaiian meaning for Kuli’ou’ou came from, “Sound of the Knee.” The way going down was more difficult than coming up the other way due to more narrow ridgelines and steep descents. It took us another 90 minutes or so to finally get back down to our cars. This hike is difficult as there are steep ascents/descents and narrow ridgelines that must be carefully climbed and hiked. If you just hike to the top of Kuli’ou’ou and return back, then the hike would be easier. Keep in mind that these are just my opinions, other hikers may find it duck soup or hard as heck. It all depends on the individual.

Hawaii Loa Ridge is a sleeper of a hike, located in the uber-rich gated community of Hawaii Loa in Hawaii Kai. Much like public beaches, gated communities have to offer public access to public hikes. The guard will let you in after 7am, where you must present local or military ID and sign a liability waiver. I also found out that not more than 10 cars are allowed in at one time. After checking in, I drove up to Paka Nahele park at the end of Puuikena Drive and started my hike.

Heading into the forest

The first part of the trail was hot, sandy and rocky. Heading into this stand of ironwood pine trees, the wind was making this weird whistling sound that would go over great on moonless nights and a couple too many drinks.

One of many hills

The trail follows a couple hills as they go up and down, leading to a rollercoaster effect, all depends on how fast you are hiking! Keep your hands in the car at all times.

Guava trees

As I started walking into this strawberry guava tree “tunnel”, the wind picked up and started that eerie sound that I thought I left behind in the ironwood pine tree stands. Glad I wasn’t doing this hike at night!

View of Diamond Head

Approaching the summit, the trail started to get steeper with dirt steps reinforced with plastic slats, punctuated by a couple spots with ropes to help you get to the top.

View of Olomana

It took me roughly 90 minutes to make it to the summit at an elevation of 2,520 feet. The easy part of this hike is that you are not starting from sea level, I believe the elevation at the trailhead is roughly 500 feet.

Town of Waimanalo

The town of Waimanalo, along with the Mokulua Islands off shore. I was very lucky today as when I was approaching the summit, it looked like the clouds were rolling in. But when I reached the summit, clear blue skies and fantastic views welcomed me.

Pu’u o Kona

The summit of Pu’u o Kona which can be reached through the Kuli’ou’ou Trail, which is the ridge next over. There used to be a sign that announced the end of the trail, apparently somebody took it home for a souveneir.

Koko Crater and Koko Head

Going back down the trail which took about 90 minutes, you can see Koko Crater and Koko Head to your left.

Ridgelines

So many ridges to hike on! The middle one is the Hawaii Loa Ridge trail and the way back to the trailhead. This hike is relatively easy, as there are only some spots where you go up and down, and finished with a brisk walk up hill to the summit. Also, don’t let the gated part put you off from doing this enjoyable hike, think of it as your own semi-private trail!

GPS Tracks

The 4.3 mile hike rewards one with uber-views with little effort.