I had a weekday off thanks to the 250th birthday of America. Instead of popping fireworks, we decided to spend a day in the mountains. Different mountains than planned, but same concept.

Maunawili Trail

We picked up Ben from the historic carriage path that used to be the corridor between Nu’uanu Pali and Waimanalo and Lilia then dropped us off in the backwoods of Waimanalo to start our hike.

Maunawili Trail

Have wheels, will pack. Guess I’m walking.

Maunawili Trail

Why take the easy trail up when you can climb on the tree roots?

Aniani Nui Ridge

Spitting distance if you got great lungs of Ahiki Peak.

Aniani Nui Ridge

Snorting and belching wannabe wild boars.

Ahiki

Making our way up the backside of the third peak.

Ahiki

The climbing got progressively steeper on the second set of ropes.

Ahiki

One has to wonder how long these ropes and webbings have been weathered out here in the hot Hawaiian sun. Hikers beware.

Ahiki

You don’t need a photographer when you have an Insta360 in your pack.

Ahiki

A drone in the air also replaces a photographer as well.

Ahiki

We soon approached the ladder which serves as the gateway to the summit. However, this aluminum ladder that replaced the pipe ladder which now sits in somebody’s apartment, is unstable and poses a greater risk to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I believe back in 2022, a visitor from Indiana fell to his death possibly by descending on the former pipe ladder. This ladder poses the same if not greater danger to unsuspecting hikers. Besides, the top of the ladder does not extend three feet past the top per OSHA standards nor is it properly secured at the base or the top.

Ahiki

Can you please remove your hand from my face?

Ahiki

The last man climbing up the ladder with ample exposure on both sides.

Ahiki

Expressive group photo on the lowest of the three peaks at 1,440′ elevation.

Ahiki

Trying to snack on Chico’s camera, I was getting hangry. I wasn’t angry, so just hungry.

Ahiki

Approaching the Keyhole with Paku’i and Olomana in the distance.

Keyhole

Ben contemplating climbing the sheet of rock punctured with a puka (hole)? All you dawg!

Keyhole

Second guessing myself as cracks in the rocks were pointed out as I climbed to the top of the fractured dike.

Keyhole

Drone view of the “ascent.”

Keyhole

Now the hard part, I had to climb back down.

Paku’i

Climbing the steep section towards the summit.

Paku’i

View from the 1,581′ elevation peak.

Paku’i

Scrambling our way towards the highest peak.

Olomana

Drone view of the divided hill.

Olomana

Chico passing out his stickers to visiting sailors from the RIMPAC exercise on the 1,643′ elevation summit.

Olomana

We left the summit and began our descent down the trail while running across scores of other hikers.

Olomana Trail

Ben took the regular way and we took the shortcut.

Olomana Trail

Fence creep has seemingly migrated from the KST to the lowlands.

All pau

Thanks to our Uber who picked us up and took us to Kailua to have our post hike meal with the blessings of the missus.

GPS Tracks

Our pre-4th of July hike covered 3.5 miles with fun friends. Post hike meal at Lanikai Brewing Company, Ben’s favorite spot to catch a bite.

Photos/Crew taken by Ben Hinders, Chico Cantu, 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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