We all met up at the Kualoa Beach Park to start our perimeter walk this morning.

Kualoa Beach Park

A certain furry four legged hiker joined the group of Aida, Akira, Alexis, Chico, Cristy, Mari, Tessa and myself on the sprawling 153 acres.

Kualoa Beach Park

Big shadows and small shadow.

Kualoa Beach Park

Going over the wall. Legally.

Kualoa Beach Park

Walking on the beach with the islet of Mokoli’i in the background. The island used to be part of Kualoa Ranch as it was purchased in 1850 from King Kamehameha III for $1,300.00 ($53,996.00 today). It was purchased by the City in the 1970s.

Kualoa Beach Park

Stumping for Groot. Represent.

Secret Island

Arriving at the NOT secret and NOT island. It’s just a beach with certain amenities that you can only use if you’re part of a tour package.

Secret Island

Group photo at one of the docks with Kualoa Mountain in the background.

Secret Island

Walking over to the next dock.

Secret Island

Disappointed the sign doesn’t say “Secret Island.” Marketing 101.

Secret Island

Brah, you get license to drive boat? Nevamine!

Secret Island

Survey says … WOOF!

Kualoa Beach Park

On our return trip back, we were approached by these two braddahs who asked who owns the Black Honda? One guess and one guess only. Thanks to Charlie and Elijah for their aloha!

Kualoa Beach Park

Talking story with Elijah, turns out his dream is to hike from Pupukea to Waiahole.

Kualoa Beach Park

Seeing is believing. I have been saying for years that chickens live and sleep in trees. Nobody believed me until today.

Kamehameha Highway

Groot piggybacking on Chico.

Kamehameha Highway

Some of us wanted free coffee, so we had to recall Alexis who had zoned in on her music and was far ahead of the group.

The Macadamia Nut Outlet

Group photo with the obliging statues.

The Macadamia Nut Outlet

Sampling the free coffee and macadamia nuts.

Kamehameha Highway

Back on the road. And he’s got a dog too. Double threat.

Coral Kingdom

Stopping at the tourist trap, I mean spot on the way. The huli-huli chicken sure smelled good.

Coral Kingdom

You need smoke in order to follow it.

Coral Kingdom

Browsing and puffing and drinking.

Kamehameha Highway

It sure is hot today.

Waikane

We turned off the highway to do a short and easy hike. Those words will come back to haunt me. Saw a hapai (pregnant) pig with her own guard dog. Nobody is messing with this pua’a (pig).

Waikane

The group going up the trail. Somebody was saying we don’t have hiking shoes, only walking shoes. Hiking is a form of walking.

Waikane

Chico helping Mari across a slippery section. Who said this hike is easy?

Waikane

Moli’i Fishpond in the background, which is one of only four original Hawaiian fishponds on the island.

Waikane

Scrambling up the Southeast Ridge of Pu’u Ohulehule, most hikers know it as Pride Rock as an obvious reference to the Disney movie, “The Lion King.”

Waikane

Aida on her approach to the top, walking shoes and all.

Waikane

The “classic” Pride Rock photograph.

Waikane

The “new” Tree Monkey photograph.

Waikane

The group relaxing and being chilled by the refreshing trade winds.

Waikane

Overlooking Kualoa Ranch and its domain.

Waikane

Can you spot Akira below the rock shelf?

Waikane

Time to head back down.

Waikane

Where’s my hiking stick?

Waikane

Two ropes are better than one.

Waikane

Where’s that second rope when you need it?

Waikane

Group photo with the Hawaiian flag that was adopted in 1845 and now represents the 50th state in the Union.

Waikane

Sliding our way down to the exit.

Kamehameha Highway

Sign me up.

Kamehameha Highway

Groot channeling his inner Musk.

Kamehameha Highway

The girls checking out the roadside refreshment stand. Tourist prices.

Kamehameha Highway

Fail. Go back to rapelling.

Kamehameha Highway

$10 Coconut. Cristy was thirsty.

Kamehameha Highway

Everybody needs shade from the hot sun. Where is that portable AC?

Kamehameha Highway

There’s gold in them thar tilipia filled waters.

Kamehameha Highway

Chico went to get shave ice. The rest of us went to get lunch. Hangry.

