We all met up at He’eia State Park but the gates were still closed, so instead of staying parked on the blind curve, we moved to He’eia Pier to start our walk.

He’eia Pier

Fishing for rainbows. They were biting today.

Kamehameha Highway

Wait for us! The bus was 10 minutes early, must be a new driver.

Waiahole Poi Factory

Come back in two hours for that Sweet Lady of Waiahole.

Kamehameha Highway

Going over the rickety bridge that crosses Waiahole Stream.

Kamehameha Highway

Lucky there’s no cop around to give us tickets. We need to slow it down as we need to be aware of vehicular safety.

Kamehameha Highway

Dale found a penny heads up on the side of the road which meant a lucky penny which in turn meant good luck. The superstition originated when ancient people thought metals were gift from gods and could ward off evil. Heads represent good and tails represent evil. Yin and yang. Must be true as we didn’t get tickets for speeding on the road.

Kamehameha Highway

Blending in with the graffiti.

Kamehameha Highway

Looking out towards Kalahaku Teeth, a Windward ridge less traveled.

Kahalu’u Stream

Chico trying to go “live.”

7-11

Only one supported local by going to the Hygienic Store, the rest of us got our snacks from one of 85,000 convenience stores across the globe. We found out that chickens love chichi dango, who would’ve known?

Kamehameha Highway

Passing by several shrubs of the Puakenikeni or ten-cent flower, as that is what they sold for in leis during the late 1800s to mid 1900s. The fruits are not edible and are best picked to produce more flowers.

Laenani Beach Park

A pet goat. Do not pet the goat.

Laenani Beach Park

Group photo sans the photographer.

Laenani Beach Park

Drone view before being interrupted by the caretaker.

Laenani Beach Park

The guys trying out their athletic prowess, only one got the cigar. Granted, he had youth and height on his side.

Laenani Beach Park

If Groot can’t be here physically, he can be here in sticker form.

Kamehameha Highway

We watching you brah! Put down that ulu (breadfruit) now!

Kamehameha Highway

Tessa found three dimes, but they were all tails up. Maybe she should donate it back to the road.

Kamehameha Highway

I got to stop rocking the boat.

Kamehameha Highway

Red Skull got his feet wet to swing the day away.

Kamehameha Highway

The girls decided to keep dry and take a photo with the nearby tree.

Kamehameha Highway

How many people can fit on this creaking platform before we all get wet? Let’s not find out.

Kamehameha Highway

Cristy looking out towards the small boats anchored in Kaneohe Bay.

Kamehameha Highway

Drone view with no interruptions.

Kamehameha Highway

Halloween is still dead and decomposing in Kahalu’u.

Kamehameha Highway

Where are the sidewalks when you need them?

Kamehameha Highway

Kenny’s balance was good enough to keep him dry.

He’eia Kea Harbor

Group photo at the only public pier and boat ramp on Kaneohe Bay.

GPS Tracks

Our shortest and #14 perimeter walk in terms of time and miles covered 4.9 miles through the Windward coast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxbeI8pmhYI

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our perimeter walk.

He’eia Kea Pier General Store & Deli

We had our lunch on the waterfront. Chico, Edgar, Marilyn, Mateo and Scott decided to not continue with the group to drive over to the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park.

Byodo-In Temple

The rest of us managed to find parking here and there and got free admission to the smaller scale replica of the original Byodo-In Temple near Kyoto, because we have “relatives buried in the park.”

Byodo-In Temple

How many people does it take to ring the three-ton peace bell? Must be a State job.

Byodo-In Temple

Burning incense to purify the mind and surroundings as we entered the Phoenix Hall that houses the 18′ Lotus Buddha.

Byodo-In Temple

Feeding frenzy.

Byodo-In Temple

Group photo in front of the temple that was built in 1968 to mark the centennial anniversary of Japanese immigration to Hawaii.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Alexis Catarina, Chico Cantu, Cristy CM, Dale Yoshizu, Edgar Gamiao, Kenny Lui, Mari Saito, Marilyn Bermudez, Scott and Mateo Dea, 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.