Aikahi Bunkers (Kalaheo Hills)

We spent today roaming a different set of hills for an early easy birthday hike. A lot of trails were considered after a severe thunderstorm cell had pounded the island yesterday. I was praying that we didn’t have to visit another waterfall anytime soon, my birthday wish came true.

Thanks to Chico and Dave for shuttling us to our starting spot in the neighborhood. I had done this particular route over 12 years ago but from the other side, time to tackle it from the back side. Change of pace.

Pushing through chest high California grass as we headed towards the hills.

Nothing like a random stranger singing happy birthday to you. “What’s your name? Happy Birthday to you!”

A poor man’s version of a Schwinn bicycle.

Going off the beaten track.

Are we going the right way?

Following another overgrown path. The hills are honeycombed with trails that will all take you somewhere.

We looped back to see the painted rocks. We got time as this is not going to take all day right?

Headed towards the direction of Kalaheo High School, look back before we miss it.

We scrambled up to the paint splattered rocks with commanding views of Kailua Town, the Mokes, Olomana and the surrounding ocean views.

Drone view of the painted rock that is painted annually by the graduating seniors in the school’s blue and orange colors.

Life on the rock.

Painter’s point of view.

Time to take our leave of the pigmented soaked rocks and get back on the trail.

You f*cker! I got you again!

Leaving the oppressive humidity behind us as we left the stifling overgrowth behind us and traded it for exposed and windy ridge line conditions.

Chico passing the carrion flower native to South Africa down the line for a sniff test. The offensive odor is emitted to attract flies due to the absence of nearby pollinating insects.

Making our way to the first pillbox on exposed Mahinui Ridge.

The rest of the group climbing up the last steep section as we neared the summit of Pu’u Papa’a which loosely translates to scorched hill.

We creeped up to signs of urbanization in the hills. Stairs. Road. Communication towers.

Exploring the exterior of the double-decked bunker that was once used as a fire control station during WW2.

Drone view of the bunkers technically known as B3 S3 Base End Station and Triangulation Station Papa’a.

Climbing down inside the bunkers to check out the constantly changing artwork that decorates the interior walls.

Mahalo to everybody for our double elevated cupcakes and those that came to sing us a song. What better way to spend our early birthday than inside a phallic painted bunker complete with a decomposing rodent and ammonia infused scents. Thanks guys!

A UFO came and abducted Allison, Nusay and Susan for reasons known only to the aliens. They came back later to collect Dave and Ferlino as they needed gender representation.

Our group dropped to seven in numbers as we continued down the crumbly ridgeline.

Following the dropped communications cable as we made our way to the next bunker.

Climbing up the rickety and rusting “billboard.” Don’t try this at home kids.

Top of the defunct microwave relay antenna. Now how do we get down?

Explored the dark and dank Battery Commander’s Station (BCS) that was built in 1944 that would have directed the two 8″ guns that were located in Battery 405 further down the hillside and renamed Battery DeMerritt after the war ended. The guns were never fired in anger and were soon dismantled after the war, the battery itself consists of 210′ deep tunnels that were purchased by Gary Weller in 2000 and turned into a data center.

Pushing through the overgrowth to check out the water tank that was located below the BCS.

Climbing up the empty water tank, short legs and all.

We dropped into the bowels of the echo chamber to discover a graffiti message for us? Ahh, they shouldn’t have.

Circling the colorfully decorated cavernous tank that was supposedly cracked during test firing of the 8 inch coastal battery guns back in the day.

Gecko’s eye view of the group.

Climbing our way out of the old water tank.

Drone view of the tank.

We had to bushwhack a bit before finding the trail again.

Dale scooting his way down over some rocks.

What is that crawling all over the rocks we had just climbed down from? Centipedes?!? Glad we saw it after the fact.

Finding our way out of the jungle without popping in somebody’s backyard was a lot harder than expected.

We missed the actual exit trail by that much!

Chico suggested we walk to the second restaurant owned by French born chef Nico Chaize as it was shorter than returning to his house. Aida, Cristy, Ferlino, Lilia and Nusay joined us for our post hike meal. Many thanks to Chico and Lilia for Mari and my lunch.

Our romp in the hills covered 3.44 miles with cooperative weather, amazing scenery and explorations with fun friends. Thanks to Chico for organizing our early birthday hike and all the participants that hiked with us today. Shout out to Aida, Aileen, Akira, Allison, Andrew, Ani, Chico, Cristy, Dale, Dave, Edgar, Ferlino, Kenny, Lilia, Marilyn, Roger, Susan and Tessa for the gifts. Until the next adventure. Mahalo!

Photos/Crew taken by Aileen Agustin, Allison Banks, Chico Cantu, Dale Yoshizu, Dave and Susan Katz, Ferlino Carinio, Kenny Lui, Mari Saito, Nusaybah Roberson, Roger Schiffman, 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: aikahi bunkers, b3 s3 base end station, battery 405, battery control station, battery demerritt, kalaheo hills, mahinui ridge, painted rock, puu papaa, triangulation station papaa