Waiahole Poi Factory

Lunch at the establishment that started as a poi factory in 1905 and then became the current restaurant in 2009.

All pau

Taking the air-conditioned bus back to our cars at Kualoa Ranch.

GPS Tracks

Our #13 perimeter walk covered 7.5 miles that also included two short hike detours that everybody did even with walking shoes. Awesome day with fun friends.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Alexis Catarina, Chico Cantu, Cristy CM, Mari Saito, 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.

Google Maps said our perimeter hike today should only register around seven miles. Not only humans make mistakes.

Kualoa Beach Park

We all met up at the park steeped in history as it was associated with Hawaiian royalty, refuge and spiritual significance.

Hau’ula

That was a long bus ride! You sure this is only seven miles?

Hau’ula

Some suspicious minded individuals had to conduct their own independent confirmations. Shouts of 9 and 10 miles rang out. Are we not hikers?

Kamehameha Highway

The place to get a real kanak attack. Too early in the day.

Kamehameha Highway

Navigating the Kaipapa’u Stream Bridge Replacement construction barricades and detours.

Kapalaoa Beach

Scott the swinger. That doesn’t look too hard.

Kapalaoa Beach

Train wreck in progress. Woman down! Don’t worry, I do this for a living.

Kamehameha Highway

On the Windward side, the shoulder is your sidewalk.

Hau’ula Beach Park

Bathroom break.

Kamehameha Highway

Looking for souvenirs. Look harder.

Kamehameha Highway

Crossing over Maakua Stream.

Kamehameha Highway

The only ones straddling this now stripped coconut tree are these thin shelled a’ama crabs.

Kamehameha Highway

Passing this honey stand, as this was the closest we were getting to the state park that harbors Kaliuwa’a, where a rockslide on May 9, 1999 killed eight people and injured many others. It has been closed to the public ever since that tragic day.

Hale Aha Beach

Monkey see, monkey do.

Kamehameha Highway

Splash of color on the road.

St. Joachim Catholic Church

Passing this simple clapboard church dedicated in 1919.

Kaya’s Store

Supporting local. This store has been around since 1946, where it started as a butcher shop and evolved into today’s convenience store.

Ching’s Punaluu Store

This local store has been in business even longer, since 1935.

Kamehameha Highway

Looking out towards Kahana Bay.

Kamehameha Highway

Skipped the shrimp and went straight to swinging.

Punalu’u Beach Park

Better than the bushes.

Kamehameha Highway

Even the ocean needs shade.

Kamehameha Highway

Makeshift marina.

Kamehameha Highway

The breath of life.

Kamehameha Highway

Paddlers in Kawa Stream.

Kamehameha Highway

Walking on the road that is constantly being eroded by the ocean and passing the reopened Crouching Lion Restaurant. Lunch?

Kamehameha Highway

“No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings.” – William Blake.

Kamehameha Highway

Snack stop at the 7-11 right across Swanzy Beach Park. Walking is hard work.

Kamehameha Highway

The popular slogan plastered all over the areas not yet touched by commercial and large scale residential development originated in the late 1960s on the North Shore side of the island.

Kamehameha Highway

Walking on the road against the backdrop of wind rippled waves.

Kualoa Sugar Mill

Standing against the ruins of the first steam-powered mill on the island that was built in 1863.

Kualoa Ranch

I guess this is the closest we are getting to Maui’s fish hook.

Kualoa Beach Park

Carrying a stick with two flags all day is hard work.

Kualoa Beach Park

Our last group photo of the day with Mokoli’i in the background. Hawaiian legend has it that the basalt islet is the tip of the tail of a giant lizard that was killed and thrown in the bay by Hi’iaka, the younger sister of Pele.

GPS Tracks

Our #12 perimeter walk covered 10.7 miles on the Windward coastline with fun company. Post hike meal at Pieology as the food court was all filled up.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Allison Banks, Cristy CM, Kenny Lui, Mari Saito, Marilyn Bermudez, Scott Dea, 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.

Our perimeter walks seemed to be getting shorter in mileage as the heat increases. Inverse relationship in action.

Kualoa Beach Park

Bus fare or Holo card in hand, we boarded the bus that would take us to our starting point.

Kamehameha Highway

How many miles will we cover today?

