We decided to stay off the mountains and stick to the foothills today.

Trailhead

Met up with Akira, Allison, Deborah, Mari, Mona, Tessa in the backwoods of Waimanalo, a stones throw from The Village.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Stepping foot on the trail that was originally scouted and marked out by HTMC hiker, Richard Dick Davis.

Maunawili Demo Trail

We soon passed the junction that would have took us to the back of Olomana and countless other side trails that exist in this area.

Maunawili Demo Trail

The temptation was too great.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Just like monkeys, even horses fall from trees.

Maunawili Demo Trail

That trail was originally called Ko’olaupoko and work was started in 1991 by the Sierra Club.

Maunawili Demo Trail

The group weaving their way through the downed trees.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Climbing was not on today’s agenda.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Prisoners from OCC were recruited to help finish part of the trail in the summer of 1991. Voluntarily?

Maunawili Demo Trail

Meandering our way around the base of the the Ko’olau Mountains.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Standing in the verdant forest with a dead and twisted tree.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Winding our way in and out of multiple gullies.

Maunawili Demo Trail

No steak today. Chocolate dipped banana bread is what is on the menu.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Group photo with the three peaks of Olomana, Paku’i and Ahiki in the background.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Foraging for trail snacks on the path.

Maunawili Demo Trail

We passed the junction for the connector to Maunawili Falls and approached Maunawili Bigs, the waterfall chutes that are quite the spectacle when Mother Nature turns on the spigot.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Passing a fruitful branch of fiddlehead ferns.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Unfiltered. Straight from the tap. Lepto straight to the belly.

Maunawili Demo Trail

The trail was finished at the end of 1993 and it was renamed Maunawili Trail. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Sierra Club, OCC prisoners, Boy Scouts, Marines and volunteers that contributed to make this trail a reality.

All pau

Illustrating what next week’s hike will look like. A picture is worth a thousand words.

GPS Tracks

Our hike in the shadow of the mountains covered just shy of nine miles with a great group. Thanks to Mona’s son who picked us up and took us to Tokyo Central for our post hike meal before returning us back to our cars.

Photos taken by Allison Banks, Akira Suzuki, Deborah Tom, Mari Saito, Monaliza Guillermo, 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.

In search of a short hike to replace the aborted perimeter walk, I settled on what is commonly called Anamolo or Reverse Olomana.

Trailhead

Thanks to Lilia for dropping us off deep in Bumpy Kanahele’s Pu’uhonua o Waimanalo neighborhood.

Maunawili Ditch Trail

Walking the trail that parallels the old Kailua Ditch that was built in the 1920s to carry water from Kawainui Swamp to the canefields of Waimanalo Sugar Company. No motorcycles are allowed, but horses are permitted on this trail.

Maunawili Ditch Trail

Why are we climbing up this rooted hill when there is a perfectly good trail just a stone’s throw away? Character building.

Maunawili Ditch Trail

Scrambling up the eroded hill.

Maunawili Ditch Trail

Doing my part to keep the ‘aina clean. Hold the applause.

Olomana Ridge

I think I may have been unwittingly sucked into this bizarre finger pointing cult. Where is Scientology when you need them?

Olomana Ridge

One person on the rope at a time. Hold your horses.

Ahiki

We arrived at the base of the backdoor to Three Peaks to begin our ascent.

Ahiki

Chico climbing his way up between a rock and a tree. At least, it’s not a hard place.

Ahiki

Amber threading her way through the profusion of ropes and webbing that draped this cliff section.

Ahiki

Climbing my way up with the fluted ridges of the KST in the background.

Ahiki

Aileen making her way up.

Ahiki

Mona climbing up the cracked rocks.

Ahiki

Rose used her freakishly long arms to her climbing advantage.

Ahiki

Contouring our way around the gap in the rocks.

Ahiki

Climbing queue.

Ahiki

Chico left his heart in Olomana. OMG. The cult thing.

Ahiki

Eye in the sky.

Ahiki

Amber going up the notorious pipe ladder that unfortunately claimed a life back in April 2022. We met two kids at the top who had second thoughts about going down the ladder and wisely decided to turn around.

