Our hike today ranged from Plan A (Ohulehule) – bad weather, Plan B (Kolekole Pass) – no drop off, Plan C (Pueo Falls) – no flow, Plan D (Ma’akua Falls) – well some of us got to do that and finally down to Plan E (Pu’u Ma’eli’eli) and ended with us waiting more than hiking. A wonderful test of our patience and then some. Photo by Art Young.

Sunrise

Aida and I piled into Lilyn’s car and drove to the designated meet up spot which was Swanzy Beach Park. We caught the sunrise on our way. One of the few bright spots in our day. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Hau’ula

We found out the goat was running late. Surprise. So we decided to scoot on a tree to kill time.

Reflections

Time marched on, unfortunately we were not marching anywhere. Called the rest of the group to find out their ETA. Unanswered. Waiting turned into worrying. We drove to Kahana Valley to see if the others went there by mistake. Nada. We turned around and drove all the way back to Temple Valley to see if perhaps they got into an accident. Nada. Quan even dropped by Ferlino’s house to find out that Jasmin had already dropped them off. Calls still went unanswered. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Ma’akua Falls

Art, Ferlino and Tessa frolicking under the shadow of the 600′ falls. TFTI.

Swanzy Beach Park

I’m a little confused here. Does meet up at Swanzy Beach Park sound like meet up at Ma’akua Falls? What we’ve got here is failure to communicate. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Uncle Bobo’s

Half the day was already spent and half of us still didn’t do squat. So we ended up eating an early lunch at the nearby eatery. Thanks to Jasmin for bringing us a Filipino dessert after she corrected her overshot to Laie.

Swanzy Beach Park

Dumpster diving before they become finger lickin’ good.

Swanzy Beach Park

When you go out on a limb and fail to meet somebody’s expectations of humping.

Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail

We decided to do the digging hills trail to salvage what was left of our day, along with Quan who joined our late hike.

Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail

Going up the slick and cloying mud that passed for a trail. Photo by Art Young.

Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail

Ducking through the corridor of trees and treading on the rooted path. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail

Rope? We don’t need no stinkin’ rope!

Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail

Group photo at the sign that also gives a short history of the place.

Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail

Exploring one of the two WW2 bunkers leftover from Camp He’eia.

Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail

Approaching the last bunker that affords one panoramic views of the Windward coastline.

Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail

Inside and outside.

Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail

Group photo left to right of the reunited group: Aida, Lilyn, Tessa, myself, Quan, Ferlino and Art.

Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail

To make the hike a tad more interesting, we all agreed to hike down the trail towards the ocean as none of us had done it before. Photo by Art Young.

Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail

Climbing down the steeply rooted section. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail

Passing underneath the low overhead trees and fern covered trail. Photo by Art Young.

Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail

Luckily, we don’t have any NBA players in our group.

Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail

We had to backtrack a bit as Art noticed we were going the “wrong” way and not the “right” way.

Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail

In over our heads. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail

Breaking out into an open spot with scenic views. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail

Following the ribboned trail on our way down the ridge line.

Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail

Skirting the fenced homes as we looked for our way out. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail

There’s always a swinger in the group. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kamehameha Hwy

Excuse me, we’re looking for the open house? Luckily, a friendly neighbor allowed us safe passage while another not so friendly one scowled and yelled at some of us.

Kamehameha Hwy

Walking out of the trail and back to pounding the pavement. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kamehameha Hwy

When you don’t have exact change for the bus. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kamehameha Hwy

Walking on the highway where it was brought up that somebody’s acquaintance got run over on this same stretch of road not too long ago. Good timing to bring it up. Let’s get off this road.

Kamehameha Hwy

Passing time as Ferlino went ahead to retrieve Quan’s car at the harbor.

Kamehameha Hwy

When somebody thinks they’re driving their van, when they’re actually driving a compact car which can only hold five. We numbered seven. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

All pau

Driving back to the harbor where we saw the shrimp boat with no fresh fish. No bueno on visiting the grass shack. Only for family and friends. We didn’t fall into either camp.

GPS Tracks

Our trying hike covered 2.5 miles with fun and forgetful friends. Post hike meal at Kenko-ya, one of the few spots that offered dine-in service.

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.

My wife and I tackled the mother of all extreme hikes today – Pu’u Ma’eli’eli or Digging Hill located by Temple Valley in Kaneohe.

Trailhead

We parked in the Temple Valley neighborhood and walked back up Kahekili Highway to find the trailhead that starts in the back of Hokuloa townhomes. You can’t miss it, just follow the guardrail until it ends and the trail starts to the left of the private property fence.

Bamboo orchid trail

The lower part of the trail was teeming with bamboo orchids on both sides.

First junction

Mari staying on the left trail at the first junction.

Second junction

Continue on the left trail, your other left! The trail is clearly defined and ribboned from this point.

Christmas tree

Some type of algae gift was growing inside this water filled ornament.

Noni

This Polynesian medicinal fruit has made the jump from native applications to MLM to Costco.

Campfire

Now all we need are marshmallows and some singing!

Thicket of trees

Hardest part of the hike – ducking and weaving amongst all these tangled trees.

End of the rope

The final push to the top.

Pu’e Ma’eli’eli

The Hawaiian name translates to Digging Hill, as legend has it that companion Gods, Kane and Kanaloa raced up this hill and had to dig with their hands to get to the top. At least that’s what the sign said.

Views at the top

The winds were kicking and the views spectacular at the top.

Panoramic view from the pillbox

Click here for the larger image.

The trail continues…

From the bunker, a trail continues down to Heeia State Park. Another hike for another day.

GPS Tracks

The 2.48 mile hike was an extreme undertaking to say the least. It took us 30 minutes to get to the top and 15 minutes to get back down. I need a lomilomi massage stat!