I drove all the way out to the country town of Hauula to meet Kelly for a short bunker hike.
Who let the dogs out?
Reports of large and loose vicious dogs running in the neighborhood could not be verified. Thankfully. There are loose dogs, but they paid us no mind.
Water tank
We followed the paved road up to the water tank and picked up the trail on the left.
Which way?
Soon, we noticed pink ribbons to our right which led to the bunkers. I believe if we had continued straight, the trail would wind deep into Kaipapau Gulch.
Steady climb
It was a brief and sharp climb to gain the ridgeline. Short cardio burst.
Tangled thicket
The exposed trail was briefly interrupted by a dense weave of hau branches.
Kaipapau gulch
The gulch is home to an impressive waterfall that only flows after heavy rain. Or so I heard. Another hike for another day.
Looking back
Kelly coming up the trail with a crisp and clear view of the Ko’olau Mountain Range in the background.
Bunker #1
Between a tree and a rusty door. Tetanus shot updated?
Rolling out
Who needs doors? Photo by Kelly Quin.
Two tiered bunker
Kelly standing on top of the two story bunker.
Hello?
No ladder, unlike other bunkers, just a rusty door to get to the bottom bunker.
Rabbit hole
Headed to the second bunker.
Bunker #2
Kelly going into the smaller and second bunker.
Observation
The cast iron pedestals are what’s left of the observation mounted instruments that were used during WW2.
Camouflage
Kelly standing on top of the second bunker, which like the other bunkers are almost completely obscured by the surrounding vegetation.
What’s down there?
We continued down the ridgeline to find…
Bunker #3
…the third bunker. Photo by Kelly Quin.
Laie view
Group photo left to right: myself and Kelly.
Skylight
The last bunker was quite small with no view but a good sized boulder had found its way down the hole, bending the top rung in the process.
Panoramic view
Click here for the larger image.
Purple orchids
These flowers are quite common on the trails.
All pau
Walking back out to our cars.
GPS Tracks
The bunker hike covered 2.66 miles in under two hours. Post hike meal at North Shore Tacos. Shrimp Tacos and Ginger Lemonade per Kelly’s recommendation. Thumbs up.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s a fun one
Yup, it sure is.
Mahalo
I’ve been looking for some historical highlights about this installation but cannot find many at all. Do you know anything about it?
Details are pretty thin on this one it seems. If I find out anything, I’ll let you know and vice versa.
Mahalo
I appreciate it!