We decided to roam the hills and walk down a jeep road this Mother’s Day.

Thanks to Sandra, our German driver, who shuttled us to our starting point in her Japanese truck.

Where are the seatbelts? Is this OSHA approved?

You know Chief Logan? A reserve HPD officer approached us to make sure we were not up to any nefarious activities, like smoking weed or something.

Plunging into the forest laced with woody and minty undertones.

The group dwarfed by the towering eucalyptus trees that were introduced to the islands in the 1870s for timber. They are considered invasive as they leach toxins into the soil that prevents native trees from taking root and flourishing.

Aida passing patches of green moss on her way down the hill.

Mari climbing her way carefully down the rooted hill. One wrong step and you’re tumbling or twisting your ankle.

Treading over the tangled and twisted roots that carpeted the trail.

Slight detour to see the side waterfall.

Akira scampering up a fallen tree to avoid getting wet.

The rest of us tried our best in staying dry.

Going up our first hill as we passed through the taro and ti leaf patches that were obviously being cultivated.

Cristy nimbly going underneath the fallen tree.

Leaving the “trail” to descend down the hill.

The group descending down to their second water crossing. This time, everybody is getting wet. No matter what.

Mari fording the longest stream on the island, measuring 33 miles that empties into Kai’aka Bay in Waialua.

Pushing our way up through the uluhe infested hill.

The group resting after our first “cardio climb.” More to come.

Alexis following the edge of the tree line.

Fitting nine hikers on the geo stone structure in the middle of the woods.

Kenny and Mari checking out a “charcoal” tree, possible remnants from the brush fire that scorched 500 acres back in 2015.

You guys think we can get a thousand bucks for this photo? That ship has sailed.

Photo shoot is over. We soon left the loop trail to stay on course to our destination.

Let’s follow the sign, the second time.

If a tree falls in a forest, and somebody records it, then it does make a sound.

Dropping down another hill. This place is not called Wahiawa Hills for nothing.

Our last stream crossing of the day.

A hop, skip, and a jump. Shouldn’t even get the soles of your shoe wet, well at least your feet.

Climbing up the hill populated with paperbark trees, that were introduced to the islands in 1865 for windbreak and watershed cover.

Taking a load off our feet while all of us recharged in our own way. Some ate. Some drank. Some smoked.

Not all who wander are lost. There have been two recorded instances of hikers being lost on the trail, only one had a happy outcome. In 2000, Robert Lefevre was never seen again. In 2015, Justin Clark was rescued after four days in the jungle. Never hike alone and always tell somebody where you are going. You just never know.

The group going in and out of the shallow saddle.

Climbing our way up the last forested hill.

One step at a time, one foot in front of each other.

Leaving the hills behind us as we walked through the grassy fields.

Following the jeep road to its continuation.

Group photo with the bullet riddled sign that has seen better days.

Following the uluhe clogged ridgeline to our destination.

Snacking on the trail.

I found a shiny object on the trail. Who needs a makeup mirror?

Jeremy going up the slight grade with the KST in the background. Oh wait, that’s the WST. Mountain identification at its finest.

Kenny trudging through the thin ribbon of water that passed for a trail.

Taking our lunch break near a container and water catchment.

Failed synchronized crossing.

Now the fun part. Going down the five mile jeep road.

The group walking up the slight incline.

Crossing paths with the only other hiker we saw all day on the trails. She was training for a hike in Canada.

The boys making a wish. It was already granted.

An excruciatingly slow drone flyby of the group.

Walking on sections of the road that saw the erosional effects of the recent Kona lows that carved huge ruts in the road.

Dirt bikers were having a field day as the road is now closed to vehicular traffic.

Skimming the mud puddle.

We made it to the gate and our cars!

Our Mother’s Day hike covered 8.65 miles through rolling hills, forest and stream crossings and a jeep road. Fun times with good friends. Post hike meal at Chicken in a Barrel, where I should’ve ordered the pizza instead and got to see Bill Gates. Sorta and 30 years ago.

Photos/Crew taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Alexis Catarina, Chico Cantu, Cristy CM, Jeremy Cannone, Kenny Lui, Mari Saito, 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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