Hoaniani Falls (Chico’s Birthday Hike)

We gathered to hike to a place known to locals as Kalihi Ice Ponds or Tin Roof, but historically referred to as Moaniani or Hoaniani Falls.

Some people stretch before a hike, others hydrate and one particular individual had his eyebrows trimmed. Grooming matters. One has to look good and be able to see unobstructed on a hike.

Thanks to Akira and Lilia for shuttling us to the trailhead. Private and public school math converged and came out to a group total of 16 peeps. Leave no hiker behind.

Chris and Dave got in some warm up exercise before our strenuous hike.

Dropping off the service road and into the storm drainage canals.

Scrambling over the forest detritus scattered on the hill.

Prepare to get wet. Looking down at the concrete canal that was filled with over a foot of water. If the weather was pouring rain instead of sunshine, we might have paused as concrete doesn’t slow down or absorb water like a mud or rock canal, and the canal could rise to threatening conditions in the blink of an eye. Happy Birthday.

Scrambling and climbing our way down the embankment.

The group waiting for the others to join us in getting our feet wet.

All wet and accounted for, luckily it was just a hop, skip, and a jump to the tunnels.

Seeking the path of least resistance.

Walking through the rock strewn and graffiti covered tunnel.

If a tree falls in a stream, take a group photo on the fallen perennial plant.

Making our way through one of multiple blowdowns that littered the stream.

Chris proving that hubcaps can also double as a man-made waterfall for Allison.

Merrill holding his pet or lunch. These red swamp crayfish were introduced to the islands in 1923 into taro patches near Ahuimanu Stream. They are considered an invasive pest and are known to burrow into their surrounding grounds resulting in drainage of taro fields, snack on insects, snails and taro plants. These critters best belong in a gumbo pot. Where is Akira when you need him?

Chris stayed in the shallow end and took our photo sitting on the vintage service road that time forgot.

When IG expectations meet the cold breath of reality. Happy Birthday Chico and enjoy your cornstarch dusted cupcake.

The fallen tree made the perfect backdrop for the Dancing Queens.

The group alternating between walking on the banks and wading in the stream.

Video! I think the novelty is wearing off, especially those within earshot.

Halfway there! Is that the same as only 15 more minutes?

Dangling from an apparent “treehouse” suspended above the stream with wire rope and steel beams. Unable to date it, but I have seen pictures of it with wood planks and Christmas lights. I would like to shake the hands of the people that hauled the materials down to the stream and built it hanging from a sturdy tree branch. Major props.

Touching the block was my end goal, or more accurately somebody else’s end goal.

Calling the Spartan Girls to join me up here. Hello?

The birthday boy did it better, standing up. Chico, King of the Mountain.

Group photo perspective of a round peg in a square hole.

Chris with his boogie board, ready to ride the stream down. Or perhaps not.

Only one pair in this set of photos could do what comes after sitting in a tree.

Following the stream down.

Double dunking in the waters.

This is not your Sandy Beach.

Looking for a needle in a deep and murky pool. Chico donated his prescription sunglasses that accidentally fell into the water to the aina.

Threading our way through a massive blowdown blocking our forward progress.

Some in the group climbed down the dry way on the upper tier as we crossed paths with another group exploring upstream.

The rest of us took the wet way down.

Somebody only had one job on this hike and they let it float away.

Anne-Marie and Jenn crossing the middle tier of the falls.

Father and son enjoying the middle tier pool.

Somebody accused me of stealing their thunder by falling in the pool. It was not intentional. I do not particularly like waterfalls.

The rest of the group climbing their way down to the base.

Our last group photo of the day before we headed up the hill and called it a day.

My lack of balance resulted in an awkward spill on the side of the highway. Thanks to Akira, Dale and Lilia for picking us up and shuttling us back to the house. Our fun filled and waterlogged hike covered 1.12 miles with good friends.

Somebody wanted to try out my meta glasses. Video! It’s not your birthday Matt. Go get your own glasses. Aida, Dale, Kim, Matt, Roseann and KYC friends joined us at the house for the ono potluck.

The potluck spread of banana cream pie, chili, chocolate cupcakes, corky’s bbq pork, dim sum, enchiladas, pansit, pasta salad, pinakbet, salt vinegar chicken, sourdough bread, oxtail soup and many others that filled our tummies and our takeout containers. Kanak attack. Don’t let Matt the sleep stalker catch you.

No, the leaves are not edible.

We all wished Chico happy birthday. He is living proof that age is just a number. Many happy returns of the day from your friends and family.

Most of us retired upstairs to play LCR game and Dale hauled in the biggest pot to date. $78. Somebody could have used that money for their tow truck funds. Mahalo to everybody that came and participated in some form or fashion to celebrate Chico’s birthday. Thanks especially to Lilia for being the gracious host.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcyeUs3vTWw

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our birthday hike.

Photos/Crew taken by Aileen Agustin, Allison Banks, Anne-Marie Caravalho, Chico Cantu, Chris Bautista, Cristy CM, David and Susan Katz, Edgar Gamiao, Jenny Leigh, Kenny Lui, Mari Saito, Marilyn Bermudez, Merrill Kalopodes, 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.

Tagged as: hoaniani falls, kalihi ice ponds, moaniani falls, tin roof