Holoholo Oahu

by kenji SAITO on September 17, 2023

Met up with Allison, Chico, Ferlino, Laredo and Tessa at the Neal Blaisdell Park to explore some spots around the island. Thanks to Scott for the beta on some of these places.

Pearl Harbor Historic Trail

Pearl Harbor Historic Trail

Sharing the path with bicyclists. The trail began as an ambitious venture under Mayor Harris back in 2001 to revitalize the shoreline communities by upgrading the existing bike path and extending it all the way to Nanakuli. Sad to say, it stalled and died a quiet death due to low priority and lack of interest.

Pearl Harbor Historic Trail

Pearl Harbor Historic Trail

East Loch views.

Pearl Harbor Historic Trail

Pearl Harbor Historic Trail

I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat.

Pearl Harbor Historic Trail

Pearl Harbor Historic Trail

Passing by the HECO Waiau Power Plant that was built back in 1938.

Pearl Harbor Historic Trail

Pearl Harbor Historic Trail

The boys keeping their balancing skills in line.

Pearl Harbor Historic Trail

Pearl Harbor Historic Trail

Will the real scarecrow stand up in the middle of the taro and watercress patches. The sign we just had passed warned about contaminated fish and shellfish. No connection?

Pearl Harbor Historic Trail

Pearl Harbor Historic Trail

We saw a member of the local chapter of Broke Ass Angels.

Pearl Harbor Historical Trail

Pearl Harbor Historical Trail

Where there is a tree, there will be Ferlino.

Pearl Harbor Historical Trail

Pearl Harbor Historical Trail

The home of extra ballots and ballots for the dead. Democracy at work.

Pearl Harbor Historical Trail

Pearl Harbor Historical Trail

I guess it’s better than throwing them over power and telephone lines.

Drainage Canal

Drainage Canal

Dropping down into the network of over 670 miles of underground pipes and channels that discharge directly into the coastal waters to prevent flooding in built up areas.

Drainage Canal

Drainage Canal

Walking through the unfiltered runoff water and debris.

Drainage Canal

Drainage Canal

A race of one.

Drainage Canal

Drainage Canal

Pray that a sudden discharge doesn’t eject you from the pipe. That would be actually funny.

Drainage Canal

Drainage Canal

Flying flock of birds.

Drainage Canal

Drainage Canal

Tessa picked some seed pods from a nearby Pithecellobium Dulce tree. Supposedly good for treating diabetes among other things.

Drainage Canal

Drainage Canal

Tossed a Tupperware container to a lady on the bridge behind us. Thought she was a crazy cat lady.

Drainage Canal

Drainage Canal

Chico eating a jabong fruit that he found unwashed in the canal. Nobody else wanted a piece. All for him.

Drainage Canal

Drainage Canal

Passing a towel rack. Nobody was that sweaty or desperate.

Drainage Canal

Drainage Canal

Entering a dark tunnel filled with a solitary centipede.

Drainage Canal

Drainage Canal

Sample of some of the graffiti we saw down in the canals and tunnels.

Drainage Canal

Drainage Canal

Light at the end of the tunnel.

Drainage Canal

Drainage Canal

Chico and Laredo tossing the pigskin.

Drainage Canal

Drainage Canal

Walking in the relatively dry section.

Drainage Canal

Drainage Canal

Climbing out of the channel.

Kamehameha Highway

Kamehameha Highway

Walking parallel to the road that was opened back in 1921. Many names were considered such as Lei Ilima Drive, Aloha Drive and Rainbow Road among others before finally settling on Kamehameha Highway.

Pearl Highlands Center

Pearl Highlands Center

We had a late breakfast of fried chicken in the food court.

Drainage Canal

Drainage Canal

Looking for the blue barrel so that we could drop back down into the channel as we saw neighborhood groups picking up rubbish in the area. No blue barrel. Maybe they picked it up? No worries, we have webbing to lower ourselves down.

Drainage Canal

Drainage Canal

I don’t need no stinkin’ webbing.

Drainage Canal

Drainage Canal

Chico outgrew the toy, but never his childhood.

Drainage Canal

Drainage Canal

Exploring one of the drainage pipes.

Drainage Canal

Drainage Canal

End of the tunnel for us.

Drainage Canal

Drainage Canal

Group photo with a swimming hole below us.

Kamehameha Highway

Kamehameha Highway

Climbing back to civilization and motorized traffic that we had to cross.

Wat Thai of Hawaii

Wat Thai of Hawaii

Stopped at a Buddhist temple that was bustling with people as there was also an open market selling textiles and food.

Wat Thai of Hawaii

Wat Thai of Hawaii

Thai Tea hit the spot.

Wat Thai of Hawaii

Wat Thai of Hawaii

None of us were Buddhists, so we respectfully left. Allison and Laredo decided to end their day of exploration with us. Do we smell or something?

McDonald's

McDonald’s

We spotted a member of a group that helps each other recover from addiction and convictions through religion. Amen.

Kaiser Estate

Kaiser Estate

Heard this historic house is still up for sale. You get certain tax exemptions with it being on the historic register.

Portlock

Portlock

Ferlino hanging out in the tree that used to have a swing to enjoy the sunsets.

Portlock

Portlock

Different modes of traction across the slippery moss covered rocks.

Portlock

Portlock

Checking out the only private harbor and boat house on the island. Must be nice.

Portlock

Portlock

The boy was so excited as he caught his first fish. Papio?

Kaiser Estate

Kaiser Estate

Visiting hours are the second Saturday of each month. Today is Sunday.

Portlock

Portlock

Drinking coconut water straight from the nut. Hawaiians call it niu and they were introduced to Hawaii hundreds of years ago.

Spitting Caves

Spitting Caves

We checked out the famous cliff jumping spot where adventurous souls jump 70′ into the ocean. No takers today. Chico decided to climb down and check it out for himself.

Spitting Caves

Spitting Caves

The waves were pounding today and spray was shooting out of the cave like a reverse blowhole.

Spitting Caves

Spitting Caves

Chico timing the waves so he doesn’t get washed out to sea.

Spitting Caves

Spitting Caves

Monkey see, monkey do.

Spitting Caves

Spitting Caves

We decided to venture further to where the fishermen had set up their poles.

Spitting Caves

Spitting Caves

Chico and Ferlino climbed down the ladder to check out the conditions.

Spitting Caves

Spitting Caves

Tessa standing on her fishing perch.

All pau

All pau

Climbing back up the short, steep and slippery trail to our car where we ended our fun day.

Photos taken by Allison Banks, Chico Cantu, Ferlino Carinio, Tessa Bugay, 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.

Leave a Comment

{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Wahinee01 November 5, 2023 at 12:56 pm

Love this rarely kinda days when we don’t have to hike
all day and still have tons of fun lol
We should have more holo holo days like this :)

Reply

kenji SAITO November 10, 2023 at 5:03 am

Aloha Tessa,
Yep, different change of pace every now and then is welcome.
Mahalo

Reply

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