The hidden giants in Manoa failed to wake up; so Analyn, Bill, Cisco, Ferlino, Shirley and myself tagged along with Allison’s group that were meeting at Moanalua Valley to explore the falls in the back of the geological depression. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Moanalua Valley Park

A less than auspicious start to our hike as we were greeted by the land and air units of the Honolulu Fire Department. Training or rescue underway? We didn’t stick around to find out.

Trailhead

When the fashionably late arrival of Patrick Rorie failed to materialize, we shoved off on the trail.

Kamananui Valley Trail

Hey, who’s that wahine with Bill?

Brachiaria mutica

It’s not very comfortable pushing your way through grass that has more hair than you.

Moanalua Valley

Rock hopping in the back of the valley.

Moanalua Valley

We re-grouped for our group photo, left to right: myself, Bill, Analyn, Shirley, Erik, Ferlino, Cisco and Allison. Photo by Moorea Efird.

That way?

After hiking in circles and not being guided by the presence of Patrick Rorie, we threw in the towel and headed back to a more recognizable trail. Photo by Moorea Efird.

Moanalua Valley

Following the rainbow (man) out of the valley.

Lychee

Synchronized eating as we waited for the rest of the group to catch up.

Moanalua Valley

Flagged guava trees provided a marked contrast to our earlier lack of trail.

Moanalua Valley

Plane wreckage parts littered the landscape which provided photo opportunities for Allison and Laredo. Photo by Moorea Efird.

Moanalua Falls

We soon spotted the ephemeral waterfall.

Moanalua Falls

Erik making his way to the base of the pool with the valley backdrop behind him.

Moanalua Falls

Ferlino swinging in his hammock.

Moanalua Falls

Taking the plunge for the group photo, left to right: Ferlino, Cisco, Moorea, Allison, Erik, Analyn, myself and Laredo.

Scent of a woman

Somebody came pretty close to switching teams.

Moanalua Falls

Leaving the trickling waterfall.

Moanalua Valley

Weaving our way through the dense thicket of hau branches.

Moanalua Valley

Crossing one of over two dozen stream crossings. Who’s counting. Photo by Moorea Efird.

All pau

We ended our 11.13 mile valley hike back in the park where the group had split and gone its separate ways. Thanks again to Allison for letting us join her group. Post hike meal at McDonald’s. I’m wasn’t really lovin’ it.

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.