In search of a relatively “easy” welcome back home, we settled on what was named Waimanalo 1/2 Ramble which took us to Lualualei Lookout in the end. Thanks to Susan for the beta and suggestion. Met up at Waianae Steve’s house where he graciously allowed us to park outside his house and Jasmin was nice enough to shuttle our group consisting of Aida, Akira, Allison, Ferlino, Mari, Tessa and myself to Ka’ala trailhead.

Trailhead

We avoided the canine landmines that were left behind as we made our way around the gate.

Waianae Kaala Road

The trail was easily missed by us as we blinked our eyes and had to backtrack a couple dozen feet.

Waianae Ramble

Scrambling through the dry grassland punctuated by assorted boulders and hale koa trees.

Waianae Ramble

Breaching the rock wall through the opening.

Waianae Ramble

Following the jeep road through the towering fields of dry grass.

Waianae Ramble

Ferlino enjoying his perch at the junction that has multiple destinations. We were just interested in one.

Waianae Ramble

Descending down the trail as we followed the blue-colored bottle caps, which means the Waianae Waterworks Trail. All these colored bottle caps was pioneered by Waianae Steve.

Waianae Ramble

Crossing the Kanewai Ditch whose flowing water was restored by UH students back in 1980. A lo’i kalo (taro patch) was nearby that seemed to be thriving.

Waianae Ramble

Following the blue arrow as we started our climb up the trail after the stream crossing.

Waianae Ramble

Two monkeys in a tree. Where’s Chico as you would have three of them up there.

Waianae Ramble

Forest bathing in the valley. Does this mean I don’t need to take a bath when I get home?

Waianae Ramble

Looking back at the yellow-colored bottle caps which means the Waianae Ramble Trail as we were rolling on the trail due to the preponderance of fallen kukui nuts.

Waianae Ramble

Hugging the towering cliffs above us.

Waianae Ramble

Mindful of potential rockfalls above us. Not a good spot for that to happen.

Lualualei Lookout

Akira looking out towards Lualualei Valley, the largest coastal valley on the Leeward side of the island.

Lualualei Lookout

Trying to get a higher vantage view point.

Lualualei Lookout

Cooking ramen, flying the Hawaiian flag upside down, and heart-shaped cacti on the summit. I didn’t know Ferlino was part of the sovereignty movement.

Lualualei Lookout

Aida looking out towards parts of the Waianae Mountain Range.

Lualualei Lookout

Group photo at the spot where the trail intersects with the ridge.

Lualualei Lookout

Leaving the ridge as we followed the loop trail that would take us back into the valley.

Lualualei Lookout

Akira paying his respects to what he perceived as a tree stump that had a startling resemblance to Jizo, who is the patron saint of children, travelers, pilgrims, expectant mothers, firemen, and women in labor. I didn’t get the resemblance, then again I didn’t see it through green-colored glasses. A short distance down the trail was the junction that would have looped the trail and involve stream crossings. NVM etched into the bark of a tree at the junction was the sign for the quitters in the group to give up on that idea, so we just continued back down the trail where we had come from.

Waianae Ramble

Passing through a resting spot of hunters and their dogs. Allison got a lead to clear her backyard of feral pigs.

Waianae Ramble

I don’t think this hammock is the right size for me.

Waianae Ramble

Straddling the stream crossing.

Waianae Ramble

We finished our NVM hike that was under five miles that had a great scenic payoff at the end. Fun hike with good friends.

All pau

Somebody wanted to cram all seven of us sweaty hikers into one Corolla compact car whose name in Latin means small crown. Post hike meal at Juliez where family style was out the window and every person for themselves.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Allison Banks, 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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