Mahalo to Richie for dropping Art, Quan, Roseann, Tessa and myself off at Makapu’u Lookout. Somebody kept us waiting. Hawaiian time. We do live in Hawaii after all.

Makapu’u Lookout

Looking back at the rising sun that eclipsed the 115,000 candlepower lamp shining from Makapu’u Lighthouse.

Makai Pier

Making our way towards what I like to call the “Stonehenge of the Pacific.”

Makapu’u Puka

Group photo at the well-known landmark.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail

Hiking on the rocky and thorny edge overlooking the coastal shoreline.

Camp Winner

Can Camper and Winner come out to play?

Manana Island

Roseann hiking up the cliffs overlooking Manana and Kaohika’ipu Islands and Makai Pier.

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De parapente! De parapente!

Hang Gliding Platform

A tall stranger provided ample shade for Tessa from the morning sun.

Guard Shack

The sentry noticed that hikers were pouring through the porous fence line and decided to do nothing.

Tower

Art leaving behind the skeleton remains of the Nike-Hercules OA-32 IFC batteries that were deactivated in 1970.

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Dropping down into the saddle.

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Taking in a birds eye view of the Waimanalo coastline.

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Just spectactors. No participators.

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Looking into Kamilo Niu Valley with Koko Crater and Koko Head in the distance.

Kamiloiki Summit

Group photo from our perch overlooking Waimanalo Bay and the three peaks of Olomana, Paku’i and Ahiki.

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Just missing the cardboard boxes.

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Making our way through the rocky cliffs.

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Climbing my way down the extinct proving grounds.

Tom-Tom Summit

The group approaching the summit where the Tom-Tom trail, named after Tom McGuire and Tom Cadle who rediscovered the trail used by ancient Hawaiian trailrunners that drops down into Waimanalo.

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Standing on a finger ridge to get closer to the views.

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King Arthur of the Hill.

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Tessa contouring and climbing her way back to the ridge line.

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Walking through a stretch of feathery ferns, a nice change from the clawing uluhe ferns.

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The girls scrambling up the rocks.

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Art running into a low hanging branch. That’s why you wear caps, to hide the bumps.

Mariner’s Ridge Summit

Standing on the summit of Kaluanui, the trail that leads to the top has been closed since 2013 by Kamehameha Schools.

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Leaving the lonely summit behind us as some of us climbed down the cliff while others sensibly used the contour trail.

Hahaione Pyramid

We contoured behind the roughly triangular rock face to continue on the trail.

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Going through the forest of gnarled and twisted trees.

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What happens when you drink water stashed from our KST one shot two years ago?

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Overacting at its finest.

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Passing the first set of power lines on the trail.

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Climbing up the hill towards the second set of power lines.

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Art approaching the summit with his fans in tow.

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Our last group photo at what is arguably one of the more popular hiking spots on the island.

Kuli’ou’ou Ridge Trail

Going down what seemed like an endless number of stairs on the trail.

Kuli’ou’ou Ridge Trail

Waiting for the group to catch up at the picnic shelter. Where’s the picnic? False advertising.

All pau

Yawyaws talking loudly at the trailhead resulted in the neighbor yelling at us to keep it down and somebody walking away from the group. Perhaps due to anti-social tendencies or non-confrontational tendencies? Thanks to Richie for picking up the split group. Post hike meal at Pho Time. Customer service was not as good as the food and napkin etiquette was not strictly followed by somebody. Yelling for days. To be followed up by Iphone assistance which was met by more yelling. Time to go home and call it a day.

Photos taken by Art Young, Quan Haberstroh, Roseann Fai, 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.