Joined HTMC for a members only hike that advertised that “our goal is a saddle on the southeast valley rim.” Intrigued by the possibility of a “new hike”, I met up with the waiting members in the outer parking lot of Ahupua’a ‘O Kahana State Park. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Trailhead

The hike coordinator, Caitlin, advised us that this hike was simply a rebranded hike that lead up but not to the summit of Pu’u Ohulehule. She dangled the option of continuing to the summit on our own after the club hike to the saddle ended. After moving our cars further into the valley, we started hiking into the state’s only public ahupua’a that stretches from the top of Pu’u Pauao to Kahana Bay.

Dam

Everybody getting their feet wet at the first stream crossing.

Kahana Stream

Left the Nakoa Trail to ford the second stream teeming with who knows what.

Trail

We crossed two more narrow streams interrupted by a forest filled of lauhala aerial roots and crunchy leaves. The trail soon left the valley floor and began the long incline towards the summit, that was somewhat tempered by the recent clearing.

Trail

Janice and Don, veteran HTMC hikers, coming up the trail. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Kahana Saddle

Group photo left to right: Don, Janice, Caitlin, Lilyn, myself, James, Sonia, Yuchon, Dale and David. There were some stragglers still coming up the ridge that didn’t make the group shot. Six of us decided to continue to the summit, while the rest of the group turned back.

Trail

Lilyn leaving the flat spot on the saddle to begin our short but steep climb to the summit.

Trail

Caitlin pulling herself up the ridge.

‘ie’ie

Bug buffet. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Southeast ridge

Group photo with the ridge behind us that Stuart Ball called “the most dangerous hike on the island.” My suggestion that we hike down that direction was met with a mixture of laughter and dismissal.

Pu’u Ohulehule Summit

The typical photo shot of Pu’u Kanehoalani from the 2,265′ summit.

Trail

What goes up must come back down. Braking our gravity fueled descent with ropes and tree branches.

Northeast ridge

Looking back at the last ridge that we haven’t hiked to the summit of the pyramid peak. On the list.

Swimming hole

Caitlin plunged into the cool waters of Kawa Stream to seek a brief respite from the stifling humidity that hung in the air.

All pau

Should I or shouldn’t I? Plucking the pink ribbons off the tree branches so that the trail can remain in relative obscurity? Our fun in and out hike covered 6.75 miles through streams and steep ridges with spectacular valley views. Post hike meal at Waiahole Poi Factory where you can’t have Hawaiian food without chili pepper water.

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.

I was looking for a parade on this Veteran’s Day Holiday. Waterfall parade. Dale showed Cathy, Chris B, James, Jennifer, Justin, Mae, Menchie, Thessa and myself the trail today.

Trailhead

We all met up at Laie Shopping Center and carpooled to the trailhead.

Farms

Justin felt right at home passing through the farmland. Fire up that tractor!

Dip

The road dipped as the stream ran through a semi-broken culvert.

Trail

We soon left the farmland and headed deeper into the gulch on a defined trail.

Stream crossing

Water was clear and trickling. No flash flood conditions today. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Rock hopping

Slippery when wet.

Tree hopping

The group going over a tree to make their way across the stream.

Stream crossing

How many crossings did we do?

Boulder hopping

There were some pretty large sized boulders scattered in the stream.

Wailele Falls

Group photo left to right: Cathy, Thessa, Mae, Jennifer, Menchie, myself, James, Chris B, Justin and Dale.

Top of Wailele Falls

Took us only one hour to make it to the waterfalls. Photo by James Agas.

Wailele Stream

Rumor has it that there are bigger waterfalls upstream. Another hike for another day.

Water fun

Splish splash.

All pau

The short and sweet waterfall hike covered 4.4 miles. Glad to have met new and old faces on the hike. Post hike meal at the bustling Seven Brothers. Gives Teddy’s Bigger Burgers a run for their money.

Secret Island

Four of us stopped at Kualoa Regional Park since the day was still long. Group photo looking out over Moli’i Pond to the rugged mountain of Kanehoalani. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Panoramic view

One can dream. Click here for the larger image. Photo by Chris Bautista.

SS Moku Kalama

Four hikers set sail that day. Now where’s the key? I guess we’re not setting sail. Photo by Justin Hirako.

All pau

Fun on the swings. No hammocks swinging in the breeze. Walking in the sand. It was a good day. Photos by Justin Hirako.

Only had time for a quick hike today. Mokoli’i Island or Chinaman’s Hat as it is more commonly known fit the bill.

Getting ready

I met Jasmin at Kualoa Regional Park, which was crowded with weekend campers. We managed to launch the kayak in the water without flipping ourselves in the process. Always an accomplishment in my book.

Prepare to land

The waters were a little choppy and the current kept us making corrections to make sure we landed on the island. As we got closer, we could see several kayaks already on the beach and people on top of the island.

Pu’u Kanehoalani

Roughly 15 minutes later, we found ourselves on Chinaman’s Hat. Looking out towards the impressive Pu’u Kanehoalani which sits on Kualoa Ranch.

Panoramic view from the top

It was a quick 10-15 minute walk to the top. From the 210′ elevation, we could see the Ko’olau Mountain Range, Pu’u Ohulehule and Pu’u Kanehoalani. Quite a treat. Click here for the larger image.

Swimmers

We saw swimmers, SUP and more kayaks approaching the island. Guess this place gets a lot of traffic. The island is owned by the City & County and is open from dawn to dusk.

Cove

Looking down at the small cove on the northern side of the island.

Rain shower

The swimmers came ashore on the island just in time to catch a rain shower moving in from the ocean.

Mauka view

Looking towards the mountains.

Makai view

Looking towards the ocean.

Looking towards Kaneohe

Climbed down to get a better view of the island. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Looking back towards Kualoa

A different view of the island.

Rock climbing

Small kine rock climbing on the Kaneohe ocean side of the island. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Kayaking away

Leaving Chinaman’s Hat. It was fun.

GPS Tracks

Round trip mileage including kayaking and exploring the island was a whopping one mile. Short and sweet. Almost makes me want to buy a kayak. Next island to visit: Gilligan’s Island!