We took a break from the mountains and pounded the pavement today. Ever since I had read about Denby Fawcett’s hike around the island back in 2013, I had always wanted to follow in her footsteps so to speak.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

The group pushed off from Chico’s house but not before we had to take an obligatory group photo as the sun started to brighten the morning skies.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

Walking past the tree silhouetted by the fiery sky.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

Trail snacks. Come back when enough ethene gas has been released to turn the starches to sugars.

Kawainui Canal

The highest peak on the Ko’olau Mountain Range was strikingly clear, the day we decided to hike below its shadow.

Kainui Drive

Walking down the street lined with coconut palm trees, which are not native to Hawaii despite what many think.

Kainui Drive

Muscovy duck out of water.

South Kainalu Drive

Motivational message from across the street. “You are amazing, remember that.”

South Kainalu Drive

Passing a collection of tiki statues that were arranged in a semi-circle, perhaps to mark the boundary of somebody’s property, like back in the old days? Except this is not your ancestor’s heiau.

Kawainui Canal

Draining the marsh into the bay.

Wanaao Road

Somebody detoured to the yard sale to find edible medicines.

Ka’elepulu Canal

Draining the estuary into the bay.

Keolu Drive

At 15,000 square feet, Keolu Skatepark is one of the largest on the island.

Keolu Drive

Walking up the hill where the three peaks of Olomana, Paku’i and Ahiki loomed ahead of us.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Passing a highly invasive roadkill. Introduced from India in 1883 by sugar plantation owners to control the rat population that was eating their sweet exports for lunch, but instead the carnivorous critters wrecked havoc on the native fauna and flora to this day.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Introduced in 1955 by Ernest Morgado, huli-huli (turn) chicken has been a perennial fundraiser fixture around the island.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Somebody needs to take the Duke Aiona banner down. Old news.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Sharing the shoulder with bicyclists.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Can somebody come out and play?

Kahawai Stream

Passing the somewhat sad looking stream and across the street was Shima’s Market which is the only grocery store in this Windward community that was also acquired by Times Supermarket in 2008. We also dropped in at Waimanalo Shopping Center to check out the statue of Akebono, the Waimanalo native who went on to become one of the grand champions in sumo wrestling in Japan, but found out it was moved years ago to some spot in Waikiki.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Will the real bus stop please ring the bell to get off. We also passed Bellows Air Force station which serves as a training and recreation area for the military.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Passing the 27 acres where horseback mounted riders still play the “Sport of Kings” on the weekends.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Walking through the rural community where for the most part, country is still country.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Does anybody have a quarter? Do I even have a ring tone? Can I get operator assistance?

Waimanalo Beach Park

We stopped pounding the pavement at the bay that has the longest uninterrupted white sand beach on the island. Thanks to Lilia who arrived at the perfect time to pick us up.

GPS Tracks

Our 10.6 mile walk was the first installment on circling the island that was done with color-coordinated good company. Post hike meal at Kalapawai Cafe & Deli where the fresh catch was the last dish to land on the table.

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our Windward Walk.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-C5NyDXStM

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Allison Banks, Chico Cantu, Edgar Gamiao, Mari Saito, Marilyn Bermudez, Quan Haberstroh, 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.