Met up with Jasmin, Rebecca and Thessa at the Makapu’u Lookout to start our tidepool hike. We also bumped into the Oahu Hikers Group that was crossing the highway to hike to the Tom-Tom trail. Small island. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Stay in the shade

We scrambled up the rocks to beat the sun breaking over the mountains. It was a hot day with no trade winds.

Charlie’s Angels?

I was the odd man out in the group. Literally.

Leaving the lookout

After making it to the top and passing the string of WW2 bunkers, we made our way down to the lighthouse lookout.

Headed down to the lighthouse

Going down the fun and scenic route. This is not the tourist trail.

Makapu’u Lighthouse

Group photo left to right: Rebecca, myself, Jasmin and Thessa.

A ridge too far

Contemplated going all the way down the crumbly ridge to the ocean, the termination of the Eastern Ko’olaus. Another hike for another day.

Going back up

Going back up to the lighthouse.

Hitchhiker

A gray, mottled and luminous ladybug was found on my shirt.

Makapu’u Lighthouse trail

We followed the white picketed fence out to connect back to the main trail.

Bathroom break

Looks can be deceiving.

Down to the tidepools

We turned down at the whale watching sign to begin our descent towards the rocky ocean coastline.

Dragon’s Nostrils

A much better show than the Halona blowhole, as you get two for the price of one. Just don’t straddle them.

Crashing waves

Don’t get too close or turn your back towards the ocean.

Coastal hiking

After the show was over, we followed the rocky coastline out.

Bird cave

Disturbed two pigeons in the cave. That would explain the heavy abundance of guano on the ground. Treaded carefully.

Looking out

The cave provided a short relief from the blazing sun.

Hug the rocks

The waves were churning and splashing, so most of us decided to stay away from the shoreline as much as possible.

Out of harm’s way

Leaving behind all the folks lazily lounging in the mermaid pools. Tempting. No swim shorts. Time to move on.

Stay dry…

Some of us climbed up that rock.

…or get wet

Jasmin decided to roll up her pants and wade in the tidepool. Anything to get wet.

Go high or low

We came across two locals that had no shade or water. When asked how long more it was to the lighthouse trail, they wisely gave up and turned around.

Honeycombed rocks

Interesting rock formations along the coastline.

Pele’s chair

Last time I was in this area, saw a monk seal sunbathing. No such luck today.

The trail out

Time to head back to our cars and get out of this heat.

GPS Tracks

The short and hot hike covered 3.38 miles on mostly rocky footing. Post hike meal at Teddy’s Burgers. They aren’t that much bigger.

This was my fourth hike with the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club, and my first as a member. Good thing, as this hike was only open to members. We all met at the club’s house in Waimanalo and carpooled to the Makapu’u lookout. We crossed the road and gradually made our way up the rocky slope, basically following the fenceline. If you follow the ridgeline, you can’t go wrong or get lost.

Sea Life Park

We quickly gained elevation at 700+ feet and was looking down at Sea Life Park and the waves crashing down on Makapu’u Beach from a bird’s eye view.

Makapu'u Point

We soon left Makapu’u point and it’s lighthouse in the distance.

Kaulanaaka'iole Puka

At this hilltop of around 900 feet, we came across this puka in the rocks which can be seen from down below. Legend has it that the archer, Pikoiaka’alala, spotted a rat where this puka is and killed it with his arrow. That is why this place is called Kaulanaaka’iole or the “resting place of the rat.”

Hang Glider Launch Pad

After climbing another 1,200+ hill, we descended to a flat area that has some former Kamehameha School buildings and this launch pad that is used by hang gliders and para gliders.

Waimanalo coastline

After passing an abandoned Nike missile site, we regained the ridgeline and descended down the ridge which became somewhat steep for about 100 feet or so, but is quite manageable as there is also a rope to help you out. As I was walking down towards the saddle, I tripped on a root and banged my head on a rock. Luckily, I didn’t fall off the ridge, just lost a little blood.

Makapu'u Ridge

After figuring out that the cut wasn’t that serious, I resumed climbing up the ridge to the clump of Ironwood trees where everyone else was hanging out and eating their lunch.

Lunch Spot

Luckily, there was a kind nurse with a handy first aid kit in the hiking group, who cleaned up my cut. No stitches needed.

Koolau Summit Trail

After resting a bit, we eventually left the nice and cool shady tree covered spot and made our way down towards the Kamiloiki ridge, where it dropped to a saddle and then to the powerlines, in the middle of the photo, which marks the start of the TomTom trail.

TomTom Trail

The TomTom trail was named after Tom McGuire and Tom Cadle that “discovered” this old trail used by Hawaiian runners in the past. The trail descends somewhat steeply towards the town of Waimanalo where we popped out into a neighborhood inhabited by a lot of large and hopefully not loose dogs. We walked the rest of the way back to the clubhouse. The hike took approximately four hours and was moderate in difficulty.

I met up again with the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club at the Makapu’u Point or Ka Iwi State Scenic Shoreline parking lot. The lot fills up real fast, as late comers ended up parking on the outside road. After a quick introduction, we started on the the paved trail that goes up to Makapu’u Point and shortly after the entrance, we struck off onto a dirt trail that lead us to the rocky coast.

Pele's Chair

We stopped at this natural lava rock formation known as Pele’s Chair, for obvious reasons. Legend has it that this was the last place Pele, a Hawaiian goddess of fire, lighting, dance and volcanoes, was on Oahu before she left to find her home on the Big Island. Climbing down towards the coastline, we spotted a monk seal sunbathing on the rocks, perfectly camouflaged unless you looked and squinted real hard.

Tide pools

The Makapu’u coastline is dotted with numerous tide pools teeming with marine life. Expect to get your feet wet. Or you can be like these hikers and contour these rocks to get around the tide pools. Just don’t slip, otherwise you may get more than your feet wet.

Splish Splash

Besides getting wet, we had to watch and time the ocean waves that were crashing onto the shoreline, when crossing parts of the Makapu’u coast. Some of these waves looked like they could wash you out to sea, if you’re not careful.

Cave

We all took a break at this cave and ventured inside to take a look see. One hiker took a photograph with his digital camera and claimed to have captured a spirt or orb. There was also a small opening at the end of the cave that seemd to go somewhere. Nobody volunteered to find out.

The Moon?

After the cave, we made our way down this particularly rocky and hilly part, that if you didn’t watch your step, you could take a tumble.

Dragon's Nostrils

Most of us took our lunch next to these spectacular twin blowholes known as the “Dragon’s Nostrils.” It put on a much better show than the Halona Blowhole.

Uphill

After enjoying our lunch and nature’s show, we hiked up the mountain to the top of Makapu’u Point. I mistakenly contoured more to the right and ended up taking the steeper trail up, while the smarter ones took the less steep trail to the left.

Makapu'u Lighthouse

This is the view from the top of the mountain where you can see the Makapu’u Lighthouse which was first illuminated in 1909 and completely automated in 1974. The lighthouse boasts the largest hyperradiant lens at 12′ high in the country. I heard some hikers have actually made it to the lighthouse, but the trail is blocked by a locked gate. I’m sure where there is a will, there is a way.

Manana Island

We made our way down from the top back towards the parking lot. Here we had a better view of Manana Island or Rabbit Island, which was once home to rabbits, but now is a seabird sanctuary.

Makapu'u Crag

Hiking down, we passed the Makapu’u crag, where folks come to practice rock climbing and rapelling.

Makapu'u Beach

Coming down we had a nice view of Makapu’u Beach and Waimanalo. The entire hike took about four hours and was a nice scenic stroll along the coastline.