Due to popular demand, does two people count? The perimeter walk around the island was re-started. Clockwise.

Waimanalo Beach Park

Mahalo to Ferlino who picked up Aida, Akira, Mari, Robin, Tessa and myself from Taco Bell and shuttled us to the area that was probably one of the first spots on the island explored by Polynesians, where Dave and Susan were waiting to round out the group.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Walking into the blinding sun, better than driving.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

The group trying to catch a glimpse of the turtle in the water.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Hello? We are waiting for our Presidential Letter of Appreciation. Hello?

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Walking past the dead chicken as we made our way down the beach transit corridor.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

High tide.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Look who caught up with us after catching the sunrise at Koko Crater.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Metaphorically speaking we are all just pawns in the game of life.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Chris texting a photo to the State DOT Highways Division.

Makai Pier

Transitioning from asphalt to sand as we made our way to the facility built by the State in the 1960s to support marine research.

Makai Pier

Group photo underneath the 600′ long pier.

Makai Pier

Group photo against the Windward backdrop.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. I’m not sure that includes adding rocks to a plastic package to make it something that it is not.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

I think somebody was not too happy that Chris was taking over his side hustle.

Makapuu Beach

Looking out towards the seabird sanctuary that was once actually inhabited by rabbits in the 1880s after it was introduced by John Cummins, owner of Waimanalo Plantation, as a hobby as he didn’t want them to damage his sugarcane crops. Instead they destroyed the ecosystem on the island and were removed in the 1970s.

Makapuu Beach

Ferlino jumping over an rock enclosure that was humming with activity.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Back on the highway.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Somebody was having a bad hair day. Let’s make it right with a hairbrush from the highway.

Makapuu Beach

Don’t drink and hike.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Just hanging out.

Makapuu Lookout

Leaving the scenic lookout for climbing pastures.

Makapuu Lookout

We climbed past WW2 pillboxes embedded in the lava landscape as we made our way up.

Makapuu Lookout

Akira climbing in the footsteps of Alex Honnold. Baby Honnold.

Makapuu Lookout

Looking out towards Rabbit (Manana) Island. In 1904, it was one of the spots being considered for the lighthouse that would later be built at Makapuu Point.

Makapuu Lookout

Forced perspective.

Makapuu Lookout

Chris and Ferlino decided to go off-trail.

Makapuu Lookout

Partial group photo at the top of the lookout.

Makapuu Lookout

Taking the most direct route down. Is this where the KST ends or begins? Inquiring minds want to know.

Makapuu Lookout

Should I go this way or that way?

Makapuu Lookout

Selfie with the navigational aid that sits on the most southeastern point on the island.

Makapuu Lookout

David and Susan climbing their way down to more level footing.

Makapuu Lookout

Ferlino away from the crowds on the trail.

Makapuu Lookout

Susan behind the barrier whose origins date back to WW1.

Makapuu Lighthouse

Group photo of the 46′ tall lighthouse that was built in 1909 and fully automated in 1974. Thanks to the USCG “Coastie” who happened to intersect with our group.

Makapuu Lighthouse

Looking back at the concrete tower that houses the largest hyperradiant lens in the country. When the lighthouse was finished in 1908, the lens had to be hauled up piece by piece with block and tackle from a ship down below as the road had not yet been built.

Makapuu Lighthouse Trail

An aerial view of the site in 1959 when the lighthouse was operated by the USCG until 1974. This area was used by Federal marshals to protect witnesses who were testifying against local crime boss, Wilford “Nappy” Pulawa during 1974-1975. He was sent to a mainland prison for two years on tax evasion. Same way they got Al Capone. Don’t mess with the IRS. In 1987, Dennis “Bumpy” Kanahele occupied the area and was later evicted after a standoff with HPD SWAT. The State later razed all the dwellings except for the still standing oil house. The same Bumpy Kanahele who would go on to occupy Makapuu Beach in 1993 for over a year before Governor Waihee hammered a deal that gave Kanahele and his group 45 acres above Waimanalo in exchange for ending his occupation. Photo by the USCG.

Makapuu Lighthouse Trail

Some folks need to get with the program.