Ahiki

Ladders? I don’t need no stinkin’ ladders! Especially when I have these freakishly long arms.

Ahiki

Group picture at the top where one needs to keep their arms close to their sides and don’t be chasing after ball caps.

Ahiki

Leaving the third peak for the other two peaks. One can see why the Hawaiians called these three peaks “divided hill.”

Ahiki

I briefly entertained the foolish notion of scrambling down the side of the cliff to check out a puka, but retreated. Otherwise, I would have probably ended up with a puka in my head.

Ahiki

Dropping down to the iconic rock formation.

Keyhole

That’s one way of going through the hole.

Keyhole

Are we taking the scenic or climbing route? Rhetorical question.

Keyhole

Hey, this rock moves!

Keyhole

This other rock moves too!

Keyhole

Let’s make like a rock and roll!

Keyhole

Drone down! We scrambled down a bit in a futile attempt to recover Chico’s Skydio drone that crashed into the woods below us. We soon gave up just as how the company gave up on their consumer production line. Update: Chico was able to find and recover his drone several weeks later.

Paku’i

Climbing our way up to the second peak.

Paku’i

The knife edge view of the third peak behind us.

Paku’i

We ran into Andre and his friend coming from the opposite direction.

Paku’i

No hammock. No problem. Webbing is like duct tape in the hiking world. Flossing the cracks.

Paku’i

The rest of the group making their way down the sheeted and stepped rocks.

Paku’i

We ran into Aida and her friends also coming from the opposite direction. Small world.

Olomana

Decided to check out a side “trail.” Fools rush in where other hikers are smart not to tread. A paraphrase of a popular saying.

Olomana

Pushing myself up.

Olomana

I bet somebody was glad that I didn’t leave my webbing hammock behind.

Olomana

Mona with the background view of the second and third peaks.

Olomana

Group photo at the top of Olomana, the peak with the all around scenic views. Not to mention, crowds of people wanting to share that view with you.

Olomana

Mingling with other hikers as we dropped off the first peak.

Olomana

Everybody chose their own path down the rocks.

Olomana

Dealing with these pesky ropes as they could be potential tripping hazards. It would help if I had freakishly long arms.

Olomana

Mona climbing her way down the last rockface and then the group either walked, ran or got lost on the trail. Depends who you talked to.

All pau

If Rose falls, does it count? Or does it have to be capitalized? Thanks to Lilia for picking us up. Fun hike up and over the erosional remnant from within the caldera of the Ko’olau Shield Volcano.

Post hike meal at Genki Sushi, where the table talk was extra loud, extra spicy and extra special.

Photos taken by Aileen Agustin, Amber Fonte, Chico Cantu, Monaliza Guillermo, Rose Mathis 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 started off the New Year with a trail I have never hiked in its entirety.

Trailhead

Thanks to Cinja and Kathleen for dropping Aida, Edgar, Lilyn, Marilyn, Quan, Roseann, Tessa and myself off at the hairpin turn off the Pali Highway.

Olinda relative

Sighting of a feral cat possibly mistaken for a black jaguar under shadowy circumstances. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Passing the junction to the Pali Lookout.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Determining the quality of the tank water.

Maunawili Demo Trail

The trail intermittently breaking out of the canopied forest with exposed views of the Ko’olau Mountains.

Maunawili Demo Trail

We heard disembodied voices floating from the top which we later found out belonged to two friends, Bill and Shirley.

Maunawili Demo Trail

The group may have been physically separated on the trail at times but was always connected through the loud carrying voices of certain individuals.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Roseann looking at the dry waterfall chutes. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Rounding the bend on the mostly wide trail. A marked departure from the trails that we usually hike. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Maunawili Falls Connector

Another way to access the popular Maunawili Falls since the subdivision trailhead was shut down this past July for two years. We just decided to enjoy the views of Olomana. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Skydio

Follow me if you can. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Passing some questionable but colorful mushrooms on the trail.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Hiking through the large ferns that dotted the trail that used to be known as the Ko’olaupoko Trail. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Foot Locker

Somebody needed a longer shoe. Lost in translation.

