Jeremy was our guide today in an area that he said was like his backyard or the back of his hand or the back of his head.

Kahuku

The group getting their safety briefing. Pay attention and take notes. Never mind the lunch time.

Kahuku

Interrupting Cristy’s nature call to take our group photo.

Kahuku

Walking up the road that leads to the abandoned buildings. You mean we can drive up there? Are we not hikers?

Kahuku

I hear you knocking (rocking) but you can’t come in.

Kahuku

WTF? This is not Nutella splashed all over me!

Kahuku

Cardio climb.

Kahuku

Off-roading down the trail.

Kahuku

Detour to get a view of the surrounding areas.

Kahuku

No rest for the weary. We must keep persevering despite being exhausted. Trying to stay true to the saying.

Kahuku

Plan B. Bushed but not beaten.

Kahuku

Connecting to the other ridge.

Kahuku

Alexis trying, unsuccessfully, to convey the feeling of anxiety that was coined in the 1920s.

Kahuku

The final push to the abandoned facility.

Kahuku Nike Missile Site Complex

Checking out the water tank as we explored the administration area of the site that operated from 1961 to 1970.

Kahuku Nike Missile Site Complex

Using ones imagination when attempting to engage in physical exercise with a non-functioning machine.

Kahuku Nike Missile Site Complex

Exploring Building 84 that was built to accommodate the addition of the HIP AR (High Power Acquisition Radar) equipment. Jeremy said that on a prior visit the building and its contents were all in order and now it’s completely trashed by others.

Kahuku Nike Missile Site Complex

Public school graduate.

Kahuku Nike Missile Site Complex

Checking out Building 70 that served as the Frequency Changer and Generator Building for the Nike missile battery.

Kahuku Nike Missile Site Complex

Walking in the foothills of Kahuku.

Kahuku Nike Missile Site Complex

Entering Building 80 that housed the cable system that connected the radar trailers to each other and to the launch site.

Kahuku Nike Missile Site Complex

Exploring what is considered the most intact of the original four Nike missile sites that once operated on this island.

Kahuku Nike Missile Site Complex

Going inside Building 63 which was the home of the pencil pushers.

Kahuku Nike Missile Site Complex

The most important building that was next door was Building 67, the place where the soldiers ate and slept.

Kahuku Nike Missile Site Complex

Do you want the lunch special? Nothing for me. Lost my appetite.

Kahuku

Most of the group had their fill of old and musty buildings so they passed on hiking down to the Launcher Area and elected to go back to our cars. Back in the day, Alaska and Hawaii were the only locations were the Nike-Hercules missiles were test fired. In 1966, a live fire test exploded over the Pacific Ocean and rained metal fragments on the town of Kahuku.

Kahuku

Running across dirt bikers using the track area that was established back in 1971.

Kahuku

Old skool. IYKYK.

Kahuku

Group photo at one of the few scenic spots on the trail.

Kahuku

Two way traffic on the road.

Kahuku

Chico pushing the next generation over the mound.

All pau

Sometimes it’s best to take things literally in life.

Haleiwa

Our exploratory hike of one the relics left over from the Cold War covered 5.78 miles through the foothills of Kahuku. Thanks to Jeremy and everybody for the fun hike. Post hike meal at Teddy’s Bigger Burgers where outside food and tax payer funded poke were welcome.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Alexis Catarina, Chico Cantu, Cristy CM, Jeremy Cannone, Kenny Lui, 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.

We spent Kamehameha Day doing our perimeter walk #5 around the island.

Kualoa Park

Early hiker gets the sunrise view.

Kualoa Park

Aida, Mari, Tess and myself boarded the bus as the others failed to wake up or became ill.

Kahuku

We got off the bus, checked out some wood carvings and pushed off on our walk.

Kahuku

Passing by shrubs of naupaka with their distinctive lower half flowers. The other upper half flowers live in the mountains. Hawaiian folklore spins it as lovers separated by a jealous god.

Kahuku

The golf ball originally started out as a wooden ball, then leather balls filled with cows’ hair, then leather pouches filled with chicken or goose feathers, then balls made from dried sap from the Malaysian sapodilla tree, then rubber thread wound into a ball covered by sap from the balata tree, and finally the modern golf ball we know today which is made from polymer blends.

