Met up with Chico, Jen, Laredo, Lilyn, Mari, Quan, Tessa, and William for our third leg of the perimeter walk today.

Waiahole Poi Factory

We took our group photo that we missed from the last walk after Chico and Lilia staged the truck at Kualoa Beach Park.

Kamehameha Highway

It was too early to get a treat of Sweet Lady of Waiahole, so we pushed off on our walk.

Kamehameha Highway

What’s that? I forgot something? My medication?

Kamehameha Highway

Tessa rubbing elbows with the legend.

Kamehameha Highway

Somebody’s on the wrong side of the bridge.

Waikane Store

Pop Quiz: What is Chico doing?
A) Panhandling from a passing car
B) Looking for free samples
C) Getting his truck keys

Kamehameha Highway

We saw these and other signs that loudly proclaimed “The People United Will Never Be Defeated” and “No Development Keep the Country Country” and “New City…What A Pity! No Development.” The problem dates back to the 1880s when Lincoln McCandles and brothers arrived in the islands and began drilling artesian wells to feed the sugar industry and in the process amassed considerable land holdings. Fast forward to 1974, when his daughter attempted to to urbanize 1,337 acres in Waiahole and Waikane Valleys with local developer, Joe Pao who promised affordable housing with his “New City” development. Sounds familiar? Massive protests erupted and was temporarily simmered when the State purchased 795 acres in Waiahole Valley to manage the land. Fast forward to 1987, when the Housing Finance and Development Corporation was created to promote affordable housing, the predecessor to today’s Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corporation. The HHFDC claims they are running a deficit managing the water resources and below market rents for the approximately 100 valley residents and must raise rents to stay solvent. Both sides have retained lawyers and are slugging it out in court. Who will win? Most certainly, the side with deep and corrupt pockets will prevail against the residents.

Kualoa Ranch

Entering the cattle ranch and tourist attraction that sits on over 4,000 acres. This valley was considered sacred to ancient Hawaiians and was purchased by Dr. Judd from King Kamehameha III for the sum of $1,300 in 1850. That would be $50,560 in today’s money.

Kamehameha Highway

Passing through the often seen Coral Kingdom Shop & Restaurant but never visited.

Kamehameha Highway

When the traffic mirror doubles as the selfie mirror.

Kamehameha Highway

The public picking of parya (bittermelon) leaves.

Kualoa Ranch

Looking for the private tour.

Kualoa Ranch

Group photo in front of the 50′ artistic representation of Manaiakalani, Maui’s fish hook that was used to capture the sun.

Mokoli’i

Looking out towards the basaltic islet in Kaneohe Bay that was once owned by the Judd-Morgan family until the City & County of Honolulu purchased it back in the 1970s.

Chinaman’s Hat

Group photo in front of the conical shaped island. Advocates are pushing to erase the name of Chinaman’s Hat as it’s not culturally correct and politically offensive to some. But for most locals, it will always be called that.

Kualoa Sugar Mill

Wandering through the ruins of the first sugar mill built in the islands during 1863-1865. Due to lack of rainfall, the mill ceased operations in 1871 and was left exposed to the elements where it sits today.

Kamehameha Highway

Leaving the prominent Kualoa ridge behind us. I wonder if anybody has ever climbed that mountain?

Kamehameha Highway

The fish were biting today.

Kamehameha Highway

Bunker exploration. Where’s Scotty?

Kamehameha Highway

The color of death.

Kamehameha Highway

When there’s no sidewalk, one has to walk on the bridge.

Kamehameha Highway

Roadside summer snacks. Lychee was introduced to Hawaii in 1873 when Ching Chock brought the evergreen tree from China and planted it on the Afong property on the corner of Nu’uanu and School Streets.

Kamehameha Highway

Chico got his own summer snack. Free shave ice!

Ka’a’awa 7-Eleven

Motorists yielding to pedestrians. Refreshments at the convenience store that was originally named Tote’m Stores and later changed to reflect the operating hours. Time to change again?

Kamehameha Highway

No touch the girl or the golf cart?

Crouching Lion Inn

Trying to see the resemblance of the rock formation above the shuttered eatery. Originally built as the Larsen residence in 1927, it was converted to a restaurant in 1952 and closed in 2008 due to cesspool violations.

Crouching Lion Hike

Where is the trailhead?

Kamehameha Highway

Clucking like a chicken.

Kamehameha Highway

Bridge crossing.

Kahana State Park

I still haven’t found a working pay phone yet.

Kamehameha Highway

Words to live by.

Kamehameha Highway

View of Kahana Bay.

Kamehameha Highway

Swinger.

Kamehameha Highway

Walking on the road next to traffic. The Handi-vans were especially too close for comfort. I think they were looking for future customers.

Punalu’u

Group photo at the beach park. The town name means “coral dived for” or “spring dived for.”

Punalu’u

We may have walked on the wrong side of the bridges, but never jumped from them.

