Met up with Aida, Allison, Mari, Mona and Tessa at Dillingham Airfield for our perimeter walk#7 around the island.

Dillingham Airfield

Group photo at missed opportunities.

Farrington Hwy

Entering the remote coastline park.

Kaena Point State Park

The team building rope course. Do we need supervision? Adult supervision?

Camp Erdman

Passing by the YMCA camp that was built back in 1926.

Kaena Point State Park

Entering the area that is restricted to 4×4 vehicles with free permits or 2×2 with no permits.

Kaena Point State Park

Allison suggested the scenic coastal trail instead of the monotonous jeep road. Good choice.

Kaena Point State Park

I’m glad we left our 4×4 trucks at home.

Kaena Point State Park

Passing fishermen on the sandy dunes.

Kaena Point State Park

Looking at a train trestle, remnants from the narrow gauge railroad tracks that was built by the Oahu Railway and Land Company back in 1889.

Kaena Point State Park

Mona trying to look natural. Nothing worse than a forced pose.

Kaena Point State Park

Hawaiian monk seal basking on the beach. These mammals are endangered and endemic to the islands. They got their name from their short hairs on their head which resembles a monk.

Kaena Point State Park

Somebody is not a morning mammal.

Kaena Point State Park

Going slightly off trail.

Kaena Point State Park

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.

Kaena Point State Park

Passing a rocky cove where I was encouraged to climb down and stand on a spit of a rock. I’m easily manipulated.

Kaena Point State Park

360 degree photo of the rocky cove.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Entering the reserve that was established in 1983 to protect one of the last intact dune ecosystem in the islands.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Looking at what I believe is the Leina ka ‘Uhane rock, where recently departed souls would take the plunge into the ocean on their way to heaven.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Observing a pair of nesting Laysan albatross and a chick preparing for fledging, where they exercise their impressive six foot wingspans for their maiden voyage out to sea.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Walking on the sandy trail with Kaena Point Ridge in the background.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Approaching the old and the new lighthouse in the loosest sense of the word. The fallen one that was built in 1919, fell victim to vandalism and was toppled circa 1987.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Seeking sheltered shade from the sweltering sun. This place is after all called, the heat for good reason.

Allison’s White Coral Beach

Allison may have got the credit, but Tessa got the photo.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

A chick with incomplete molting of its feathers, giving it an appearance of an old bird.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Exiting the predator-proof fence that was constructed back in 2011 to protect endemic fauna and flora.

Kaena Point State Park

Let’s go this way! Guys?

Kaena Point State Park

Tessa checking out one of the rocky coves that dot the shoreline.

Kaena Point State Park

The others took the high road.

Kaena Point State Park

Walking on the train tracks of history that once ran from Iwilei to Kahuku. The Aluetian Islands earthquake of 1946 spawned a tsunami that destroyed some of the tracks that was rebuilt, but the sugar workers strike of the same year and the rising use of cars lead the company to shut down operations in 1947. Parts of the railroad still saw use by shipyards, tourists and the military until the 1970s. Today, a small section of the rail in Ewa is maintained and operated by the State and the Hawaiian Railway Society.

Kaena Point State Park

Arch your backs for the arch photo!

Kaena Point State Park

Hello from the other side.

Kaena Point State Park

Mona taking in the picturesque views of the rugged Keawa’ula side of the coastline.

Kaena Point State Park

I thought vehicular access was prohibited? Maybe they want to see the coastline from a tumbled and upside down point of view. The driver did compliment my t-shirt by uttering “New Zealand. Yassss.” in the best surfer stoner voice this side of Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Kaena Point State Park

We’re not done yet?

Kaena Point State Park

We left our hearts at Kaena Point.

Kaena Point Space Force Station

Live long and prosper. Get some crazy glue for the girl on the left. Despite the logo for the Space Force appearing to have boldly gone where Star Trek went before, this was based on earlier Air Force Designs. So no George Takei, you will not be getting any royalties. I also messaged our pickup, Jason who was not responding. Oh oh.

Farrington Hwy

Did one of you guys drop something? I also called Chris, who luckily was not hiking and getting over a hangover. Pickup secured.

Farrington Hwy

What goes in.

Farrington Hwy

Must come out.

Farrington Hwy

Shoefie view of the drainage pipe.

Farrington Hwy

Group photo on the pipe wall.

Makua Military Reservation

Passing by the 760 acres that the US Army back in 1964 paid the State of Hawaii a dollar to lease the land for 65 years. Talk about a steal, literally and figuratively. The Army wants to keep the valley for training and others want them out when the lease ends in 2029. The history of this valley for military training stretches back to the 1920s, when WW2 struck the islands, the military took total control of the valley and promised that when the war was over, the land would be returned. Broken promises.

