Kaipapau Bunkers

by kenji SAITO on December 27, 2014

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?

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

Water tank

We followed the paved road up to the water tank and picked up the trail on the left.

Which way?

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

Steady climb

It was a brief and sharp climb to gain the ridgeline. Short cardio burst.

Tangled thicket

Tangled thicket

The exposed trail was briefly interrupted by a dense weave of hau branches.

Kaipapau gulch

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

Looking back

Kelly coming up the trail with a crisp and clear view of the Ko’olau Mountain Range in the background.

Bunker #1

Bunker #1

Between a tree and a rusty door. Tetanus shot updated?

Rolling out

Rolling out

Who needs doors? Photo by Kelly Quin.

Two tiered bunker

Two tiered bunker

Kelly standing on top of the two story bunker.

Hello?

Hello?

No ladder, unlike other bunkers, just a rusty door to get to the bottom bunker.

Rabbit hole

Rabbit hole

Headed to the second bunker.

Bunker #2

Bunker #2

Kelly going into the smaller and second bunker.

Observation

Observation

The cast iron pedestals are what’s left of the observation mounted instruments that were used during WW2.

Camouflage

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?

What’s down there?

We continued down the ridgeline to find…

Bunker #3

Bunker #3

…the third bunker. Photo by Kelly Quin.

Laie view

Laie view

Group photo left to right: myself and Kelly.

Skylight

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

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Purple orchids

Purple orchids

These flowers are quite common on the trails.

All pau

All pau

Walking back out to our cars.

GPS Tracks

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.

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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

Sunshine July 31, 2019 at 9:46 pm

It’s a fun one

Reply

kenji SAITO August 2, 2019 at 11:09 am

Yup, it sure is.
Mahalo

Reply

Sunshine August 9, 2019 at 3:08 pm

I’ve been looking for some historical highlights about this installation but cannot find many at all. Do you know anything about it?

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kenji SAITO August 14, 2019 at 6:05 am

Details are pretty thin on this one it seems. If I find out anything, I’ll let you know and vice versa.
Mahalo

Reply

Sunshine August 14, 2019 at 7:36 pm

I appreciate it!

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