Hurricane Hone which eventually dissipated into a tropical storm but was still lashing the islands with torrential rain aborted my KST hike, so I met up with Aida and Roger, Akira and Tessa, David and Susan, and Scott to do a relatively “safer” hike in the rain. Even Chico showed up due to him mistaking Colorado for Texas.

Paradise Park

We arrived deep in Manoa Valley as the forecasted rain made its appearance, given that this was a waterfall hike, it should have come as no surprise to anybody. Even the parking lot attendant showed up early to collect the four dollar fee.

Trailhead

Entering the valley that are home to seven waterfalls, we were just interested in visiting Wai’ihii Nui which means trickling water in Hawaiian. But now people just call it Manoa Falls. Easier on tourist tongues.

Manoa Falls Trail

Passage through an abandoned shipping container that replaced a bridge back in 2022, gave us a few seconds of respite from the rain.

Manoa Falls Trail

Walking through the mixed rainforest that has been the backdrop for Hollywood films such as Jurassic Park and Tears of the Sun to name a few. This valley also served as the backdrop of the last gasps to restore the Hawaiian Kingdom. The 1895 Wilcox Rebellion started off with Robert Wilcox and several hundred Hawaiians who sought to restore Queen Lili’uokalani to the throne. In skirmishes and battles that started out in Waikiki, then on to Diamond Head where government forces actually shelled the volcano slopes to dislodge the royalists, then moved to Mo’il’ili and finally to their eventual defeat in Manoa.

Manoa Falls Trail

Can you see the throne for the crowd?

Manoa Falls

Group photo in front of the 100′ or 150′ waterfall. Depends on what sources you use.

‘Aihualama Trail

Time to gain some elevation. 1,547′ to be exact.

‘Aihualama Trail

Akira entering the first gate on the trail.

‘Aihualama Trail

Chico climbing one of the banyan trees on the trail. The first banyan tree was planted in Lahaina in 1873 and was a gift from missionaries that brought it over from its native land, India. It has since spread to all the major islands.

‘Aihualama Trail

Rooting our way on the trail.

‘Aihualama Trail

Our only views on the hike from the landslide area.

‘Aihualama Trail

The power couple walking through the section of bamboo forest. Bamboo was first introduced to the islands by the Polynesian settlers and later by immigrants from Asia. The versatile grass can be used for crafts, tools and shelter. It can also be used as a head rest.

Pauoa Flats Trail

Scott passing through another gate.

Nu’uanu Lookout Trail

We took a short detour to the lookout to see if we could capture a view, as some in the group had never seen the vista.

Nu’uanu Lookout

Views of the valley were denied to us at the 1,600′ lookout. We did get strong winds and pelting rain as a consolation prize.

Pauoa Flats Trail

Why use the map when I can read a book? I didn’t go to public school just for lunch.

Pauoa Flats Trail

Walking on roots beats walking in puddles.

Pauoa Flats Trail

Walking on the boardwalk beats walking on roots and in puddles.

Junction

Susan showing us her land navigation skills. We are here.

Manoa Cliff Trail

I think somebody promised us mountain views.

Manoa Cliff Trail

I guess this counts as a mountain view.

Tantalus

Why did the hikers cross the road? To walk like a duck and quack like a duck if nothing else.

Moleka Trail

David passing underneath a sprawling mass of trees that overshadowed the trail.

Junction

We soon arrived at a junction that required critical thinking. Do we take the longer way which is shorter or the shorter way which is longer? Say what?

Maikiki Valley Trail

The bullet holes or critical thinking made us retreat from the longer way which was shorter to the other way. My head hurts.

Maikiki Valley Trail

Do you want to borrow my book? Old school.

Maikiki Valley Trail

Round and round we go until we go down the correct trail.

Maikiki Valley Trail

Carrying my very own hiking bindle. I just need a train to complete the picture.

Maikiki Valley Trail

Obviously, these are not rolling stones. They are much older than 62 years of age.

Kaneaolole Trail

Chico and Susan playing in the water, carefree of contracting any form of Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection spread by urine from infected animals. The water did not turn blue, so they were safe.

Kaneaolole Trail

Play Taylor Swift music loudly and carry a big stick.

Kaneaolole Trail

Crossing the bridge that soon dropped us down into the Hawaii Nature Center.

Kaneaolole Trail

Three’s a crowd.

Kaneaolole Trail

Wash day for some.

All pau

Your left, your left, your left right left! Cadence flashbacks for some.