Kamehameha Highway

Passing some of the 568′ tall wind turbines that make up the Kahuku Wind Farm. These giant pinwheels were shipped to Hawaii in 2019 and were met and blockaded by protesters at the port and at the site, police eventually arrested the lot of them so that the installation could be completed. These spinning behemoths have been shown to result in health problems for the residents that live under its shadow. A decision by the Honolulu City Council in 2024 to not allow height repairs and changing the land set back rules will probably result in the windmills coming down between 2031 to 2040 when their power contracts expire. A small victory and relief for the community of Kahuku. This all came about due to the Clean Energy Law that was passed in 2015 that mandates that Hawaii be 100% clean energy by 2045. The State in its infinite wisdom shut down the last coal fired power plant in 2022 to force HECO to comply with the 2045 deadline before ensuring that the raft of wind and solar power can adequately meet the island’s energy needs. Hawaii wanted to be the first in the nation to be 100% fossil fuel free, what a joke. Hawaii can’t even maintain a decent road infrastructure and rein in the cost of living for its residents. Another burden that the incompetent politicians have left as a legacy to its residents.

Kamehameha Highway

We decided to stop at this nearby collection of establishments that were still closed for business. Too early. Come back later.

Kamehameha Highway

Checking out the intricately carved wood sculptures and Tanaka Shrimp which is the successor to Fumi’s that shuttered awhile back.

James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge

Passing the wetland sanctuary established in 1976, that are home to many native and endemic Hawaiian species.

Kamehameha Highway

Waving the flag of the largest country in South America.

Kamehameha Highway

Vinyl and wood co-existing peacefully.

Kamehameha Highway

Group photo in front of a wooden reminder of the trains that used to run in this area. Kahuku Plantation retired its railroad in 1954 in favor of trucks.

Kahuku Sugar Mill

Standing on the remnants of the mill that shut down in 1971 due to Hawaii being unable to compete on the world sugar stage.

Kahuku Sugar Mill

Drone view.

Kahuku Sugar Mill

Is that a gecko or an anole (iguana)?

Kahuku Sugar Mill

Took a photo with the pidgin speaking mongoose.

Kahuku Sugar Mill

Butterfly wings courtesy of the food truck.

Kahuku Superette

Dropping in at the general store that has been around in its present form since 1992 and is credited with popularizing the poke bowl.

Kahuku Superette

We tried the tako poke, ahi poke and the spicy poke. Tako poke was hands down the winner.

Kamehameha Highway

Here comes the rain.

Kamehameha Highway

Cristy picking the milky carissa berries.

Gunstock Ranch

Feeding and petting the horses. Weeds work best, not carrots.

Gunstock Ranch

Wanna hear a horse talk? Anybody got peanut butter?

Kamehameha Highway

Most of the businesses in this Mormon town are closed to observe Sabbath day as one of rest and worship. But I guess even Mormons need gas on Sundays.

Kamehameha Highway

Passing the private college owned and operated by the LDS Church. The nearby Polynesian Culture Center is also owned and operated by the LDS church and serves to preserve the Pacific cultures, teach LDS missionaries the Pacific language and cultures of the island they will work in and provide jobs for the students.

Kamehameha Highway

Can you see me now Hawaiian eyes?

Kamehameha Highway

Sea grapes which are sweet and tart fruits, were introduced to Hawaii as a seashore windbreak.

Kamehameha Highway

You have to watch them bloom at night under a full moon.

Kamehameha Highway

Ancient swings were made of wooden planks and rope hung from tree limbs. If ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Kamehameha Highway

Here comes the rain. Again.

Hau’ula

We stopped to have some food at a local favorite located in a strip mall, Papa Ole’s. However, most of the food was sold out and the wait was at least 35 minutes. So most of us jumped ship and had ice cream at the nearby Baskin-Robbins. 31 flavors. Not quite.

All pau

Boarded the bus back to our cars. Riding in air conditioned comfort.

GPS Tracks

Our abbreviated perimeter walk #11 covered a rather paltry 7.66 miles with good company. We still got more than the recommended 10,000 steps a day for health benefits.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Cristy CM, Dale Yoshizu, Kenny Lui, Mari Saito, Roger Schiffman, 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.