Skydio

The drone propwash was providing the only breeze on the trail today.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Do not try this at home. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Two falls for the price of one. Caught on camera. Priceless. For a certain schadenfreude person. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Making our way on the foothill hike pioneered by the legendary hiker, Richard Davis and completed by the Sierra Club. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Maunawili Demo Trail

I swore the discharge volume increased after somebody sat on the rock.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Posing on unstable and rotten trees. The only excitement found on the trail today.

Maunawili Demo Trail

The rooting wall, a distant relative of the weeping wall. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Sitting on one of many downed trees on the trail. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Why are we doing this? For the director’s cut.

Maunawili Demo Trail

I’m glad we didn’t decide to practice our equestrian skills today. Group photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Maunawili Demo Trail

To touch or not to touch? Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Expanding views of Maunawili Valley, Waimanalo, Ko’olau Mountains and Manana Island. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Maunawili Demo Trail

All flower and no fruit.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Passing another junction on our way down.

All pau

We met another fellow hiker, Bob Tyson at the exit to Waimanalo where Roseann also met her boyfriend’s cousin who gave her a ride back to the house, which helped to not increase our mileage for the day.

GPS Tracks

Our mostly flat hike that contoured the base of the Ko’olau Mountains came out to a little over nine miles with fun company. Post hike meal at Big City Diner where the photo taking service exceeded the food delivery service.

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our Maunawili Demo Hike.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNpnXR6Y-Sk

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.

We didn’t have any pumpkins to carve or candy to give out, so we went exploring around the island today.

Times Coffee Shop

Met up with Aida, Art, Ferlino, Lilyn, Marilyn, Quan and Tessa at the restaurant not associated with the supermarket and waited for our table while chickens, ducks and native birds mingled outside.

Waimanalo

Quan doing what she does best. Not quite sure what that is. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waimanalo

Met up with this nana baket that was either trying to water the water or feed the fishes. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waimanalo

Standing on a historic turtle pond that used to feed Hawaiian chiefs. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waimanalo

Art trying to peek over the wall and get a look at the sprawling three acre estate that will include three homes, two pools and a guard post. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waimanalo

Ferlino jumping off the seawall that is being allowed to further erode the beach. If you have $61,400 and your last name is Obama, you too can get a 55 year easement.

Waimanalo

Postcard perfect. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waimanalo

Not approved. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Waimanalo

Approved. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Waimanalo

Is the tree or the group leaning? Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Makai Pier

Enjoying the unobstructed view underneath the concrete pier built in 1973. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Makai Pier

This spot is popular with fishermen, divers and apparently cartwheelers. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Makai Pier

Trying to find the fulcrum on a piece of driftwood. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Hawaii Kai Graffiti

Entering the man-made structures where it seems that almost every square inch are covered with colorful graffiti. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Hawaii Kai Graffiti

Art walking through the rubble strewn painted corridor. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Hawaii Kai Graffiti

Trick or treat. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Hawaii Kai Graffiti

Looking up at one of the ventilation shafts. Mother Nature is reclaiming her territory. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Hawaii Kai Graffiti

Wondering if my tetanus shots are up to date. Photo by Art Young.

Hawaii Kai Graffiti

Aida contemplating if reanimated corpses really do exist or if the sign is fake. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Hawaii Kai Graffiti

Yes, Virginia there are zombies or somebody just didn’t get enough sleep. Photo by Art Young.

Hawaii Kai Graffiti

Walking through a thicket of trees to reach the other defaced buildings. Photo by Art Young.

Hawaii Kai Graffiti

Passing resemblance? Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Hawaii Kai Graffiti

Dentist at work. Photo by Art Young.

Hawaii Kai Graffiti

Relax, I’m a Doctor. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Hawaii Kai Graffiti

Only one person had good manners and didn’t point fingers. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Hawaii Kai Graffiti

Show me the money! Say it back!

Hawaii Kai Graffiti

What a big mouth you have! Look who’s talking! Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Hawaii Kai Graffiti

It puts the lotion in the basket, or it gets the hose again.

Hawaii Kai Graffiti

One has to wonder what purpose these structures served? Military? Civilian? Extra-terrestrial? Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Hawaii Kai Graffiti

Ferlino hanging by his fingertips. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Hawaii Kai Graffiti

Walking our way out through the semi-light filled corridor.