Manoa

Will the real clown please stand up? Post hike meal at Red Pepper’s Korean BBQ where hot spicy soup warmed a body good.

GPS Tracks

Our waterlogged hike covered eight miles and was successfully completed despite the lack of a book, long being short, short being long and aloha being upside down. Good fun with a great group.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Chico Cantu, David and Susan Katz, Roger Schiffman, 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.

Mari and I took a page from Stuart Balls “The Hikers Guide to O’ahu” for our Sunday hike. The directions were spot on as we have never set foot on what can be a confusing trail system with multiple junctions.

Trailhead

Cars and hikers were streaming into the Maikiki Forest Recreation Area when we pulled into the lot. A bathroom, washing area and trail information are located at the trailhead. How convenient. Not used to these amenities on a hike.

Kanealole Trail

We took a left at the first junction where native plants marked with descriptive signs lined the trail.

Between a rockwall and a stream

The soothing sounds of Kanealole stream kept us company for a short stretch.

Rabbit hole

Mari heading deeper into the forest.

Maikiki Forest

Climbing and clinging vines covered the trees.

Fair weather hiker

Who brings an umbrella to the hike? At least it’s the “Storm” umbrella.

Maikiki Valley Trail

We climbed up the trail to the left after we let a pack of hunting dogs come down. Something else was coming down. Rain.

Nahuina Trail

It was mango season. No mangoes for us, as the decomposing fruits littered and scented the trail. Fat bugs. We climbed a couple steep switchbacks and took a right at the junction.

Tree fungi

Mountain mushrooms feeding off the many fallen trees.

Tangled trail

Pockets of hau trees sprinkled the trail along with the tree canopy, provided spotty cover from the rain.

Botanical trail

White ginger flowers.

Tantalus Drive

Look both ways before crossing. Have hiking stick, will hike.

Kalahawaine Trail

We walked down the road a short distance before finding the next trail, formerly called Manoa Cliff Trail.

Hunter check in

No dogs. No check in.

Bench view

At least the rain stopped.

Snail trail

No silver trails spotted.

Bridge crossing

Hmmm, what is the load limit?

Toll trail

Watch out for the hiking trolls.

Tree trail

Just treeing around.

Junction

We continued straight on the trail past the junction that contours around Tantalus.

Stair trail

If you see stairs on a trail, safe bet is that it’s part of the Na Ala Hele trail system.

Ditch trail

One foot in front of the other. Left. Left.

Pauoa Flats Trail

We turned left at the junction.

Rooted trail

The trail became heavily rooted and muddy.

Nuuanu trail junction

We passed the junction that comes up from Judd trail and continued straight.

Ahuilamu Trail junction

A bamboo grove marked another junction that goes down to Manoa Falls, where we continued straight on the flats trail.

Bamboo trail

Feels like Kyoto. Well to some people.

Nuuanu Valley overlook

We met another group that were already at the 1,600′ summit. Clouds sprinkled with rain were our views for today. The trail to Konahuanui would have to wait another day.

Going back down

Back on the muddy trail.

Pauoa Flats Trail

We went straight on the connector trail to make our way back.

Banyan tree trail

The trail took on a more pronounced pitch.

Switchback trail

Bends in the trail made it easier to go up the steep climb.

Manoa Cliff Trail

A closed gate marked a native reforestation project. Keeping out feral pigs since 2009.

Puu Ohia Trail junction

We passed the junction that goes up to Tantalus and continued straight on the cliff trail that soon left the gated area.

Traffic trail

Korean hikers seemed to be out in force today on the trails. Annyeong haseyo!

Bench view

Sitting on the Manoa Cliff Bamboo Rest Bench.

Fern trail

Lush ferns cascaded and covered the mountain side.

Round Top Drive

Mari coming down to the end of Manoa Cliff Trail. Watch for traffic.

Moleka Trail

Why did the hiker cross the road? To get to the other trail.

Bamboo trail

Back in Kyoto.

Twisted trees

Climbing up the side of Pu’u Kakea.

Maikiki Valley Trail

We reached the junction and turned right on the valley trail.

Tree trail

Hiking in one of the 17 forest reserves on the island.

Maunalaha Trail

We reached the last junction on our hike today.

Rocky ridge

Mari making her way down the steep ridge that was filled with fragrant eucalyptus trees.

Going down

We made our way back down to the trailhead.

All pau

We are ready for Mount Fuji!

GPS Tracks

The forest loop involved eight trails that covered 8.25 miles. Post hike meal at Hokkaido Ramen Santouka. Cold and hot ramen with pork cheeks.