We all dithered and dickered over the venue for Princess’s birthday hike today. It was too dry for the original waterfall hike, other venues were rejected before finally settling on a large and extinct tuff cone on the East side of the island.
Koko Crater
There was some apprehension about certain individuals that were loitering near the botanical garden entrance but a military connection was soon formed and such feelings soon evaporated as we headed for the marked trail.
Koko Crater Rim
We waited for the group to collectively come together as some of them had taken the scenic route or as they say they were “exploring.”
Koko Crater Rim
Streaming hikers making their way up the mauka side of the rim.
Koko Crater Rim
Andrew and Susana discussing their color choices.
Koko Crater Rim
Climbing up the steeper section of the rim.
Koko Crater Rim
The girls throwing a high and low shaka that correspondingly indicates their comfort level.
Koko Crater Rim
Dave scrambling up the bulging rock and proving that all hikers subscribe to the Egalitarian doctrine.
Koko Crater Rim
Standing shakas must indicate a high level of comfortability on the rim.
Koko Crater Rim
Everybody approached this section according to their own comfort level or peer pressure.
Koko Crater Rim
Drone view of the rim.
Koko Crater Rim
Threading our way around the upper edge of the cliff.
Koko Crater Rim
Drones were buzzing all around us over the puka as four unmanned aerial vehicles competed for our attention.
Koko Crater Rim
Is that a nine-foot selfie stick or are you just glad to see us?
Koko Crater Rim
With big group comes big wait.
Koko Crater Rim
Jumping for joy or peer pressure.
Koko Crater Rim
Edgar running the rim to catch up with Susana who left the group to circle the fringed vulva or Kohelepelepe. According to Hawaiian legend, the goddess Kapo left behind her private parts as a decoy so that her sister Pele could escape the demigod Kama’pua’a. Now I see why Edgar was running.
Koko Crater Rim
Scott and Mister Green waiting for the rest of the group to catch up as swarms of ladybugs kept them company.
Koko Crater Rim
Walking through grassy fields supposedly results in stress reduction, improved balance and grounding effects.
Koko Crater Rim
I don’t think these are the grassy fields they are talking about.
Koko Crater Rim
Single file. Pass on the right.
Koko Crater Rim
Where’s Roger?
Koko Crater Rim
Scrambling our way to the summit of Pu’u Mai.
Koko Crater Rim
Climbing the last steep section. All downhill from this point.
Koko Crater Summit
Some girls want chocolate. Some want flowers. Some want bling. Aida just wants four ounces of churned dairy cream with a candle on top. Happy Birthday Princess!
Koko Crater Summit
Aida coaching and coaxing everybody for picture taking time. Scott and Chico, get in the frame. Ferlino, stop taking selfies. Front row, show some teeth. Edgar, turn around. Kenny, stop thinking about pot. Matt, stop flying your drone. Say cheese!
Koko Crater Summit
Our final group photo. No photoshop involved.
Koko Crater Stairs
Time to head down the 3/4 mile of refurbished WW2 tramway. Hats off to the Kokonut Koalition and its volunteers that did such a superb job of fixing up the stairs.
Koko Crater Stairs
All pau pau. Let’s go kau kau.
Gyotaku
Matt serving our lunch as his manager looks on to make sure he gets our orders right. It’s hard to find good help these days.
Gyotaku
The only thing more insane about this cake is its price. Don’t ask. Thanks to everybody for coming out to celebrate Aida’s birthday hike. Fun times all around.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTqt6vAtIfE
Video by Edgar Gamiao of our birthday hike.
Photos/Crew taken by Aileen Agustin, Akira Suzuki, Allison Banks, Andrew Hirai, Chico Cantu, Cristy CM, David and Susan Katz, Edgar Gamiao, Ferlino Carinio, Marilyn Bermudez, Matt Vidaurri and Nick, Scott Dea, Roger Schiffman, Susana Escobar, Tesssa Bugay, Val Wang 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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