According to a passage from Wikipedia, “Humans have had a distinct relationship with waterfalls since prehistory, travelling to see them, exploring and naming them.” That being said, the group met up in the valley that was home to the first coffee plantation in the islands to visit all seven of the waterfalls in the valley. 6/7. Close enough for a probationary member on her birthday hike.

Manoa Valley

Stocking up for the soon to happen festivities. Thanks to Rose for getting these biodegradable balloons and filling them with tap water straight from the pipes of Waimanalo. Edgar pointed out that this was the same street where a local chiropractor had killed his family and himself on March 10, 2024.

Manoa Valley

Starting on the trail as sunbeams danced on the valley floor.

Manoa Valley

YawYaw #1 sharing her can’t miss voice that the forest hasn’t heard since the COVID days.

Manoa Valley

The group making their way through the rain forest. The rain part was soon to come.

Manoa Valley

Walking across one of seven bridges on the way to the waterfalls, on the return trip you cross only six. We were not coming back this way. Not exactly.

Manoa Valley

Matt excited to find a TV in the jungle, until it dawned on him as how is he going to to plug it in.

Manoa Valley

Rose holding her freshly picked bunch of pako ferns while scrambling underneath a fallen tree. Not as easy as it looks. She got skills when it comes to food.

Manoa Valley

Dale trying out for the next cover of CQ – Coconut Quarterly.

Manoa Valley

The famous Laredo graced us with his presence. He was wearing a top and bottom. Unusual for him. We must not be at a waterfall yet.

Queen’s Bath

Our first group photo of the day in the clear pool of water. Does this count as a waterfall? I guess not, since Laredo’s clothes are still on.

Manoa Valley

Climbing out of the bath and into the falls.

Wa’aloa Falls

Our first waterfall and water balloon pelting of the day. LNT. We did pick up the latex remnants from the water.

Wa’aloa Falls

Top down view of the post-latex carnage.

Manoa Valley

Passing the memorial boulder in Waiakeakua Stream for Gladstone Wright, an 11-year old boy that was struck by a falling 7.5 pound rock while out on a picnic on May 14, 1891. He was rushed by carriage to Queen’s Hospital where he later passed to his injuries.

Manoa Valley

One of multiple stream crossings.

Manoa Valley

Matt searching a tunnel that went nowhere.

Waiakeakua Falls

We arrived at the second waterfall as some of us climbed up to the first tier to check out the deep hole.

Waiakeakua Falls

Splish-splash, they were taking a bath
Long about a Sunday morning, yeah
They were a-splishin’ and a a-splashin’, reelin’ with the feelin’
Movin’ and a-groovin’, jumpin’ and a-pumpin’, yeah
Bing-bang we saw the whole gang
Watchin’ and catchin’ our pics

Waiakeakua Falls

The second splattering.

Waiakeakua Falls

Group photo at the waterfalls that offers a route to reach the top of the Ko’olau Mountains if so desired. We were not so inclined this day.

Waiakeakua Falls

Balloon censorship at its wettest. Preferable over pixelation.

Waiakeakua Falls

Making our way back down to the base.

Manoa Valley

Man-made waterfall in the distance. Too small. Doesn’t count.

Manoa Valley

We soon ran into two of Allison’s friends, Joyce and Sam, who joined the group as we continued our search for more waterfalls. It’s like zombies searching for brains, addicting to some.

Manoa Valley

Testing the working load limit on a particular bridge.

Manoa Valley

Passing through a patch of bamboo grass as we looked for the next junction.

Naniuapo Falls

Approaching the third trickling waterfall.

Naniuapo Falls

The third throwing.

Naniuapo Falls

Group photo in the birds nest.

Naniuapo Falls

CB looking for a way to slide down. Left? Right? Helicopter?

Naniuapo Falls

Comments from the peanut gallery down below. The term harks back to vaudeville days when patrons in the cheap seats would throw out jeers and peanuts. At least give us some peanuts.

Naniuapo Falls

CB trying to coax me to go out on a limb. Literally. Hard pass. Already had a recent fall.

Manoa Valley

Walking in the footsteps of the steps that have long since rotted away.

Manoa Valley

Fresh cut flowers from the forest for the birthday girl.

Manoa Valley

Others got blooms and blossoms, I got rocks and rubbish. Shades of Kalalau Trail.

Manoa Valley

Random group photo in the forest.

Manoa Valley

The trail at times was overgrown, muddy and uneven. Par for a waterfall hike.

Manoa Valley

Sandra checking out the lower falls.

Manoa Valley

If a tree falls in a forest, climb on top and take a photo.