Hawaii Kai Graffiti

The blasting furnace heat on our way out made some people walk faster and others not walk at all. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Teddy’s Bigger Burgers

Dressing up as hikers doesn’t get you any free candy around here. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Spitting Caves

Walking our way down through the low rent section of the island. Photo by Art Young.

Spitting Caves

Looking out at the largest and deepest ocean on the planet and the hardest hike on the island as well.

Spitting Caves

Making our way down to the cave. Photo by Art Young.

Spitting Caves

What happened to three points of contact?

Spitting Caves

I guess that went out the window. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Spitting Caves

The rest of the group watched us from the top in case we got washed out to sea. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Spitting Caves

Sunlight hitting the salt water droplets at a 42 degree angle. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Spitting Caves

The regurgitated water coming out of the cave erased the rainbow with a loud burp. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Spitting Caves

We were waiting for more rainbows when this kid fell out of the sky and landed with a big splash. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Spitting Caves

He took the most direct route back up. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Spitting Caves

We saw several snorkelers and swimmers offshore.

Spitting Caves

Basking in the scenic views of the curved cliffs and blue-green waters. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

All pau

We witnessed an evolutionary miracle when the refugee from the Planet of the Apes first took to bipedalism. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Mahalo to Ferlino for driving us around the island. A trick cut our hike short which worked out as Ferlino’s van decided to quit working. Luckily a mechanic was on site. Post hike meal where the personal servant got the bucket of fried chicken for our caloric consumption.

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.

Like a gullible fool, I believed the weather forecast for a stormy day and passed on the pass. What can I say? I went to public school.

808randomhikes

Aida, Art, Cathy, Cisco, Edgar, Lilyn, Quan, Sally, Tessa and myself met up on the Windward side to figure out how to fit 10 people into two cars, so that we could carpool around the island. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Maunawili

Our first stop was at the land of discarded shoes. Art diving into the sign as he takes the directions literally. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Maunawili

When a tree falls in the forest … Photo by Art Young.

Maunawili

… it’s much easier to climb it horizontal than vertical. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Maunawili

Walking under the forest canopy. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Maunawili

Touring the abandoned Boyd estate built in 1869.

Maunawili

The home has seen better days since being left to rot back in 1985 and used by B-Listers to re-enact Halloween stories.

Maunawili

The graffiti has run rampant throughout the decaying structure.

Maunawili

Sometimes they come back.

Maunawili

Will the real Queen please take a bath.

Maunawili

Weight capacity has been reached. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Maunawili

See vine. Swing on vine. See vine snap. See idiot fall down. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Maunawili

A colony of fairy inkcaps colonizing the neighborhood. Photo by Art Young.

Maunawili

On the way out, some of us had to answer the call of nature and attempt grade school calisthenics.

Waimanalo

Peeping into a slice of Middle Earth smack dab in the land of potable water. No open house for the hobbit house.

Waimanalo

Let’s see, 3.75 million divided by 10 comes out to empty your bank accounts and take a second job.

Laie

We drove to the land of the Mormons for our next exploration out on the spit of land that juts into the ocean. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Laie

Group photo with some of the five islands in the background that represent the remnants of the giant lizard that was slayed and chopped up by Kana in Hawaiian mythology.

Laie

Playing in the sharp and jagged rocks.

Laie

Deja vu. Lonely. I am Miss Lonely. I have nobody. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Laie

Trying to touch the ocean without getting wet or cut. We left the parking lot where somebody combined a compliment with laziness.

Kahuku

Missed opportunities for some. Lunch time for everybody.

Kahuku

Somebody was so hungry that a dozen garlic smothered shrimp was not enough and had to order another garlic drenched hot dog to top it off.

Waiale’e

We continued our circle island drive and stopped short of Sunset Beach to explore another abandoned building. How many hikers have disappeared here since 1916? Photo by Aida Gordon.

Waiale’e

Walking around the paint splashed ruins.

Waiale’e

Lilyn and Quan playing the instrumentals to their favorite song, “Hold on tight to your dreams.” Photo by Sally Chow.

