We all met up at the Kualoa Beach Park to start our perimeter walk this morning.

Kualoa Beach Park

A certain furry four legged hiker joined the group of Aida, Akira, Alexis, Chico, Cristy, Mari, Tessa and myself on the sprawling 153 acres.

Kualoa Beach Park

Big shadows and small shadow.

Kualoa Beach Park

Going over the wall. Legally.

Kualoa Beach Park

Walking on the beach with the islet of Mokoli’i in the background. The island used to be part of Kualoa Ranch as it was purchased in 1850 from King Kamehameha III for $1,300.00 ($53,996.00 today). It was purchased by the City in the 1970s.

Kualoa Beach Park

Stumping for Groot. Represent.

Secret Island

Arriving at the NOT secret and NOT island. It’s just a beach with certain amenities that you can only use if you’re part of a tour package.

Secret Island

Group photo at one of the docks with Kualoa Mountain in the background.

Secret Island

Walking over to the next dock.

Secret Island

Disappointed the sign doesn’t say “Secret Island.” Marketing 101.

Secret Island

Brah, you get license to drive boat? Nevamine!

Secret Island

Survey says … WOOF!

Kualoa Beach Park

On our return trip back, we were approached by these two braddahs who asked who owns the Black Honda? One guess and one guess only. Thanks to Charlie and Elijah for their aloha!

Kualoa Beach Park

Talking story with Elijah, turns out his dream is to hike from Pupukea to Waiahole.

Kualoa Beach Park

Seeing is believing. I have been saying for years that chickens live and sleep in trees. Nobody believed me until today.

Kamehameha Highway

Groot piggybacking on Chico.

Kamehameha Highway

Some of us wanted free coffee, so we had to recall Alexis who had zoned in on her music and was far ahead of the group.

The Macadamia Nut Outlet

Group photo with the obliging statues.

The Macadamia Nut Outlet

Sampling the free coffee and macadamia nuts.

Kamehameha Highway

Back on the road. And he’s got a dog too. Double threat.

Coral Kingdom

Stopping at the tourist trap, I mean spot on the way. The huli-huli chicken sure smelled good.

Coral Kingdom

You need smoke in order to follow it.

Coral Kingdom

Browsing and puffing and drinking.

Kamehameha Highway

It sure is hot today.

Waikane

We turned off the highway to do a short and easy hike. Those words will come back to haunt me. Saw a hapai (pregnant) pig with her own guard dog. Nobody is messing with this pua’a (pig).

Waikane

The group going up the trail. Somebody was saying we don’t have hiking shoes, only walking shoes. Hiking is a form of walking.

Waikane

Chico helping Mari across a slippery section. Who said this hike is easy?

Waikane

Moli’i Fishpond in the background, which is one of only four original Hawaiian fishponds on the island.

Waikane

Scrambling up the Southeast Ridge of Pu’u Ohulehule, most hikers know it as Pride Rock as an obvious reference to the Disney movie, “The Lion King.”

Waikane

Aida on her approach to the top, walking shoes and all.

Waikane

The “classic” Pride Rock photograph.

Waikane

The “new” Tree Monkey photograph.

Waikane

The group relaxing and being chilled by the refreshing trade winds.

Waikane

Overlooking Kualoa Ranch and its domain.

Waikane

Can you spot Akira below the rock shelf?

Waikane

Time to head back down.

Waikane

Where’s my hiking stick?

Waikane

Two ropes are better than one.

Waikane

Where’s that second rope when you need it?

Waikane

Group photo with the Hawaiian flag that was adopted in 1845 and now represents the 50th state in the Union.

Waikane

Sliding our way down to the exit.

Kamehameha Highway

Sign me up.

Kamehameha Highway

Groot channeling his inner Musk.

Kamehameha Highway

The girls checking out the roadside refreshment stand. Tourist prices.

Kamehameha Highway

Fail. Go back to rapelling.

Kamehameha Highway

$10 Coconut. Cristy was thirsty.

Kamehameha Highway

Everybody needs shade from the hot sun. Where is that portable AC?

Kamehameha Highway

There’s gold in them thar tilipia filled waters.

Kamehameha Highway

Chico went to get shave ice. The rest of us went to get lunch. Hangry.

Waiahole Poi Factory

Lunch at the establishment that started as a poi factory in 1905 and then became the current restaurant in 2009.

All pau

Taking the air-conditioned bus back to our cars at Kualoa Ranch.

GPS Tracks

Our #13 perimeter walk covered 7.5 miles that also included two short hike detours that everybody did even with walking shoes. Awesome day with fun friends.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Alexis Catarina, Chico Cantu, Cristy CM, Mari Saito, 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.

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.