Punalu’u

End of the road for us. Food outside.

Punalu’u

Drinks inside. Pay inside too.

Punalu’u

Eating on the beach. Laredo preferred to sun on the beach.

Punalu’u

Quan trying to burn off her caloric intake.

Route 60

Everybody have exact change? Three dollars.

Route 60

Time to get off the bus and give the riders some relief.

Kualoa Beach Park

Happy Birthday Mari!

Kualoa Beach Park

Pinay Hat.

McDonald’s Temple Valley

Thanks Chico for the soft serve ice cream cones!

Chico’s Bar

One shot for the road.

GPS Tracks

Our fun walk covered 10.4 miles through the Windward coastline.

Photos taken by Chico Cantu, Jen Odence, Lilyn Avendano, Mari Saito, Quan Haberstroh, 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.

Decided to combine a family friendly hike with a hike to a Windward Valley today. Of course, the family didn’t show up.

Poamoho Road

We arrived in the central valley to find out that the parking next to the road is now blocked off. Glenn had to drive into town to park somewhere that was not chronic friendly and Brian ferried him back to the road. Somebody was muttering that it was my turn to watch Glenn. I didn’t get the memo.

Cow Safari

Bouncing up the road, we scattered assorted sizes of domesticated ungulates that stampeded back into the barbed wire bushes. Thankfully they were not exercising their “stand your ground” laws like on past visits.

Landscaping

Ferlino was going to town whacking off the protruding branches. This is not your back yard

Trailhead

Thanks to RJ for dropping us off at the trailhead, sorry about your truck bottoming out on several spots. Group photo left to right: Aaron, Ferlino, Naomi, Brian, Glenn, myself, Lopaka, Dale, Sean, Analyn, Anne and Chris.

Poamoho Trail

Heading off on the graded trail as the summit in the distance looked somewhat promising for spectacular views.

Poamoho Trail

The distinction between maintained and unmaintained has become somewhat blurred over the passing years due to recent trail maintenance.

Poamoho Trail

Meeting up with the fence as the clouds started to roll in at the top. Looking a lot less promising. Photo by Anne Fai.

Poamoho Trail

Analyn and Anne heading into the gulch, where the now socked in summit was a mere 15 minutes away! Photo by Sean Bingham

Cline Memorial

Seeking temporary shelter from the battering rain and wind. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Poamoho Summit

Our soggy group photo by Ferlino Carinio at the no view summit.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Board walking our way to the cabin. Photo by Chris Bautista

KST

Fencing our way to the cabin.

Poamoho Cabin

Our temporary respite from the rain showers that were sweeping the Ko’olau Mountains.

Cheap Eats

What stays at the cabin, gets eaten at the cabin. Thanks to Analyn, Anne, Chris and Ferlino for bringing the grinds and drinks. All that were missing was Guy Hagi and Augie T.

Poamoho Cabin

Our last group photo together as Aaron, Brian, Glenn and Naomi returned back down the Poamoho trail. Photo by Ferlino Carinio

KST

Setting foot on the trail mainly built for pig hunters to access the mountains.

KST

Anne jumping for joy at the gate that briefly detoured to the Leeward side. Photo by Chris Bautista

KST

Contouring on the carved trail through a copse of native loulu palm trees. Photo by Chris Bautista

Pauao Junction

Pausing briefly at the junction that goes steeply down into Kahana Valley.

KST

Looking back at the backdrop of Kahana and Ka’a’awa Valleys.

KST

The trail slowly lost some elevation as we hiked on the flank of the Ko’olau Mountain Range.

KST

We saw several of these lobelia gaudichaudii? on the lower slopes of the trail. Photo by Chris Bautista.

KST

Gaining back some of that elevation. Photo by Sean Bingham.

KST

Looking back as we soon met up with the fence against the backdrop of the cloud suspended valley views. Photo by Lopaka Hipperson.

KST

Hikers can thank the hard work of the Civilian Conservation Corps that built these trails back in the 1930’s that we still use to this day. Photo by Lopaka Hipperson.

KST

Anne about to round the bend in the fenced trail.

KST

Well, we have been hiking a little more than four hours, so perhaps it’s time to see a doctor. Perhaps he can also prescribe something for that green moss at the tip. Photo by Sean Bingham

KST

A pink ribbon on the hiking sign. Double reinforcement.

KST

Chris and Dale coming around the bend in the trail. Photo by Sean Bingham

KST

Following the trail to the next junction. Photo by Chris Bautista

Schofield-Waikane Junction

Dale fleeing from a highly invasive species that we ran across on the KST. Don’t worry Dale, he could barely get it up. Photo by Sean Bingham

Schofield-Waikane Junction

Say Orange Peel. For some, it was more than a mouthful than they could handle.

KST

Our last fleeting valley views …

KST

… before resuming our hike into the clouds.