Waiale’e

Climbing up the tree to see where the noise was coming from. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Waiale’e

The noise was coming from kids playing around in a custom built concrete skate park. Pretty cool.

Waiale’e

When one has a lot of energy, one expends it by climbing up the walls.

Waiale’e

A driver’s worst nightmare. Having a backseat driver and a slow driver in front of them. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiale’e

Quan climbing the twisted base to go out on a limb.

Waiale’e

Tree squatters.

Waiale’e

When you try to go fishing with a leaky bucket. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiale’e

Somebody was trying to goad me into going further out on a limb. Just hoping for a splash. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Waiale’e

Testing out the seaworthiness before taking our leave of the area. Photo by Sally Chow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGN9n9hISDw

Video by Edgar Gamiao.

Haleiwa

We got treated to free ice cream courtesy of Aida in the bustling art and surf town. Mahalo!

Pearl City

Getting lost in the Mad Max world of abandoned cars and boats and C&C workers cutting grass with equipment that doesn’t work.

Pearl City

We soon found our bearings and got back on the right track. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Pearl City

A bridge too far.

Pearl City

Entering the walled compound of abandoned buildings and stripped cars.

Pearl City

Checking out the first building in the sprawl that used to be a waste water treatment plant.

Pearl City

The rest of the group catching up to us. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Pearl City

Checking out the used car lot.

Pearl City

Edgar climbing up the steps to the second floor.

Pearl City

Looking down into the first floor.

Pearl City

Shitty reflecting pool. Photo by Art Young.

Pearl City

Checking out topside.

Pearl City

Sally going back down. Photo by Art Young.

Pearl City

We kept ourselves easily amused with what we had on hand.

Pearl City

Checking out one of the tanks.

Pearl City

Art dancing through the bushes. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Pearl City

We made our own AAA to get Lilyn’s car out of the muddy rut. It was either that or catch the bus. I didn’t have exact change.

Pearl City

Inside and outside riding through the muddy waters.

https://youtu.be/AOOGWnTKHOQ

Video by Edgar Gamiao.

Pali

Waiting for the #60 bus to take us to our last place on the list. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Pali

Entering the Indian murals ruins. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Pali

Life imitating art.

Pali

Our last group photo of the day left to right: Edgar, Art, Lilyn, Cathy, Aida, myself, Tessa, Sally, Cisco and Quan.

All pau

Siri, where am I? Hello? Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRif6fP5d0s

Video by Edgar Gamiao.

That concluded our scheduled program of exploring abandoned places and eating all day. Fun times with good friends. Special thanks to Edgar and Lilyn for being our tour drivers all day.

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.

Having done Olomana many times warmed over, I decided to just do the most challenging section with Katie today and skip the front part. Thanks to Lilyn for dropping us off deep in Waimanalo country. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Trailhead

Starting on the foothill hike that was carved out by Dick Davis and goes all the way to the Pali Lookout. We were doing the abbreviated version today.

Maunawili Ditch Trail

Turning a right at the junction.

Maunawili Ditch Trail

Katie poking for Groot.

Maunawili Ditch Trail

Climbing out of the trail to gain the ridge line.

Aniani Nui Ridge Trail

Katie pulling herself up on one of the steeper parts of the trail.

Aniani Nui Ridge Trail

Mother Nature wasn’t looking too inviting, but Katie wanted to crash the party. So off we went.

Aniani Nui Ridge Trail

If a hiker falls in a forest and no one is around to see it, did it happen? Photographic proof by Katie Bingham.

Aniani Nui Ridge Trail

Pulling ourselves to the base of the peak.

Ahiki

Katie bouncing on the elastic rope as she makes her way up the first climb.

Ahiki

Pulling myself up and getting temporarily stuck under the branch. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Ahiki

Katie trying her best not to get stuck as well.

Ahiki

Cliffs in the camera are steeper than they appear. Photo by Katie Bingham

Ahiki

Katie scrambling her way to the top of the rock pile.

Ahiki

Climbing up the steepest section. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Ahiki

Looking for that hand hold.

Ahiki

Taking in the cloudy views. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Ahiki

Contouring and climbing between the rocks.

