Dark grey clouds and rain showers greeted us at the top of Alewa Drive. Rain was good at feeding the waterfalls but lousy at providing views at the top, as Marvin, Nani, Jade, Chris and myself were hiking from Mo’ole Falls to Lanihuli. After a good soaking, the rain passed and Will arrived to ferry us to the Pali Hunter Check In Station. Photo by Marvin Chandra.

Nuuanu doorman

Actually Will was supposed to have joined our crew today, but he had more pressing family matters – lunch with his mother-in-law. We thanked him for the ride and asked for any kalbi leftovers and crossed the Pali Highway to enter the lush forest.

Mudslide?

We came across this section that a mudslide had filled in the ditch and washed out the trail. Nature’s construction at work.

Headlamps?

Jade climbing into the ditch that leads to the irrigation tunnel. Headlamps and a lack of claustrophobia are highly recommended as the tunnel is about 5′  high and over 140′ long.

Coming out of the tunnel

Chris making his way to the light. Remember the tunnel height is about 5′ ? Chris who is about 6′, bumped his head as he sloshed his way through the muddy passage. Ouch!

Waterfall #1

After exiting the tunnel, we followed Mo’ole Stream to the first waterfall.

Watch your head

Jade and Nani ducking under some tree branches, at least it’s not rock!

Waterfall #2

Group photo at the largest waterfall, left to right: Marvin, Jade, Nani, Chris and myself. Notice Marvin’s expression.

Going up the trail

We backtracked a bit and regained the trail as we continued our waterfall exploration.

waterfall #3

Climbing down from the trail led us to the third waterfall.

Silk shot?

1/5 shutter speed was Marvin’s advice to best capture the moving water from the top of the third waterfall.

Rock hopping

Nani and Jade making their way to the next waterfall.

Waterfall #4

They should call this one the tree branches waterfall.

Waterfall #5

This one barely registers on the waterfall scale, a mere footnote.

Waterfall #6

Looking at the rather large boulder perched on the waterfall, I can only wonder how long before it rolls off?

Upstream

No slipping and sliding for me on this hike as I was using my spanking brand new tabis. I highly recommend them for waterfall hiking. Two toes up!

Waterfall #7

Having a timer speed of 25 seconds paid off for this group shot as I had to slowly make my way through muddy grass and slippery rocks. Notice Marvin’s expression.

On to the next waterfall

The group contoured to the right of the stream and dropped into the last waterfall we were going to see on this hike.

Waterfall #8?

We took our lunch break next to this gushing and roaring waterfall.

No more waterfalls

Waterfall time was over. Marvin, Jade, and Nani going up the ribboned trail on the left as we made our way out of the valley.

Coming out of the valley

Looking back at the views of town.

Pig trail?

Going up this steep pig trail, only saving grace was that somebody had cleared a path through the uluhe ferns. Thank you!

Lanihuli!

After pulling ourselves up the pig trail that finally connected to Alewa ridge, we started our climb towards Lanihuli.

Bowman trail to CCL

Looking at the Bowman trail to Haiku Stairs. Another hike that I still have to do.

View from the summit of Lanihuli

We reached the 2,700′ summit of Lanihuli to find it cloud free. Cheehoo!

Summit photo

Spoke too soon. A short while later, the cloud deck started dropping down. Quick! Take the group photo. Notice Marvin’s expression.

Going back down

After the clouds ended our viewing party at the summit, we descended back down the ridge. The views of Pali Hwy, Nuuanu Reservoir, Town and Likelike Hwy can be seen in this photo by Marvin Chandra.

Kalihi Saddle

Looking back at Kalihi Saddle, our hike to her had been postponed five times due to weather. Would the sixth time be the charm?

Tornado cloud?

Coming down the ridge, we spotted a tornado looking cloud.

The Nani lecture

Nani pointing her finger at Marvin and lecturing him to stay with the group. Chris had cut his back and developed leg cramps on the way down. But he was still glad that he made the hike!

Snacks

We enjoyed some refreshing strawberry guavas on the way down. Depending on the trail and time of year, one can find mountain apples, lilikoi (passion fruit) and strawberry guavas to fill your tummy.

It’s not the Ritz

We were almost at the end of the trail, when we stopped to take a group photo at this windbreak shelter. It has seen better days. Notice Marvin’s expression. I think he actually cracked a smile in this one!

Breaking out

The fenced gate is now padlocked, so we had to climb over the fence.

All pau!

The last group photo of the day at the top of Alewa Drive. A great hike with a great crew.

Cleaning in progress

Chris using a neighbor’s garden hose to wash himself off. That’s how hikers get a bad rap. Actually, we stopped at a co-worker’s house and politely asked if we could wash our dirty bodies. Request granted.

GPS Tracks

The 6.13 mile hike was filled with waterfalls, ridge hikes and summit views. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday.

Bonus map

Marvin made this neat picto-map of our hike. Quite the creative chap.