Walk around Oahu (Waimanalo Beach to Koko Marina)

Due to popular demand, does two people count? The perimeter walk around the island was re-started. Clockwise.

Mahalo to Ferlino who picked up Aida, Akira, Mari, Robin, Tessa and myself from Taco Bell and shuttled us to the area that was probably one of the first spots on the island explored by Polynesians, where Dave and Susan were waiting to round out the group.

Walking into the blinding sun, better than driving.

The group trying to catch a glimpse of the turtle in the water.

Hello? We are waiting for our Presidential Letter of Appreciation. Hello?

Walking past the dead chicken as we made our way down the beach transit corridor.

High tide.

Look who caught up with us after catching the sunrise at Koko Crater.

Metaphorically speaking we are all just pawns in the game of life.

Chris texting a photo to the State DOT Highways Division.

Transitioning from asphalt to sand as we made our way to the facility built by the State in the 1960s to support marine research.

Group photo underneath the 600′ long pier.

Group photo against the Windward backdrop.

The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. I’m not sure that includes adding rocks to a plastic package to make it something that it is not.

I think somebody was not too happy that Chris was taking over his side hustle.

Looking out towards the seabird sanctuary that was once actually inhabited by rabbits in the 1880s after it was introduced by John Cummins, owner of Waimanalo Plantation, as a hobby as he didn’t want them to damage his sugarcane crops. Instead they destroyed the ecosystem on the island and were removed in the 1970s.

Ferlino jumping over an rock enclosure that was humming with activity.

Back on the highway.

Somebody was having a bad hair day. Let’s make it right with a hairbrush from the highway.

Don’t drink and hike.

Just hanging out.

Leaving the scenic lookout for climbing pastures.

We climbed past WW2 pillboxes embedded in the lava landscape as we made our way up.

Akira climbing in the footsteps of Alex Honnold. Baby Honnold.

Looking out towards Rabbit (Manana) Island. In 1904, it was one of the spots being considered for the lighthouse that would later be built at Makapuu Point.

Forced perspective.

Chris and Ferlino decided to go off-trail.

Partial group photo at the top of the lookout.

Taking the most direct route down. Is this where the KST ends or begins? Inquiring minds want to know.

Should I go this way or that way?

Selfie with the navigational aid that sits on the most southeastern point on the island.

David and Susan climbing their way down to more level footing.

Ferlino away from the crowds on the trail.

Susan behind the barrier whose origins date back to WW1.

Group photo of the 46′ tall lighthouse that was built in 1909 and fully automated in 1974. Thanks to the USCG “Coastie” who happened to intersect with our group.

Looking back at the concrete tower that houses the largest hyperradiant lens in the country. When the lighthouse was finished in 1908, the lens had to be hauled up piece by piece with block and tackle from a ship down below as the road had not yet been built.

An aerial view of the site in 1959 when the lighthouse was operated by the USCG until 1974. This area was used by Federal marshals to protect witnesses who were testifying against local crime boss, Wilford “Nappy” Pulawa during 1974-1975. He was sent to a mainland prison for two years on tax evasion. Same way they got Al Capone. Don’t mess with the IRS. In 1987, Dennis “Bumpy” Kanahele occupied the area and was later evicted after a standoff with HPD SWAT. The State later razed all the dwellings except for the still standing oil house. The same Bumpy Kanahele who would go on to occupy Makapuu Beach in 1993 for over a year before Governor Waihee hammered a deal that gave Kanahele and his group 45 acres above Waimanalo in exchange for ending his occupation. Photo by the USCG.

Some folks need to get with the program.

Going off the beaten path.

Approaching the rock formation called Kapaliokamoa or cliff of the chicken as we made our way down the rocky trail.

Climbing up against gravity.

It’s called a chair for a reason.

Partial group photo on top of the volcanic rock that bears a passing resemblance to a chair that was the last seat of Pele, volcano goddess, before she left the island.

Going with the flow of gravity.

Robin was the only one who decided to test out the waters.

The group descending down to the secluded Kaho’ohaihai Inlet, before rambling off into the dry grassy fields.

Balancing on the bridge over Kaloko Inlet. Best when medicated.

Leaving the trail as we made our way back onto the highway.

The group taking a much needed sugar break from the punishing sun.

Culvert view.

There was a map of the island which would come in handy if we were lacking a book, AllTrails or critical thinking.

Looking down into the small protected bay also known as Cockroach Cove and Eternity Beach.

Akira standing next to the Japanese Fishing Shrine that was erected in 1940 to “protect” local fishermen. It was eventually “taken over” by Vietnamese Buddhists in 2007 who keep up the place and leave food and flower offerings.

Puka view.

Looking out towards Halona Blowhole. She wasn’t spouting today.

360 degree perspective.

Walking on the narrow shoulder as we walked into incoming traffic with only inches of asphalt separating us.

Chris and Ferlino decided to explore a bridge nearby.

Graffiti galore.

The majority of bridges in this area was built in the 1930s.

Mari next to the entrance of one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island. The park is now regulated and restricted to 720 guests a day, down from its highs of 3,000 to 10,000 visitors a day.

I think your safety check is expired.

We ended our hike in the parking lot at Taco Bell. Thanks to Robin for dropping everybody back at Waimanalo Beach.

Our re-started perimeter walk covered 9.8 miles with a fun group. Post hike meal at Greek Marina. It’s all Greek to me.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, David and Susan Katz, Ferlino Carinio, Mari Saito, Robin Farr, 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.

Tagged as: bamboo ridge, halona blowhole, hanauma bay, japanese fishing shrine, kaiwi shoreline, kalanianaole highway, makai pier, makapu'u lighthouse, makapuu beach, makapuu lookout, pele's chair, sandy beach, waimanalo beach park