Ahiki

Taking in the clear views of Waimanalo.

Ahiki

Stretching before the hike. Oh wait. A day late and a dollar short. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Ahiki Summit

Group pic on the summit that was named after Chief Olomana’s favorite headman.

Olomana

Traversing between the divided hill with the peaks of Paku’i and Olomana directly ahead of us.

Olomana

Climbing down from the third peak. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Keyhole

Somebody was blocking the hole.

Keyhole

Bottom views.

Keyhole

Top views.

Olomana

Going back to the third peak.

Ahiki

Katie coming down one wobbly step at a time.

Ahiki

Shaka for Sunday. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Ahiki

Katie stepping her way down.

Ahiki

Who’s going to retrieve the webbing?

Ahiki

Trying not to get stuck on the way down. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Ahiki

Katie making her way down the last climb of the day.

Aniani Nui Ridge

Following the barbed wire fence on our way out.

Aniani Nui Ridge

We came from there.

All pau

We ended our short and sweet hike right back where we started from. Thanks to Lilyn and Quan for picking us up. Post hike meal at Pampanga, can’t get enough of their Chicken Papaya. We also saw one of Jerry’s kids and witnessed a fleeing shoplifter who left part of their stolen loot on the sidewalk.

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.

Met up with some friends to hike a trail that I last did over seven years ago. Decided to eschew going up the front side as it was too pedestrian and clogged with other hikers. Back side it is. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Waimanalo

Shout out to Jasmin and Matt for shuttling our rather large group to the trailhead that was within spitting distance of Bumpy Kanahele’s, Pu‘uhonua o Waimanalo. Group photo left to right: Ferlino, Lilyn, Chris, Sally, Aida, Edgar, Analyn, myself, Tesssa, Cisco, Anne, Jasmin, Matt, Janell and Art.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Left or right? Choose wisely. Or just check the GPS tracks.

Maunawili Demo Trail

We were startled by Casper, the exotic pinay on the trail.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Walking in the foothills of the Ko’olau Mountains. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Staying on the twisted trail.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Passing through a semi-gated section of the trail.

Cheeky

One was more phat than the other.

Woody

The making of Groot. Baby shower in 12 weeks. Photo by Janell Tuttle.

Yellow Heleconia

What? Take a picture. It’ll last longer. After admiring the local flora, we found out that we overshot the trail and had to double back to the gate.

Maunawili Demo Trail

Climbing our way to the ridge line. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Waimanalo

Passing the barbed wire fence that possibly harked back to the days that cattle roamed the valley. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Skeleton Leaf

The group passing by the exposed leaf. Somebody once said it was like finding a four leaf clover or seeing a double rainbow. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Waimanalo

Lilyn climbing up the short and steep hill. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Waimanalo

We broke out of the tree line to panoramic views of the land of potable water. Photo by Sally Chow.

Waimanalo

Plunging back into the tree line where Chris and Ferlino took to the trees. I took to the trail. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ahiki

Approaching the backside of Ahiki.

Ahiki

Janell’s climbing concentration was interrupted by a cacophony of laughter and loudness emanating from the forest. Even the birds were complaining about the “competition.”

3 yawyaw pinays

The source of the laughter and loudness. Captured in a rare moment of silence. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Ahiki

Matt climbing up against the background of Aniani Nui ridge that connected to the Ko’olau Mountains. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ahiki

Cisco in the climbing queue as we put down webbing in some spots for those that desired the additional assurance. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ahiki

Edgar and Lilyn thinking this is a piece of cake. With icing on top. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ahiki

Janell climbing up the steepest section of the rock face as Cisco spots her from below. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ahiki

It’s always Flag Day in the mountains with Ferlino. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Ahiki

Waiting my turn so I don’t get pelted by rocks from above. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ahiki

Cisco making his way up. I felt sorry for the couple that was stuck behind our 14 person group, but I heard they took advantage of our webbing. So win-win for everybody involved. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ahiki

Janell waiting for her turn to go up. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ahiki

Aida living life on the edge. Not taking up too much space. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

How high?

If it’s not a jump shot in the mountains, it’s a butt grab. Must be a girl thing.

