We all gathered to help somebody reintegrate into the hiking world due to a tweaked back and did a sandy stroll at the end of the world, or island in this case.
Kaena Point State Park
Shadows in the heat, time to slather on that sun protection.
Kaena Point State Park
It was nice to see Tessa back on the trails after a month long absence.
Kaena Point State Park
Trying to find the right weight, balance and equilibrium so we can play see-saw on the beach.
Kaena Point State Park
Standing on the remnants of the Oahu Railway and Land Company train line that used to transport sugarcane and passengers from Honolulu to the North Shore from 1899 until 1946, when the Aleutian tsunami damaged the tracks beyond financial point of repair.
Kaena Point State Park
Exploring the razor sharp rocks along the coastline.
Kaena Point State Park
Bushwhacking? Are we on the KST?
Kaena Point State Park
Skirting our way around several sea turtle nesting sites. Over 96% of turtles nest amongst the French Frigates Shoals and the rest are scattered through the Hawaiian islands.
Kaena Point State Park
Filtering our way through the gate meant to keep out motorized vehicles.
Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve
Entering through the predator proof fenced area that encompasses 59 acres of land that provides a safe haven for endangered species.
Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve
Passing the Leina a Ka’uhane rock or leaping place of the souls, where the recently deceased would journey into the afterlife.
Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve
Spotting a wedge-tailed shearwater (‘ua’u kani) fledgling in their coastal burrow.
Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve
A Layson albatross juvenile spreading its wings.
Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve
The engineer has determined that the ladder is structurally unsound and would not be prudent to climb any further.
Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve
Taking our group photo in the lighthouse that was erected in 1920 and fell to beach erosion in 1990.
Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve
While we were taking our picture, Tessa was wandering the beach and found a Hawaiian monk seal popping out of the surf. This vulnerable species is one of only two mammals endemic to the islands.
Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve
Looking across one of the last intact coastal sand dunes in the Hawaiian islands.
Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve
A fisherman about to throw net and try catch something. The individual throw net was introduced to Hawaii by Japanese immigrants in the 1890s and was quickly adopted by locals.
Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve
He might catch a merman swimming around, probably throw him back and wait for one mermaid.
Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve
Saw crabs, helmet urchins and opihi on the rocky coastline.
Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve
Looking back at the rest of the group.
Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve
Jeremy training for the Chimney.
Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve
Following the latest beach photography fad.
Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve
Squatters.
Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve
Jeremy following the roped corridor out of the sanctuary that was established in 1983.
Kaena Point State Park
If you want to know what it means, just read the shirt.
Kaena Point State Park
Chico descending into a tunnel that was bored out by the US military to emplace turret guns for coastal defense.
Kaena Point State Park
I always thought this was part of the OR&L railroad tracks until further research proved me wrong. There is a shrine in the dark tunnel dedicated to Les Merrell who tragically fell off Bear Claw Ridge back in 2012.
Kaena Point State Park
Checking out a possible carrier that was meant to haul the shells on the tracks now covered with rubble from the ceiling of the cave.
Kaena Point State Park
Looking back at the junction where the tunnel connects together to form a loop.
Kaena Point State Park
Shadow vs. silhouette. It’s all about the lighting conditions and the surface or lack of one.
Kaena Point State Park
I was so glad to leave the sauna like conditions behind us.
Kaena Point State Park
Walking outside of the 2,133′ long fence that encloses the recovering sand dune ecosystem that was degraded over the years from off-road vehicles.
All pau
Our last group photo of the day as we concluded the six mile hike to the westernmost tip of the island with new and old friends. Post hike meal at Jerry’s Pizza where ahi katsu was introduced by the 100% disabled veteran.
Photos/Crew taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Chico Cantu, Cristy Meador, Derek Ferguson, Jeremy Cannone, Mari Saito, Marilyn Bermudez, Scott Peterson, 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.
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Awesome adventure through Hawaii’s history.
Thank Kenji for guiding us on all of our crazy adventures.