Kaneana Cave

Entering the 150,000 year old cave that was formed by sea erosion and is roughly 100′ high and 450′ deep.

Kaneana Cave

Exploring the upper and lower tunnels of the cave.

Kaneana Cave

Hawaiian legend has it that this cave used to be the home to Nanaue, the Shark God that developed an appetite for human flesh. He would lure unsuspecting travelers into the cave and then kill them and leave them to rot for three weeks before making a meal of them. He was eventually caught and killed.

Kaneana Cave

Another story is that the Hawaiian syndicate used to dispose of their victims here. Their spirits are supposed to still roam and haunt this area.

Kaneana Cave

Hawaiian chanting soon filled the cave chambers which slightly delayed our departure.

Kaneana Cave

Last group photo of the day as we waited for Chris to pick us up. Mahalo again CB!

GPS Tracks

Our hot as heck hike that took us around the island covered 11.12 miles with a fun group. Allison was late for church so she took her hurried leave of us. Post hike meal at Sakura Restaurant, entertainment included.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Allison Banks, Mari Saito, Monaliza Guillermo, 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.

Taking advantage of the three-day weekend, I did another more inclusive exploratory hikes. The more the merrier. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Manoa

Met up with everybody in the back of the vast valley, some chose the paid parking and others chose the public parking. Group photo left to right: Aida, Lilyn, Tessa, Ani, myself, Barry, Quan, Dale, Donna, Marilyn, Edgar, Cat, Narissa and Art.

Paradise Park

We had to detour around perceived homeless voices before entering the now shuttered bird zoo that closed back in 1994. Photo by Art Young.

Paradise Park

Strolling through the mud trail under the canopied tunnel that looped around the decaying park. Photo by Art Young.

Paradise Park

Apparently not all of the birds left the park. Some chose to stay for the free handouts and fallen fruit. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Paradise Park

Ducking underneath the sagging parts of the tunnel.

Paradise Park

Striking or passing resemblance?

Paradise Park

We found a lot of fallen mountain apples and ripening red bananas on the path.

Paradise Park

Walking through just a tiny part of the sprawling 76 acre lot. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Paradise Park

Poking around the abandoned buildings that have fallen to the same fate as others of their kind – graffitied. The TV show “Lost” also used this location to film some of their episodes.

Paradise Park

Going through the interrupted tunnel section. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Paradise Park

Taking our seats for the next Hawaii Stars show. Bring back the bird on the bicycle.

Paradise Park

It was good that we took a collective photo, rather than individual shots. Otherwise, we would have been here all day until closing time. Photo by Art Young.

Paradise Park

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Paradise Park

Birds of a feather flock together or is that monkey see, monkey do?

Paradise Park

Tessa looking for fresh cut flowers. Cheaper than the swap meet. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Paradise Park

Marilyn caught the bouquet of the bird of paradise that left 10 other individuals sorely disappointed.

Paradise Park

Everybody chose a slightly different exit point to get back to our cars.

Manoa

Some of the group went to wash their spikes and then plucked some low hanging avocados. We then all piled into our cars to make the long drive towards the West side, with the exception of Barry who returned home. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NwzWXYEU1w

Video by Edgar Gamiao.

Keawa’ula Beach

We drove to the westernmost tip on the island for our next exploration. Photo by Art Young.

Heart Cave

Looking at the anatomically incorrect shape of the cave with the lava tubes pumping salt water in and out. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Heart Cave

I crawled into one of the inner caves to try and stick my head out into the big cave to get captured by the drone. No such luck. I would have ended up in the churning waters and battered by the barnacle encrusted rocks. I’m sure that would have been a source of amusement for the others, but not myself.

Heart Cave

Different … Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Heart Cave

… perspectives … Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Heart Cave

… of the pumping cave. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Heart Cave

Cat standing on the arch. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Heart Cave

Some of us climbed down into the outer caves. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Heart Cave

Edgar flashed us a shaka from the top where he was … Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Heart Cave

… safe from the rushing waters that completely soaked the lower half of my body.

Heart Cave

Peering up towards the irregularly shaped hole. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Heart Cave

Looking out towards the ocean. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Heart Cave

When the photo shoot is interrupted by the incoming waves. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Heart Cave

Can you see the heart for the people?

Pohaku Kula‘ila‘i

We parked in the sandy lot and walked past the gate to see the stone where locals and tourists alike jump off into the water. A smaller version of Waimea.

Makua Beach

Group photo at the spot where the TV show “Lost” built Jacob’s statue for one of their episodes “The Incident.”

Makua Beach

Checking out the cave, inside and outside.

Pray for Sets

Looking out towards the rock where the weathered words “Pray for Sex” can supposedly still be made out. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Makua Beach

Is somebody going to help me get out? Thanks Dale! I mean, Donna.