Kaiwi Shoreline Trail

Going off the beaten path.

Kaiwi Shoreline Trail

Approaching the rock formation called Kapaliokamoa or cliff of the chicken as we made our way down the rocky trail.

Pele’s Chair

Climbing up against gravity.

Pele’s Chair

It’s called a chair for a reason.

Pele’s Chair

Partial group photo on top of the volcanic rock that bears a passing resemblance to a chair that was the last seat of Pele, volcano goddess, before she left the island.

Pele’s Chair

Going with the flow of gravity.

Alan Davis Beach

Robin was the only one who decided to test out the waters.

Alan Davis Beach

The group descending down to the secluded Kaho’ohaihai Inlet, before rambling off into the dry grassy fields.

Kaiwi Shoreline Trail

Balancing on the bridge over Kaloko Inlet. Best when medicated.

Kaiwi Shoreline Trail

Leaving the trail as we made our way back onto the highway.

Sandy Beach

The group taking a much needed sugar break from the punishing sun.

Sandy Beach

Culvert view.

Halona Blowhole Lookout

There was a map of the island which would come in handy if we were lacking a book, AllTrails or critical thinking.

Halona Cove

Looking down into the small protected bay also known as Cockroach Cove and Eternity Beach.

Umi Mamori Jizo

Akira standing next to the Japanese Fishing Shrine that was erected in 1940 to “protect” local fishermen. It was eventually “taken over” by Vietnamese Buddhists in 2007 who keep up the place and leave food and flower offerings.

Bamboo Ridge

Puka view.

Bamboo Ridge

Looking out towards Halona Blowhole. She wasn’t spouting today.

Bamboo Ridge

360 degree perspective.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Walking on the narrow shoulder as we walked into incoming traffic with only inches of asphalt separating us.

Kawaiakaiea Bridge

Chris and Ferlino decided to explore a bridge nearby.

Kawaiakaiea Bridge

Graffiti galore.

Ihiihilaukea Bridge

The majority of bridges in this area was built in the 1930s.

Hanauma Bay

Mari next to the entrance of one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island. The park is now regulated and restricted to 720 guests a day, down from its highs of 3,000 to 10,000 visitors a day.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

I think your safety check is expired.

All pau

We ended our hike in the parking lot at Taco Bell. Thanks to Robin for dropping everybody back at Waimanalo Beach.

GPS Tracks

Our re-started perimeter walk covered 9.8 miles with a fun group. Post hike meal at Greek Marina. It’s all Greek to me.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, David and Susan Katz, Ferlino Carinio, Mari Saito, Robin Farr, 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.

Still stuck on baby hikes. Thanks to my ribs. Parked at the Makapu’u lookout, where Mari started her hike on the lighthouse trail and I started from the lookout. We would meet at the top.

Makapuu Lookout

Leaving the lookout behind, as I made my way up near the sea cliffs.

Kikaida bunker

One of many bunkers left over from WW2.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

No rock climbers?

Approaching the Makapu’u crag, which has about 10 routes going up. Take your pick.

On belay?

Looking out towards Manana island, a restricted seabird sanctuary.

Bunker hill

A complex of three bunkers commands the high ground.

Lighthouse lookout

Making my way down to the lookout overlooking the lighthouse.

Love locks

Skirted around the lookout to start my climb down to the lighthouse. Good samaritans have cut off most of the love locks that were placed on the lookout fence. Two that missed the bolt cutters.

Makapuu ridge

The fun way going to the lighthouse.

Makapu’u Point

The easternmost point on the island. This point is actually the end of the Eastern Ko’olaus.

Bulging eye

Property of the US Coast Guard.

The lighthouse trail

The other trail to get to the lighthouse.

Lighthouse lookout

A drone was lazily buzzing overhead as I climbed back up.

He works there

That’s what a mother was telling her kid when they spotted me coming back up the ridge.

Lookout view

Mari and myself at the lookout.

Whale watching season

No humpback whales spotted.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Going back down

The long boring road back down.

GPS Tracks

The short and sweet morning hike around the Makapu’u Point area covered 2.55 miles. Post hike meal at Sweet E Café. My wife loves their stuffed French toast. Just don’t love the long wait.