Manana Ridge Trail to Aiea

Aida, Aileen, Akira, Amber, Chris, Ferlino, Orion, Roger, Tessa, and myself got together to celebrate fireworks, ring in the new year and bear witness to a good friend completing his last section needed to finish the entire Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST).

We were two short of a baker’s dozen due to a no show and another one stopped for an OVUII. The show must go on.

Passing through the eroded section of the trail under artificial illumination.

Amber talking to her errant roommate.

The group approaching the 2.5 mile marker.

Climbing up one of several eroded hills.

Passing underneath the tree arch.

Going over the gated fence line as we passed the 3.5 mile marker.

Scrambling up another hill in the land of rolling hills.

Taking a break at the helipad as we gazed ahead to the erosional remnants of the massive shield volcano that was sharply etched against the morning sky.

Somebody used their background in operatic singing to good use.

A small cheehoo in return. I did not attend the University of Maryland College Park.

The last sunrise of the year breaking over the mountains. It was going to be a hot day.

Traversing the ridge punctuated with knobs and humps and with the strikingly clear Waianae Mountain Range in the background.

Are we there yet?

Approaching the 2,660′ summit.

Group photo at the massive knob with photobombers in the background.

Stepping foot on the spine of the Ko’olau Mountains.

Shadows in the mountains as we left the summit behind us.

Overlooking Kahalu’u Pond, Kaneohe Bay and the Sandbar.

Standing in one of multiple meadows that populate the mountain range.

Looking down at the ridge that drops down into the valley. The stuff of some hiker’s dreams or nightmares.

Following the only stretch of fence line that we would run across today. The eyesore fence line started to make their appearance in the mountains circa 2001. They are meant to control the invasive ungulates from devouring and destroying the native fauna and flora.

Leaving the gate for greener pastures on the other side.

Descending the grassy slope to stay on trail.

It must have been nice to have a wide brim hat on this sunny day.

Practicing my controlled descent down the Windward side.

Contouring our way around the landmark landslide as we dropped down to the saddle.

Group photo at the 2,160′ summit that overlooks Waihe’e Valley, where we also had our lunch.

Climbing our way out of the saddle.

Somebody was “shaking it off” in the mountains.

Enjoying our office views.

Approaching the largest meadow on the Ko’olau Mountains.

Getting off the ridgeline as we dropped into the spot many have described as magical and mythical.

Amber doing a handstand for her legions of fawning admirers on Tik Tok.

Ferlino jumping for joy. I think he wanted to attract the same type of followers on social media.

Tessa looking out towards the Windward views.

Group photo in the verdant oasis that was surprisingly free of winds and clouds. A magical moment indeed.

Chris standing on one of the mounds in the meadows.

Trudging up on the spongy ground as we climbed our way towards the summit of Waimalu.

Back on the undulating ridgeline.

Clouds lingering over the mountains due to increases in air pressure and temperature.

Spike repair service in the mountains.

Looking down at a broken spectre with glory rings which is the result of the sun shining behind a person who is looking down into a cloud of water droplets. It was around this time that a genetically gifted person shared their water with me. Danke, genetisch uberlegener mensch.

Climbing our way towards one of the bigger peaks on the ridge.

Rose who was recently released from captivity, joined us on the trail, as she had taken multiple naps since hiking up from Aiea.

Chico with the last sunset of the year.

Time to turn the headlamps on.

Night marchers. In person.

Are those people on the mountains? Taken by Jeremy Uota from Kahuku.

Scrambling up to the powerlines on the ridge. Are we there yet?

Looking down on the Windward side, the aerial fireworks had commenced earlier in the day and had picked up its pace, but not by much.

The final push to the 2,805′ summit.

#21. I fumbled my speech due to me being dead tired, but my faulty recall was along the lines of “Congratulations to Chico for completing the Ko’olau Summit Trail in its entirety. He got here due to his commitment, dedication and perseverance.” I finished with my customary champagne dousing. Full bottle. This man is truly an inspiration. Always ready with an off-color joke, positive attitude and unbridled energy on and off the trail. Truly fun company and a good friend. I also believe at 67 years young, he is the oldest person to have finished the KST. On New Year’s Eve to boot. Major props.

Going down the gem of a ridge hike, per Stuart Ball. I’m not sure that applies to night time conditions. It was fitting that we started in the dark on a ridge and ended the next day in the dark on a ridge.

As soon as the clock struck midnight, the aerial fireworks on the West side picked up in terms of frequency and intensity. The 105,000 pounds of illegal fireworks that was seized, failed to put any noticeable dent in the unrestrained orgy of pyrotechnics of every shape, size and form. You can’t put the toothpaste back into the tube.

We ended our hike on the paved street of Aiea Heights Road on New Year’s Day 2024. Post hike meal was a stick of butter for one special person. The rest of us got cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches and pork adobo courtesy of Jasmin and Lilia. We also got a free newspaper thrown to us and we don’t even live in the area.

Our unexpected and unplanned 24-hour hike that spanned New Year’s Eve 2023 and New Year’s Day 2024 covered over 14 miles with a solid group that saw Chico connect the KST dots at the finish line. Thanks to the group for the most part that stuck together on the extremely taxing hike in more ways than one. Nobody complained. Everybody helped each other out. Outstanding teamwork. Congrats again to Chico for one of the most memorable KST finishes in recent memory. I was glad as well to complete my 17th finish of the KST at the same time.

We all gathered to have a proper celebration of Chico’s KST accomplishment the next day at his house. Thanks to everybody that came out to party the night away. Group photo left to right: Jasmin, Orion, Ferlino, Roger, Justin, Rose, Groot, Chico, Amber, Lilia, Xena, Quan, Lilyn, Akira, Aida, Jen, Tessa, Mari, Aileen, Chris, and myself.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Aileen Agustin, Akira Suzuki, Amber Fonte, Chico Cantu, Chris Bautista, Ferlino Carinio, Orion Satori, Roger Schiffman, 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.

Tagged as: aiea loop trail, aiea ridge trail, aiea summit, eleao meadows, koolau summit ridge trail, ksrt, manana ridge trail, manana summit, waimalu meadows, waimalu summit, waimano summit