Rainy weather had scuttled our West side hiking plans, so we found ourselves searching for a waterfall. In Laie. Met up with Dale and Justin by the baseball field. Not a raindrop in the sky. The rest of the island was being saturated and here we were, bone dry. Go figure. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Trailhead

Dale and Justin walking over the bridge to the trail. Hey, we were just here last weekend!

Follow the sign

We passed the Laie trail junction and continued down the jeep road until we saw the sign to Malaekahana Falls. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Muddy road

Time to get our feet wet and muddy. Prepping for that waterfall. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Dry road

The rolling foothills of Laie. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Weeping flower

Morning dew on a red lehua flower. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Uluhell

What would a hike in the mountains be without those pesky and scratchy uluhe ferns? Exactly. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Muddy waters

We soon dropped off the ridge and made our way down to Malaekahana Stream. Photos by Justin Hirako.

Lower Malaekahana Falls

Group photo by Justin Hirako, left to right: Justin, myself and Dale.

Lower Malaekahana Falls

Why did the hikers climb the slippery tree?

Upper Malaekahana Falls

To get to the bigger waterfall. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Upper Malaekahana Falls

Up close and personal with the 80’+ waterfall. Maybe too close. The water was ice cold. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Search & Rescue

As I made my way down to the lower falls, my waterproof camera slipped out of my pocket and bounced down to the pool below. Not clumsy proof. Justin searched. No rescue. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Strawberry guava trees

Making our way back up to Malaekahana Ridge.

Laie

Looking out towards the ancient sanctuary for fugitives. We had our hiking permits from Hawaii Reserves, so we were good.

Fence trail

No sightings of Lani Moo.

Shoe wash

We washed the mud off our shoes and the mob of mosquitoes had a feeding frenzy.

Farm

What kind of plants are those? Justin!

All pau

Where was the rain? Every place but here.

GPS Tracks

Our short and sweet waterfall hike covered 6.98 miles. Post hike meal at Waiahole Poi Factory. No laulau? Wow laulau!