Waikane-Waiahole Junction

Leaving the Ko’olau Summit Trail, where …

KST

… the trail soon took on a more noticeably overgrown nature. Photo by Sean Bingham

Waikane Trail

Crossing over one of the major landslides that constantly changes the trails out here.

Waikane Trail

Passing through hanging tree roots dripping with condensation.

Waikane Trail

Making our way over another major landslide. Photo by Sean Bingham

Waikane Trail

White capped mushrooms on a bed of sea green moss. Sounds like something off a menu. Now I’m hungry.

Waikane Trail

Going over another smaller landslide. Photo by Anne Fai

Waikane Trail

Picking our way through several blow downs that made us lose the trail temporarily.

Waikane Valley

Crossing the gushing Waikane Stream that once fed taro terraces.

Waikane Valley

Passing underneath another blow down.

Waikane Valley

Chris, Dale and Sean went off the beaten trail to investigate the source of the rushing water and were rewarded with this waterfall. Photo by Dale Yoshizu

Waikane Valley

Looking for pigs in all the wrong places.

Waikane Valley

How many ways can you say danger? Apparently four on this trail. The military’s legacy to this valley that condemned hundreds of acres of land due to unexploded munitions that lie scattered in the terrain.

All pau

Shake a tree and catch a papaya. Mahalo to Ritchie for picking us up in the neighborhood of barking dogs. Photo by Anne Fai

GPS Tracks

Our fun group outing covered 11.6 miles through ridges, valleys and cloud and rain soaked views; excluding the six-mile road. Post hike meal at Chao Phya Thai where the salmon melts in your mouth.

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.

Today over 30,000 people were lining up at Kapiolani Park to start The Honolulu Marathon. Marvin, Jose and myself got dropped off by Chris on Waikane Valley Road to start our own Hiking Marathon of sorts. We walked past the barking dogs and followed the explosive danger signs plastered fence into the dark valley, only to be stopped in our tracks as we came across a huge muddy landslide that had wiped out part of the trail. Jose checked it out and deemed it safe enough to walk over without sliding down into the gurgling stream below us.

Sunrise

After crossing the stream, we missed the sharp left turn to gain the Waikane trail in the dark until Jose called out and we backtracked our way. Breaking free of the valley cover, the sun was able to reach us unfiltered as we took in the sunrise from the lookout on the Waikane trail.

Contouring

Contouring our way on the Waikane trail.

Waikane terminus

Stopping at the Waikane terminus that is marked by a rusty metal stake with a pink ribbon on it.

Staring into the sun

Looking into Kahana Valley with squinty eyes. After a short break, we made another sharp left turn as we set foot on the KST in the general direction of Waiahole.

Trail clearing time!

The trail was heavily overgrown with all types of vegetation and there were many false steps on the trail for hikers not paying attention. Like me.

Waianae Mountains

It was clear enough to see the entire Waianae Mountain Range from Kaena to Mokuleia.

Kahana Valley

The prominent peak of Ohulehule rising out of the Kahana Valley floor.

Nice day on the KST

Taking a break and soaking in the views on the KST. Shortly after, the clouds rolled in and we resumed our hiking.

Big buggah

A rather large example of Lehua papa or Metrosideros rugosa, endemic to Oahu and particularly fond of making themselves home on the wet and windy ridges of the Koolaus.

Wind(less) meadow

We descended down into this meadow, expecting to battle the fierce winds that I’ve heard so much about. I guess Mother Nature was on hiatus today. Not even a puff.

Clouds rolling in

Climbing out of the meadow, we looked over the ridge to check out the cloudy views of the Windward side.

Sugi not sugoi!

We soon came to the notch and the grove of Sugi Pine Trees that signaled we were near the Waiahole Uka terminus.

The last hill

Going up the grassy hill to the Waiahole Uka terminus. The original hike was planned to end at Manana, but my stomach was having none of that and so we ended up using Waiahole as the bailout.

Waiahole Uka

Taking a break amongst all the clouds.

Climbing into the clouds

Going down Waiahole Uka is all descending. No rolling hills here. Other hikers have likened this ridge to Piliwale, with the main difference of heavy overgrowth and more taxing.

Ropes are our friends

There are a couple of steep and crumbly sections to go down, but for the most part, they are roped for assistance

.

Uluhe fern country

Marvin and Jose wading through the last half of the ridge which is covered in uluhe ferns. Not fun at all.

Until we meet again

I’m not looking forward to wading through those obnoxious ferns again. In hindsight, should have stuck it out to Manana. Oh well.

GPS Tracks

After popping out of that tangled mess of ferns, we made our way down onto the Kuolani-Waianu trail which passed through several gullies and the man-made waterfall. Jasmin was nice enough to pick us up at the trailhead which saved us a mile of walking and running into Scuba, the “guardian” of the valley. The entire hike was just shy of 11 miles, which still made it a grinder in my books.