Makua Beach

Dale, Donna and Quan basking in nature’s infinity tidepool before we left the beach, prayers unanswered.

Kea’au Beach

We bumped our way to the next beach park down the coastline. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kea’au Beach

The product of erosion. Mother Nature’s work.

Kea’au Beach

High view.

Kea’au Beach

Low view.

Kea’au Beach

Goodbye view. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Kea’au Beach

When the big kid takes over the little kids water slide. We left the park to see turtles on a different street, but they were absent today, so we had a satisfying lunch at Coquito’s before heading to our last stop for the day.

Maili Beach

Is this the arch? No. It’s past the homeless camps, open pit toilets and stray dogs. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Maili Beach

When you reach a certain age, afternoon naps are crucial to doing any activity, strenuous or otherwise. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Maili Beach

Dale on top and Ani on bottom. The arch.

Maili Beach

As somebody pointed out, sequencing is everything.

Maili Beach

Marilyn warming up. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Maili Beach

Quan cooling off. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Maili Beach

Our last group photo for the day.

Maili Beach

We ended our day at Magnolia in Waipahu to all have some refreshing halo-halo’s. Many thanks to Dale, Edgar, Narissa and Quan for shuttling the group around the island and everybody for the fun times. Until the next adventure! Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8A4m0PEvjA

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our hike.

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.

Today we gave our feet a rest and let the rubber meet the road. Met up with Chris, Glenn, Justin, Marvin and Thessa as we explored not so hidden and not so secret spots on the island. Photo by Marvin Chandra.

Hidden Bunkers

Looking at a shortcut up to the mountains. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Hidden Bunkers

Wandering in the woods. Thanks to Cisco and Dale for the info on these hidden bunkers.

Hidden Bunkers

The stairs going down to the dark, dank and deserted bunkers.

Hidden Bunkers

Marvin about to cross over the rubble landslide.

Hidden Bunkers

Skylight. Ventilation to release the trapped musty and foul odors.

Hidden Bunkers

I guess when you have to go, you have to go. I hope they at least wiped and washed their hands.

Hidden Bunkers

Father … Photo by Justin Hirako.

Hidden Bunkers

… and son. That time forgot. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Hidden Bunkers

It was time to leave the concrete corridors littered with spent paint cans, emptied beverage cans and discarded human detritus, inorganic and organic. Group photo by Justin Hirako.

Hidden Bunkers

Almost every square inch of exposed concrete was tagged.

Hidden Bunkers

One last group photo by Justin Hirako.

Hidden Stairs

Thanks to Khym for the info on these stairs.

Hidden Stairs

Playground for adults? Photo by Justin Hirako.

Hidden Stairs

Fake climbing leads to cuts and scrapes. No visit to the karst today. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Hidden Stairs

Real climbing leads to a fake cave. Photos by Marvin Chandra.

Hidden Stairs

Trying not to slip and slide down the chossy rocks. Some were more successful than others. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Hidden petroglyphs

Marvin walking into the light.

Hidden petroglyphs

Coastal erosion constantly at work. Never turn your back on the ocean. She’ll snatch you away in the blink of an eye.

Hidden petroglyphs

Thanks to Marvin for pointing out the non-existent petroglyphs. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Hidden petroglyphs

Rebuilt and retagged.

Manoa treehouse

Go away. No free spirits. Just hippies here. Take your yuppie drink with you as well.

Tantalus treehouse

All trails lead somewhere. Like a treehouse.

Tantalus treehouse

View of Diamond Head, the hardest hike on the island, bar none.

Tantalus treehouse

Creaking and popping. Wait, what is the weight limit? Photo by Justin Hirako.

Tantalus treehouse

Time to leave. Others were waiting to burden the tree with their weight as well.

Tantalus treehouse

I think the weight limit has been exceeded.

Tantalus treehouse

Not all roads lead one back down faster than the trails.

Heart Cave

Blowing kisses. Photo by Justin Hirako

Heart Cave

Who brings an umbrella to a hike. Excuse me, road trip. Marvin, that’s who. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Pipe

Flushed to the light.

Pipe

Inside and outside. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Pipe

One last look before we enjoyed our post hike lunch meal at Tacos and More. No more unlimited salsa.

Tunnels

The mermaid caves were standing room only. So we found our own caves. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Lighthouse

Can we skip the entertainment and head straight to the food?

Lighthouse

Walking in the sand and being sprinkled by the rain.

Lighthouse

Steering hikers clear of obstacles since 1933. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Lighthouse

No sunset for us. We had to make do with the lights from the passing ships. Post hike dinner meal at Denny’s. No banana. No split. Great way to spend the day with good company.