Luaalaea Falls

Climbing up to the fourth waterfall.

Luaalaea Falls

The balloons seem to have decreased in volume and accuracy.

Luaalaea Falls

The forecasted rains finally fell from the heavens, increasing the trickle to a stream of water cascading down the cliff.

Manoa Valley

We found Matt’s long, white and hard pipes that he was talking about on the trail. Quite a gusher.

Manoa Valley

The lush and verdant valley saturated with rain gave that prehistoric vibe that led this location to be used in the Jurassic Park movie. It also lead to a dry roll in the grass despite the heavy rain.

Manoa Falls Trail

We soon intersected with the gravel trail masquerading as a brown river that was filled with waterlogged hikers and us looking for that elusive junction, as the bloodhound’s nose must have been congested.

Manoa Valley

Sandra plunging into the brown river. Always a good sign. Right?

Manoa Valley

Roughly 30 minutes of boulder hopping and scrambling through the stream, we got to our fifth waterfall.

Kahuwai’iki Falls

Somebody was happy. This was a waterfall.

Kahuwai’iki Falls

Having a good time until rocks rained on our parade. Refer to Caption #14.

Kahuwai’iki Falls

Seeking a place of relative safety.

Kahuwai’iki Falls

The fifth drubbing of the day.

Kahuwai’iki Falls

Happy Birthday Allison!

Kahuwai’iki Falls

Thanks Mrs. Banks for letting Blaine to come out and play today.

Manoa Valley

Heading back down stream in search of two or one more waterfalls for the day?

Manoa Valley

One of many trees bearing mountain apple blossoms that we came across in the valley. Where are the mouth watering fruits?

Waihi Nui

Andrew auditioning for his direct to dvd movie. I’ll let you guess which genre.

Waihi Nui

Last group photo in front of the 150′ waterfalls more commonly known as Manoa Falls.

Waihi Nui

The final splashing of the day. I guess we are not going to visit the last waterfall known as Little Shitty or by most people, ‘Aihualama Falls. Refer to Caption #1.

All pau

We walked back to our cars and finally found our mountain apples on the street.

GPS Tracks

Our more fun than you can shake a water balloon hike covered 7.2 miles through Manoa Valley with good friends. Post hike meal at Zippy’s where the requested dish of Korean fried chicken was consumed by the birthday girl. Happy Birthday!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3gr-9upnZE

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our waterfall birthday hike.

Photos taken by Lilyn Avendano, Allison Banks, Blaine Banks, Chris Bautista, Joe Caldwell, Ann Colton, Roseann Fai, Edgar Gamiao, Andrew Matsui, Laredo Muredo, Samantha Taylor, Joyce Uhlmer, Matt Vidaurri, Sandra Walter, Dale Yoshizu 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.

We still had daylight to burn from our last hike, so we drove to Manoa in search of a waterfall. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Seven Bridges Trail

My third visit to this trail. Still can’t find all seven bridges. Forward. Backward. Circle.

99 bottles of beer

Waited for Jasmin at this makeshift recycling center. Rumours circulated that she overslept in a cage.

High road

Took the left fork to stay on trail.

Bridge #2

We spaced ourselves apart so that we didn’t exceed the weight limit.

Hang left

Took the left junction that branched off the main trail to Waiakeakua Falls.

Hello?

Jasmin and Jose outside the first abandoned house.

For Sale

This fixer upper is reputedly haunted or just needs a lot of TLC. Fruit trees included.

Small waterfall

Also known as Bamboo Waterfall.

Lush forest

The valley was thick with endemic and introduced flora.

Naniuapo stream

Clouds of mosquitoes drifted from the stream towards our increased carbon dioxide output. Feeding time.

Banyan tree

To climb or not to climb.

50 Shades of Hiking – Part 2

I’m not sure who enjoyed it more. Jasmin or the tree.

Tight squeeze

Thessa making her way through the downed trees that blocked the trail.

Naniuapo falls

Group photo at the trickling waterfall left to right: Thessa, myself, Jose and Jasmin. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Bamboo forest

Going back, we discovered an easier return trail on the opposite side of the stream.

Split tree

We came across a huge tree that had split in half and fallen to the ground, forming a tree arch and a photo opportunity. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Matching car

Thessa, Jasmin and Jose next to an abandoned car. Calling Counting Cars.

Noni fruit

Tastes bad. Good for you? Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Haunted house?

Let’s try to look scared this time. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

All pau

The group making their way out.

GPS Tracks

The short hike into Manoa valley was filled with fun times and good company. Post hike meal at Sanoya. Oxtail soup. Hold the ramen. Stuffed with gyoza.