Ahiki Anchor

Holding the ladder steady as the group climbed their way to the top. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ahiki

Art wearing the latest fashion climbing accessory around his neck – yellow webbing.

Ahiki

Tessa near the top of the summit.

Ahiki

Panoramic photo of Waimanalo and Kailua by Sally Chow.

Ahiki

How many hikers can fit on the postage stamp sized summit of Ahiki? Apparently 14 with a little room to spare. Group photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Ahiki

Leaving the summit after our lunch break. Photo by Art Young.

Ahiki

The group descending from the summit of Ahiki.

Ahiki

Making my way down the somewhat narrow trail. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Ahiki

Somebody was not using three points of contact. Photo by Tesssa Bugay.

Keyhole

Lilyn climbing her way down to the keyhole. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ahiki

Chris spotting Aida as she comes down.

Keyhole

The chunk of real estate that required a lot of photo shoots. Thankfully drizzling rain cut it short.

Ahiki

Climbing down from the third peak. Photo by Edgar Gamiao.

Paku’i

Anne and Sally climbing up the rocky hill.

Paku’i

Sally with the razor thin peak in the background.

Paku’i

Chris carefully climbing up the section that probably accounts for most of the accidents on this trail.

Paku’i

Janell coming up the most photographed tree framed approach. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Paku’i

Cisco relaxing while he waits for the rest of the group to catch up from their photo shoots.

Paku’i

Leaving the keeper of the ponds summit. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Olomana

The rest of the group approaching the first peak of the divided hill. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Olomana

Thanks to everybody for another rousing rendition of getting older. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Olomana

Matt droning us at the 1,643′ summit.

Olomana

Leaving the top as it was getting inundated with other hikers wishing to experience the three peaks or at least one of them. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Olomana

Ascending hikers yielding to descending hikers. Photo by Art Young.

Olomana

Cisco making his way down the last main rock face.

Maunawili

The group coming down the rooted and rutted trail under thick tree canopy.

Tarzan

Matt testing out the load capacity on the aerial roots. I guess he doesn’t need to go on a diet. Photo by Aida Gordon.

All pau

Thanks to Jasmin for picking up our large group from the Royal Hawaiian Golf Club grounds.

Post hike meal

We all had front row seats to the Hawaii audition for Dancing with the Hikers. Chris Chun and Somphet also joined us with plates of Spicy Pork and Oxtail Soup. Thanks to everybody for contributing to the potluck spread that was our post hike meal.

GPS Tracks

Our short jaunt on the erosional remnant from the Ko’olau Mountains covered roughly 3.3 miles through panoramic scenery with fun company and good times.

Video by Matt Vidaurri of our Anamolo hike.

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our Anamolo hike.

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.

Met up with Chris, Justin, Ryan and Thessa to loop the Bear Claw ridges. Many thanks to Bob for letting us park at the ranch. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trailhead

No canned messages greeted us this morning.

Trailhead

We didn’t run across any HECO workers as well.

Left Fork

The climbing begins. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Left Fork

Making my way up the pipe section. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Left Fork

Hello there.

Left Fork

Ryan scrambling up. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Left Fork

Those trees sure do come in handy.

Junction

Left meets Right. Panoramic view from the top.

Bear Claw Ridge

Mushroom rock. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Bear Claw Ridge

Straight to the summit.

Bear Claw Ridge

To the left, to the right, now kick, hike it by yourself. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Bear Claw Ridge

Group photo by Justin Hirako, top to bottom: Ryan, Chris, myself, Thessa and Justin.

Bear Claw Ridge

Ryan about to climb a section, where another long respected hiker fell to his death.

Bear Claw Ridge

Ryan at the top of the section. We still have to do something about the constant selfie problem on the ridges.

Bear Claw Ridge

Ryan coming over the ridge.

Bear Claw Ridge

Trying to outrace the clouds.

Bear Claw Ridge

Almost there.

Bear Claw Ridge

Climbing to the summit. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Bear Claw Summit

Memorial to Les Merrell whose life was tragically cut short on this ridge.

Bear Claw Summit

Group photo by Justin Hirako.

Bear Claw Ridge

Going back down the ridge to spoon the other fork. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Bear Claw Ridge

The crew making their way down the somewhat steep section of the ridge.

