Met up with Aida, Akira, Chico, Mari, Susan, and Tessa under the shadow of the Maili Pillboxes to get our morning constitutional.

Kaukama Road

The cap heads are in the majority for our group photo.

Farrington Highway

Akira explaining the size of the nigiri sushi he had for dinner last night.

Farrington Highway

The scarecrow has taken up residence in the house.

Farrington Highway

Walking through the pebbly town that has the highest percentage of kanaka maoli or native Hawaiians on the island.

Farrington Highway

I didn’t know Groot was for sale.

Farrington Highway

CB soon caught up with us after parking at his brother’s place and test drove his 2D muscle car. If it only had one more dimensional layer.

Farrington Highway

Chico volunteering to be the human water gauge on the non-existent ledge that was also 2D as well.

Farrington Highway

No shopping cart rides today. The plight of the homeless on this side of the island is especially glaring. Not getting into politics and policy, but the fact that the majority of the homeless are Hawaiians is a pretty sad commentary on the state of affairs. If they want to get the ball rolling, they should camp at the State Capitol and all the key political leaders place of residence. That would get national news and force the levers of political power to start moving and actually do something that benefits not just the kanaka maoli but all the local residents that call this place home. Just my two cents.

Farrington Highway

Let sleeping dogs lie.

Farrington Highway

This particular canine did not want to sleep or lie.

Lualualei Beach Park

Looking for seashells or at least fragments of them.

Burger King

Nobody said “You Rule” or offered a cardboard crown. Ask and you shall receive.

FHB

Say Yes. Yes I can climb on the sign. Yessah.

Farrington Highway

Artwork or graffiti seen on the streets.

Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

Taking a photo with the 200 pound bronze bust of Braddah IZ, one of Hawaii’s most influential and successful singers.

Farrington Highway

Chico failed to get a HFD T-Shirt so he ran across the highway to join back with the group as the flags flew at half mast to honor former Representative Gene Ward who passed on April 4, 2025.

Farrington Highway

I guess this particular bus shelter avoided compliance with the sit-lie ban. No complaints from Chico.

Farrington Highway

Cotton is the new Rogaine.

Farrington Highway

Hey, those are my exact size!

Farrington Highway

The pilot showing how the helicopter chair is executed. Something may have been lost in translation.

Farrington Highway

The Flying Filipino not to be confused with Shane Victorino.

7-11

Stopping at the last outpost of snacks and refreshments before resuming our walk.

Mauna Lahilahi

We decided to do a detour and climb the world’s smallest mountain. But first somebody took their medication for clarification of their mind.

Mauna Lahilahi

It was Chico’s first and Mari’s second attempt at climbing this relatively diminutive peak.

Mauna Lahilahi

Akira guiding the girls up a relatively less steep section of the trail.

Mauna Lahilahi

This angle illustrates why it’s also called thin mountain in English.

Mauna Lahilahi

One step at a time takes one closer to the top.

Mauna Lahilahi

Leaving all the relatively steep climbing behind us as we plateaued near the summit.

Mauna Lahilahi

Aida overlooking Papaoneone Beach and its aging condos.

Mauna Lahilahi

We all made it to the 230′ summit with its panoramic views of the coastline and mountains.

Mauna Lahilahi

Leaving the summit behind along with Chico’s ex-sixth wife as we scrambled our way back down.

Mauna Lahilahi

We soon dropped back down to the base along with the volunteers who were hauling out all the rubbish that somehow finds its way here.

Farrington Highway

Just one question. Is this a silent or loud alarm?

Farrington Highway

Can you see the hikers for the flowers?

Farrington Highway

Picking the not so low-hanging fruit that was first introduced to the islands in 1824 by Captain Meek from Manila.

Farrington Highway

In search of shade.

Makaha Beach

Strolling around the beach which is where big wave surfing was born.

Farrington Highway

We decided to skip the arch at Kea’au Beach Park as the waves were hammering the coastline.

Farrington Highway

Akira balancing on the concrete dividers that separated the road and boulders from coastal erosion.

Kaneana (Makua Cave)

We escaped the sweltering heat and cooled off by entering the roughly 150,000 year old cave that was once underwater.

Kaneana (Makua Cave)

The cave reputedly is roughly 450′ deep and there are branching tunnels for those with a yearn to explore and headlamps. We had neither in stock today.

Kaneana (Makua Cave)

Legend has it that this was once home to the shark god, Nanaue who would lure unsuspecting travelers to his lair and have them for dinner. Not wanting to be shark bait, we soon exited the cool cavern.