Turtle Bay Golf

Good morning from the Rank Amateurs. What a day this is going to be. The early start with the unknown, straight off the streets, the skies are a canvas of colors, the air is thick with anticipation. The putt for birdie.

Turtle Bay Golf

He made the shot with his hybrid shaft topped with a MAX 360 head. The crowd of two was nonplussed at the display of low level athletic ability. He flashed the shaka, which supposedly has its origins with a Kahuku Sugar Mill worker who lost his three middle fingers and would wave his disfigured hand at kids who soon imitated him.

Turtle Bay Golf

Got my first yellow shirt. I’m going to Disneyland!

Turtle Bay Resort

Standing in front of the sprawling resort that covers 858 acres and was built in 1972 with the intentions of becoming the state’s first legal casino. Needless to say, that didn’t happen as the illegal game rooms continue to flourish in its absence.

Kahuku

Stopped at a fruit and vegetable stand to gawk at the sky high prices and Aida settled on a bag of cut pineapple slices. Where’s the pizza?

Kahuku

Dry run. Flat elevation. Daytime. Easy peasy.

Kahuku

Do they have a walking hiker ranch as well?

Kawela Bay

Looking out towards the offshore islet, Kukaimanini. The place was certainly living up to its name, the heat.

Kahuku

No wonder business is not booming.

Pupukea

Standing in front of what used to be called the Sheepside Skatepark that was in use from 2016-2022. I believe these abandoned buildings were part of the other ruins …

Pupukea

… across the highway. The buildings were part of the Waialee Home for Wayward Boys that was operated by the Hawaii Board of Education from 1906-1947. The mauka buildings were later purchased in 1954 and became the Crawford Convalescent Home, which is supposedly still in operation. The makai buildings were left to rot and return back to Mother Nature.

Kahuku Motocross Track

I didn’t know they added a trail for mopeds.

Pupukea

Passing through a little red pocket in a deeply saturated blue state.

Ted’s Bakery

We had to make a quick stop at this iconic North Shore eatery that has been in business since 1987.

Sunset Beach

Group photo at the two mile beach known as Paumalu in Hawaiian.

Pupukea

Some swung better than others.

Pupukea

Share the path, or they’ll just run you over.

Banzai Pipeline

I’m glad I’m not the only illiterate person on the beach, home to big wave surfing in the winter.

Rock Piles

Passing through another famous surf break.

Pupukea

The girls got their swings, I got my banyan tree.

Pupukea

If the slippah doesn’t fit, you must acquit.

Pupukea

Swinging the day away.

Shark’s Cove

Looking out at the lava beach that is popular with snorkelers and scuba divers due to the myriad of caves and tunnels underneath the water.

Pupukea Beach Park

Taking a bathroom break along with the scuba divers.

Pupukea

Stopping at the oldest and largest supermarket chain in the islands for some cold refreshments.

Three Tables

Looking out at low tide with the exposed flat reef which gives the place its name, is another popular spot with snorkelers and swimmers due to the underwater lava tubes and marine life.

Waimea Bay

The birthplace of big wave surfing. The winter waves were first ridden here in 1957 and the rest is history. During summertime, the waters are calm and clear.

Pupukea

Watching Waimea River drain into Waimea Bay.

Waimea Valley

Across the street was once the valley of the priests that has has since been turned into a tourist attraction showcasing the botanical garden, waterfalls and pool.

Waimea Bay

Watching the swimmers jumping off table rock to make a splash. It’s hard to believe, but a 1928 photo showed the same rock surrounded by sand. Beach erosion is real.

Waimea Bay

Looking back into the bay that was the site of Oahu’s first recorded contact with Europeans back in 1779, after British ships stopped here to get fresh water after the Big Island battle that resulted in Captain Cook’s death.

All pau

Taking a group shoefie while we waited for our bus ride.

GPS Tracks

Our hot as heck hike covered 10.3 miles that was filled with interesting pit stops and with a fun group.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Mari Saito, 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.