Rain had cancelled our plans to hike from Kalawahine trail to K1 to Lulumahu Falls, so it was off to Kaena Point with Chenay, J, Kinky, Nate L and Nate Y.

Fishing spot

We parked past Yokohama Beach and joined the rest of the hikers on the trail to Kaena Point. This trail sees a lot of use from fishermen and hikers, especially on the weekends.

Bouldering spot

Approaching a popular bouldering spot. One who spends time at VRG ( Volcanic Rock Gym ) can put all their practice to use here.

Another view

Looking back at the spot offers another perspective.

Rugged coastline

The Waianae side never fails to impress me with her rugged beauty.

Crossing to the other side

The last time that I had hiked to Kaena Point from Mokuleia, this pest control fence was still being built. Mission accomplished.

Resting in the shade

Spotted this albatross chick on the way in.

Rock climbing

J showing us how it’s done. Getting ready for Kalihi Saddle!

Looking for a new home

 This blue-eyed hermit crab was looking for a new home. The current tenant didn’t want to move.

Ladybug

There was a thin film or sheen covering this ladybug. Don’t know if it was molting or hatching, is that the correct word? Sorry not a bug person.

Knock Knock

Check out this interesting looking mustachioed spider. What’s for lunch?

Going up

We were also hoping to see some monk seals, but no such luck. So we left the fenced area and made our way up to the mountain.

Looking back

Looking towards Kaena Point, the westernmost tip of Oahu.

Bunker #1

Group photo left to right: myself, Nate L, Nate Y, Kinky, J and Chenay (sitting) at the first bunker.

Some more climbing

Nate L, Chenay and Kinky making their way up the mountain. It was hot. Waianae hot.

Bunker #2

Another group photo at the second bunker.

Going inside

Nate Y showing us the way into the bunker. The island is littered with military bunkers from WW2 that occupies the high grounds, some are safe to explore and others are not. Use caution when exploring these military relics, as they are over 70 years old.

Going up?

Chenay halfway up the ladder. The ladder is twisted at the top, making the full climb to the top and out sketchy. It was a sweltering sauna in the bunker, so we all exited through the bunker doors.

Still more climbing

We came across some other hikers on the mountain that were totally unprepared. No water on this scorcher of a day. J was nice enough to give them an extra bottle of water.

Looking down

Eventually the heat got to some in our group, so we made our way back down.

Cave exploration

Nate L entering one of the caves that is located outside of the fenced area. You have to climb down from the trail to get to this cave.

Inside the cave

It was a lot cooler inside this cave than the bunker.

Going back out

Nate L leaving the cave.

The tracks back home

Walking in the remnants of the railroad ties as we made our way back. Oahu Railway & Land used to operate railroad tracks from 1889 until 1946 when the Aleutian Tsunami and increased road infrastructure signaled the end of the locomotive in Hawaii. These tracks once ran around Kaena Point to Haleiwa. What a ride that must have been.

GPS Tracks

The 6.12 mile exploration hike took us a little over five hours.

Kaena Point can be approached from the Waianae side or the Mokuleia side. We met up with the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club in the Kaena Point State Reserve Park parking lot at the end of Mokuleia.

Jeep road

Our large group of about 20 hikers started walking on this two mile stretch of uneven road, which is shared with fishermen driving their off road trucks and mountain bikers. We also saw a couple of planes and gliders fly overhead from nearby Dillingham Airfield. Kaena means “the heat” in Hawaiian, a very fitting name. There is no shade from the hot sun, none at all. Be prepared with sunscreen and hats.

Trailhead

We soon came to the entrance of the Kaena Point Nature Reserve. From this point, due to obvious reasons, off road trucks are not permitted, only hikers and mountain bikers can pass through. The club said they had obtained a special permit to access the reserve, but I saw a number of mountain bikers pass through this gate with no “special permits.”

Spirit Leap Rock

Along the trail, we saw the Spirt Leap Rock or leina a ka ‘uhane, where in Hawaiian mythology, the recently passed would use this place as a jumping point into the afterlife.

Lighthouse – new and old

The lighthouse marks the tip of Kaena Point. The original concrete lighthouse can be seen to the right where it fell over.

Waianae Mountain Range

Looking back at the Waianae Mountain Range.

Look!

Mari pointing to a Hawaiian Monk Seal.

Hawaiian Monk Seal

We saw this Hawaiian Monk Seal sunbathing in one of the coves. They are federally protected, so do not approach them to closely or bother them.

Tidepools

The reserve is ringed with tidepools teeming with all sorts of marine life. During winter time, the surf rivals and exceeds the monster waves at Waimea Bay. Due to it’s remoteness, few surfers come out here to ride them.

Sea Cucumber

Checking out a sea cucumber, a fellow Chinese hiker was telling me that in China, this is considered an expensive delicacy. What are you waiting for?

Sea Urchin

Looking at another marine delicacy, sea urchin. The Japanese call it uni, which they slather on top of sushi. Hold the wasabi.

Albatross chick

We left the waters to trek inland to see an albatross chick out of his nest which was right on the edge of the trail. They are building a pest fence that would contain most of the ocean facing areas from the mountain areas in an effort to prevent feral pigs, dogs and rodents from entering the preserve and eating the eggs and chicks.

Black footed Albatross

Along with the Black footed albatross, the preserve is also home to the Wedge Tailed Shearwater birds and other seabirds as well as endangered plants, some only found at Kaena Point.

Going back

Eventually we made our way back on the trail, hiking a total of around five miles. It was a nice exploratory hike on the West side.