All pau

Thanks to Dave for shuttling us back to our cars.

GPS Tracks

Our hot as heck walk strolled us around 10.6 miles today. Fun walk with good friends. Post hike meal at Denny’s, where there was something for everybody.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Chico Cantu, Chris Bautista, Dale Yoshizu, Mari Saito, Susan Katz, 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.

Thanks to Ka’eo for dropping Aida, Jasmin, Mari and myself off at Makua Cave to start our perimeter walk #8 around the island.

Makua Cave

We left the cave of Kane that was formerly inhabited by Kamahoalii, a shape shifting shark god that had an appetite for humans until he was destroyed by the local residents.

Farrington Highway

Finding a dime heads up is considered lucky and also an confirmation that you are on the right path.

Farrington Highway

Somebody was arriving fashionably late or more commonly known as Hawaiian time.

Farrington Highway

Jasmin found something on the roadside that was worth more than a dime.

Farrington Highway

Ferlino swung into his natural habitat and picked some tamarind seeds that were too sour for somebody’s taste buds.

Farrington Highway

Open table not to be confused with OpenTable.

Ohikilolo Ranch

Cattle and Kiawe trees waiting to be harvested for domestic and international consumption.

Farrington Highway

How wide is it?

Farrington Highway

The best time to go fishing with Kaena Point and her gleaming golf balls in the distance.

Farrington Highway

Why walk when you can run? Hooah!

Kea’au Beach

Keeping our feet dry.

Kea’au Beach

360 degree perspective.

Kea’au Beach

Hop, skip, and a jump.

Kea’au Beach

Coastal erosion at work.

Kea’au Beach

Hawaiian sea salt straight from the lava rocks.

Farrington Highway

Just missing the car.

Makaha Beach

In 1937, John Kelly and Wally Froiseth who were looking for lobsters, “discovered” the savage waves crashing onto the beach and the rest is history.

Makaha Beach

Enjoying the calm waters before the winter months.

Farrington Highway

Looking out at Makaha Stream that originates deep within Makaha Valley.

Farrington Highway

Art interpretation of a gecko, that should be hanging in the house and not outside.

Mauna Lahilahi

We detoured off the beaten path for a short hike up to what is also referred to as the smallest mountain and turtle rock.

Mauna Lahilahi

Starting our short hike up the thin mountain.

Mauna Lahilahi

Going the “harder” way.

Mauna Lahilahi

The others went the more direct way. To each their own.

Mauna Lahilahi

360 degree perspective on the 230′ summit.

Mauna Lahilahi

Jasmin with a sweeping view of Papaoneone Beach and the Hawaiian Princess Resort.

Mauna Lahilahi

Aida standing with distant views of Kea’au and Kamaile’unu Ridges in the background.

Mauna Lahilahi

Somebody started cramping while coming down from the mountain. The sudden altitude change back to sea level can do that to ones body. Or not. I’m not a medical doctor.

Mountain Magic Shave Ice

Enjoying syrup soaked shaved ice that was originally introduced to Hawaii by Japanese immigrant workers back in the early 1900s.

Farrington Highway

Umbrellas do come in handy on a walk.

Farrington Highway

The shark is seen by some Hawaiians as their ‘aumakua that were personal or family gods.

Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

Bronze bust of the “The Voice of Hawaii” that was dedicated in 2003.

Kaupuni Stream

Looking out at the Waianae Mountain Range in the background.

Farrington Highway

The most famous word from Hawaii when broken down means breath of life.

First Hawaiian Bank

Banker’s hours.

Tamura Super Market

We popped in the store that was founded in the 1920s and was originally called Tamura Shoten for some cold refreshments.

Farrington Highway

Mural of vintage cars.

Farrington Highway

Walking on the highway that originally started as a walking route for those wanting to access the West side from central and Ewa Beach side. Full circle.

Kaukama Road

Passing by the hill that is dominated by military fortifications known as pillboxes that were built back in 1923.

All pau

Mahalo to Jason for picking us up farther down the road than expected. Hitchhikers can’t be choosy.

GPS Tracks

Our perimeter walk covered 10.9 miles through the sun baked landscape. Post hike meal at Julie’z. Can I see that found phone again Jasmin? I guess it’s back to being lost.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Ferlino Carinio, Jasmin Nepomuceno, Mari Saito, 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.

Exploring Mauna Lahilahi on the Waianae side is a nice little climb up the world’s smallest mountain. I wouldn’t by any stretch, call this a hike. Glenn and I met Chris on Lahilahi Street and went over the rock wall. Sign says the park is open from 5am to 10pm, but the gates were still locked at 7:00am. Hawaiian time.