Bear Claw Ridge

Okay, how do I get down? Photo by Justin Hirako.

Bear Claw Ridge

Contouring and climbing the ridge on our way down.

Bear Claw Ridge

Hikers, Ryan and Thessa, spotted on the ridge. Photo by Jake Kunuku.

Junction

Enjoying the views and the company. Photo by Ryan Leano.

Right Fork

Top view. Photo by Ryan Leano.

Right Fork

Bottom view.

Right Fork

Chris about to climb down and swing over.

Right Fork

Thessa making her way down.

Right Fork

Ryan dropping down the ridge. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Right Fork

The rest of the ridge down was marked by heavy overgrowth and rocky sections.

Waimanalo

Hear that? That’s the Doberman dogs that Bob warned us about. So what’s the plan? Photo by Justin Hirako.

Who let the dogs out?

We came down from the mountain and of all the places that we could cross, was the farm that the dogs called home. One of them came right up to me. Nice doggy. Hey, where did everybody go? Luckily the owner was on site and had the dogs under control. No rabies shot for me.

All pau

Beers in a cooler. Thanks Bob. Cars still intact. Thanks Bob. What more could one ask for after a hike?

GPS Tracks

Our 2.8 mile loop hike was filled with stellar views, rocky climbs and good fun all around. Post hike meal at Outback’s. Seems they always seat us at the same table. Perhaps this is where they put smelly and disheveled people that pass themselves off as hikers?

Note: I have been made aware the 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.

We picked up where we left off from a prior hike that was interrupted by the rain and strawberry season. Nice to be back in the islands.

Trailhead

Picked up Jose in Waimanalo and we started deep in an East Oahu Valley.

Popular trail

Short, sweet and steep. This trail has become more popular based on the numerous fluttering flags on the branches.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image of Hahaione Valley and her surrounding ridges.

Almost to the top

Jose within spitting distance of the summit.

Overhang

Hanging onto the views. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Pyramid Rock

Jose and myself at the 1,566′ summit. The winds were blowing today. Hard.

Cross over

Climbing down the pyramid rock.

Hike like an Egyptian

See the resemblance? The rock, not the hiker.

Wrong ridge

The ridge going down soon dropped off sharply. Is this the right ridge?

Right ridge

That ridge looks promising, never mind the steep drops. It has pine trees!

Back up

Jose climbing back up. Part of hiking, sometimes you get lost and have to backtrack.

Back on the cross over

Brief walk on the Ko’olaus.

Scouting

We over shot the ridge again due to all the overgrowth and spotted the ridge to our left. Got our bearings straight.

Hahaione Windward

Crawling and ducking underneath the low hanging branches. Any lower and we would have been with the slugs and snails.

Hang on

Jose contouring around a stand of pine trees that were blocking the ridge.

Look familiar?

Looking at the ridge with the steep drop off we had been on earlier.

Trees

Weaving in and out of the trunks and branches. Pays to be skinny sometimes.

Ridge line

Back on the exposed ridge.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Looking back

I was mildly surprised at how relatively easy this Windward ridge was so far. Spoke too soon?

Pine needles

Slip and slide.

Beverage break

Replenishing my electrolytes before the hardest obstacle.

On belay?

Does the webbing reach to the bottom?

Belay on

Time to find out. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Hug the rocks

A Go Pro view.

Come on down

Jose making his way down the 60′ cliff.

Mother Earth

The hard parts were over, time to go home.

Flagged trail

Beating the bushes, we made our way down.

Follow the power lines

We followed the cleared firebreak underneath the power lines to connect to the Tom-Tom trail.

Fore!

Stepping over and around to avoid the hundreds of golf balls that littered the ground, as we picked our way through the neighborhood’s private driving range. Half expected to duck an errant golf ball coming our way.

All pau

We popped out at the end of the Tom-Tom trail and saw no signs of loose dogs, only fenced dogs. Good boys and girls!

GPS Tracks

The welcome back to Hawaii hike covered 4.36 miles of mountains and ridges. Post hike meal at Greek Marina. Kali Oreksi! Did I say that right?