Walk around Oahu (Diamond Head to Koko Crater)

We had just hiked over 14 miles in the mountains last weekend, so why not walk over 14 miles this weekend?

Thanks to Jasmin and Lilia for dropping us off at the fountain that only operates from 6pm to 10pm to conserve water.

Chico trying to get up close and personal with the carp fish that are prized for their varied color patterns and can fetch upwards to $20,000 per fish with the desired characteristics prized by collectors.

Ferlino playing the free reed wind instrument that was developed in Europe with origins in China. Music to our ears.

Approaching the volcanic tuff cone that is roughly 500,000 years old and was given the name Le’ahi by Hawaiians due to the mountain’s shape that resembles a tuna’s dorsal fin. It also is home to the hardest hike on the island and the ghost of Christmas past.

Double reflections.

Chico, a practicing member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, looking to get his second one in the park that used to be private beach homes.

Walking on the eroded walkway fronting the beach.

Ferlino hanging off the railing.

Two monkeys hanging in the tree in the park that was once the Dillingham home.

Passing by the red beacon that keeps wayward ships from grounding themselves on the coral reefs. The original 40′ lighthouse was built in 1898 and was later replaced by the current 55′ structure in 1917.

Watching surfers riding the waves off Le’ahi or Diamond Head.

Chico making friends on the walk.

Hiding in plane sight, is this obscure bronze plaque that commemorates Amelia Earhart’s solo flight from Hawai’i to California in 1935.

Sitting in the shadow of Diamond Head, is this small spit of a park named after a local philanthropist.

Ferlino stopping at the park that was formerly called Fort Ruger Park. It was renamed in honor of the 19 sailors and soldiers that perished in the operation that was named after a hockey team.

Defying the sit-lie rule.

Somebody else was defying as well.

Teeing off for the annual Sony Open.

It seems on this island that everybody knows each other in the hiking community.

Approaching the intersection where H1 Highway ends and Kalaniana’ole Highway starts.

Some people stump for political views, while others stump for photo opportunities.

We grabbed some happy meals with identical squishmallows at the first golden arches in Hawaii that opened back in 1968.

I heard this Lutheran Church is a popular venue for weddings.

Powered strictly by physical exercise and carbon dioxide. No stripped mopeds were abused or removed in the making of this photograph. So put your camera away mister bystander.

Mari entering the wildlife sanctuary that is also called Sand Point. The area was named after an early Portugese settler named Pico, whose name eventually became Paiko.

Looking out towards what British sailors called Diamond Hill in 1825 due to calcite crystals on the nearby beach. It was later changed to Diamond Headland and shortened to what most people call it today.

Pre-recorded message being played for our convenience. Many beach communities are being restricted by people outside of Hawai’i who want the land all to themselves and will go to great lengths and deception to keep it that way, which always results in friction between the locals and the newcomers.

“Bushwhacking” our way through the small section of forested area.

Following the sandy shoreline.

We soon ran out of dry sand to walk on and had to go barefoot to traverse the small channel.

The rest of the group getting their feet wet.

Drying our feet on driftwood with background views of Koko Crater and Koko Head.

Fishing dog.

Some jumped.

Others got carried.

Are we in Hawai’i Kai? The Hawaiian land division of Waimanalo actually ranges from Kuli’ou’ou to Keolu Hills.

Looking out into the bay that was once home to a 523 acre fishpond that spanned from Kuli’ou’ou to Portlock. The British called it King George Bay when they landed in 1786, but the name never stuck.

Crossing over the bridge that is at the mouth of the Hawaii Kai Marina that was formerly called Kuapa Pond.

Chico wooing his third one in order to enter the highest heaven as taught by the FLDS. This one just got dead flowers thrown on the side of the road. I guess we know where she stands in the hierarchy of life.

Crossing over the pedestrian bridge as we passed somebody enjoying their solitary lunch.

We stopped at Koko Marina Center for some sugar coated fried Portugese pastry. Thanks to Chico for the tasty treats.

Burning off the recently acquired calories as we walked up the hill.

The group found a red beaked bird that had flown its wings for the last time. Endemic or invasive?

Group photo at the entrance to the popular marine bay that was once the playground for Hawaiian nobility and is now limited to 720 people daily from the unrestricted highs of 10,000 visitors a day.

Leaving the Toilet Bowl as we approached views of Koko Crater and the rugged coastline.

Group photo at the popular scenic point. Is that a whale breaching offshore?

Where is the sidewalk?

Going underneath the spandrel arch bridge that was built back in 1931.

Descending down to the rugged coastline that was being battered by high surf.

Never turn your back towards the ocean.

Going through the lava tube that would spit us out back on the highway.

The girls waiting for us to come back. No venturing off the beaten path for them today.

Group photo at the Umi Mamori Jizo shrine carved out of lava rock in 1940 that was dedicated to keeping fishermen safe from the often turbulent waters.

We walked out further to explore a hole in the rocks.

Watching the sea spray shooting out of the lava tube. In 2002, Daniel Dick decided to straddle the blowhole, despite warnings from bystanders and signs, the 18 year old was thrown in the air from the geyser and fell head first into the lava tube and drowned as a result.

Marco?

No Polo from the spit of sand that is also called Cockroach Beach.

We took a group photo at the popular lookout since the geyser show stopped.

Approaching the popular bodyboarding spot known to Hawaiians as Wawamalu. The shore breaks attract bodyboarders and bodysurfers but the beach also accounts for the highest incidents of water-related spinal cord injuries on the island, earning it another nickname, “break-neck beach.” This is also President Obama’s favorite beach and the city council tried renaming the beach after him in 2014. Luckily, the move gained no traction with the public.

Somebody was not getting enough airflow to lift off. Get a motorized one pal.

Tessa checking out her haul for the day: North Face cap, Korean sunglasses and a Japanese charm.

We reached our cars at the cul-de-sac and caught the sunburst behind us.

Our longest section of the perimeter walk stretched over 14 miles with a fun group. Post hike meal at Mama Pho, the less crowded of the Vietnamese restaurants.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Chico Cantu, Ferlino Carinio, 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.

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