Jeremy was our guide today in an area that he said was like his backyard or the back of his hand or the back of his head.

Kahuku

The group getting their safety briefing. Pay attention and take notes. Never mind the lunch time.

Kahuku

Interrupting Cristy’s nature call to take our group photo.

Kahuku

Walking up the road that leads to the abandoned buildings. You mean we can drive up there? Are we not hikers?

Kahuku

I hear you knocking (rocking) but you can’t come in.

Kahuku

WTF? This is not Nutella splashed all over me!

Kahuku

Cardio climb.

Kahuku

Off-roading down the trail.

Kahuku

Detour to get a view of the surrounding areas.

Kahuku

No rest for the weary. We must keep persevering despite being exhausted. Trying to stay true to the saying.

Kahuku

Plan B. Bushed but not beaten.

Kahuku

Connecting to the other ridge.

Kahuku

Alexis trying, unsuccessfully, to convey the feeling of anxiety that was coined in the 1920s.

Kahuku

The final push to the abandoned facility.

Kahuku Nike Missile Site Complex

Checking out the water tank as we explored the administration area of the site that operated from 1961 to 1970.

Kahuku Nike Missile Site Complex

Using ones imagination when attempting to engage in physical exercise with a non-functioning machine.

Kahuku Nike Missile Site Complex

Exploring Building 84 that was built to accommodate the addition of the HIP AR (High Power Acquisition Radar) equipment. Jeremy said that on a prior visit the building and its contents were all in order and now it’s completely trashed by others.

Kahuku Nike Missile Site Complex

Public school graduate.

Kahuku Nike Missile Site Complex

Checking out Building 70 that served as the Frequency Changer and Generator Building for the Nike missile battery.

Kahuku Nike Missile Site Complex

Walking in the foothills of Kahuku.

Kahuku Nike Missile Site Complex

Entering Building 80 that housed the cable system that connected the radar trailers to each other and to the launch site.

Kahuku Nike Missile Site Complex

Exploring what is considered the most intact of the original four Nike missile sites that once operated on this island.

Kahuku Nike Missile Site Complex

Going inside Building 63 which was the home of the pencil pushers.

Kahuku Nike Missile Site Complex

The most important building that was next door was Building 67, the place where the soldiers ate and slept.

Kahuku Nike Missile Site Complex

Do you want the lunch special? Nothing for me. Lost my appetite.

Kahuku

Most of the group had their fill of old and musty buildings so they passed on hiking down to the Launcher Area and elected to go back to our cars. Back in the day, Alaska and Hawaii were the only locations were the Nike-Hercules missiles were test fired. In 1966, a live fire test exploded over the Pacific Ocean and rained metal fragments on the town of Kahuku.

Kahuku

Running across dirt bikers using the track area that was established back in 1971.

Kahuku

Old skool. IYKYK.

Kahuku

Group photo at one of the few scenic spots on the trail.

Kahuku

Two way traffic on the road.

Kahuku

Chico pushing the next generation over the mound.

All pau

Sometimes it’s best to take things literally in life.

Haleiwa

Our exploratory hike of one the relics left over from the Cold War covered 5.78 miles through the foothills of Kahuku. Thanks to Jeremy and everybody for the fun hike. Post hike meal at Teddy’s Bigger Burgers where outside food and tax payer funded poke were welcome.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Alexis Catarina, Chico Cantu, Cristy CM, Jeremy Cannone, Kenny Lui, 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.