Which trail shall we take up?

There appeared to be several trails that leads up to the top, some from the ocean and mountain sides. We took the most obvious trail going up on the mountain side.

Nice little climb

We made short work of the rocky hill. It’s not very challenging at all, although there are some spots you can climb, otherwise just contour around the rock formations.

Top of Mauna Lahilahi

We arrived at the 230′ summit roughly 10 minutes after we had started from the bottom.

Looking towards Kaena Point

A nice view looking towards Kaena Point and the semi-private beach below us. We saw a guy doing his early morning stand up paddle boarding and a dolphin excursion boat skipping along the deep blue waters, country living at it’s finest.

Sun breaking over the mountains

Catching the sunrise breaking over the Waianae mountain range.

Deep blue Pacific Ocean

Looking at the end of Mauna Lahilahi or “thin mountain” extend and drop into the Pacific Ocean, this view offers a closer and different perspective than most other climbs and hikes that we have done.

Kamaileunu Ridge in Waianae is probably one of the hardest hikes we have done to date and an experience I do not wish to duplicate anytime soon! It’s only seven miles round trip, but it will be one of the longest and toughest seven miles you will hike.

Trailhead

Our hike started on Maiuu Road which is off Farrington Highway and right across Waianae High School. The trailhead is at the end of the road before it turns left. We pushed through the grass to find the trail marked with pink ribbons and climbed over an old metal irrigation ditch and continued our hike up the rocky hill.

Kamaile heiau

The trail continues to the left of the Kamaile Heiau and contours around it until the ridge is regained . The peak on the coastline, is Mauna Lahilahi which used to be part of the Kamaileune ridge. We somehow missed Kuka’au’au cave which is supposed to be at the foot of the ridge. This cave was once fed by Keko’o Springs and used to irrigate large patches of taro back in the day.

Rolling hills

After the initial steep rocky climb, the trail turned into a grassy trail over several rolling hills that were populated by heavy goat droppings.

Panoramic view of Waianae and Makaha Valleys

Looking back from the ridge, we had superb views of Waianae and Makaha Valleys. I think that Kamaileunu Ridge boasts the best views of Leeward Oahu, hands down. Click here to see the original and much larger panoramic image.

Still going up

About a mile later, the trail became steeper marked with narrow dike rock formations.

Water break

We took a much needed water break at one of the false peaks after hiking for about 2 1/2 hours. The first part of the hike we hiked on the Makaha side of the mountain which gave us partial shade from the hot sun. From this point on, there was no place no hide from the heat. Except for a few meager patches scattered on the top parts of the ridge and the saddle of ironwood trees, there are no trees or substantial foliage to offer shelter and shade.

Goat kids

We came across two black goat kids on the trail that looked like they just dropped from a nannie goat, as they were still covered in placenta goo and were bleating and unable to even stand yet. Lucky for them, we were hikers and not hunters.

Waianae Valley

We stopped and admired the view of Waianae Valley while sucking more water. It was a beautiful day on the Leeward side, but unfortunately the beauty also came with scorching heat.

Goat lookouts

As we made our way up the ridge, we spotted numerous flocks of goats running full speed down the side ridges. I wonder how many goats met their end when they just ran off the ridge? We also spotted a couple of goats checking us out from a ridge above us. At this point on the trail, there is a goat fence on the ridge, we had decided it was easier to contour the trail on the Waianae Valley side.

False peaks

There are so many false peaks that I lost count of them, just when we thought we had gained the summit, we had to tackle another false peak. This really played with our heads when we went back, as just when we thought we were almost at the trailhead, another false peak after another would pop into view.  

Mount Ka'ala

We finally made it to the end of the trail with superb views of Mount Ka’ala and the Waianae coast and valleys. I believe we had passed the actual summit at 3,270 feet a little earlier, which is the third highest mountain after Mt. Ka’ala and Pu’u Kalena.

Going back down

Going back down was hot and hard on the knees as the entire trail is brittle rock which just pounded our joints. Also water became an issue. All our prior hikes, I would bring three 16 oz water bottles and would never drink all of them. This time I brought five bottles and shared one with my friend and ran out about halfway down the ridge. All I could think of while trudging down the ridge was grabbing an ice cold coke-strawberry slurpee from 7-11,  which is what we did immediately once our eight hour hike was over. When we finally got back down to the road, I was drained, sore and tired. Kamaileunu Ridge certainly lives up to it’s reputation as challenging to say the least.