We met up with some mutual friends the second day when we found out they were also on Kauai.

Tip Top

Sunday September 3, 2023

Group photo in front of Tip Top Motel, Cafe, & Bakery that was started back in 1916 by Denjiro Ota, left to right: Ferlino, Val, Aileen, Scott, myself, Cinja, Mateo, Krissy and Alex.

Indy Falls

Walking down the road as Krissy was prepared to make a quick getaway if so needed.

Indy Falls

Bushwhacking our way through the overgrown trail dominated by Guinea grass.

Indy Falls

Cinja crossing Huleia Stream. Slippery when wet.

Indy Falls

The water going over the roughly 15′ drop was not of a voluminous flow.

Indy Falls

Looking at the falls from across the swimming hole.

Indy Falls

Krissy crossing over the falls.

Indy Falls

Standing on top of the falls.

Indy Falls

Climbing down to get a better vantage point.

Indy Falls

Aileen with a more picturesque backdrop.

Indy Falls

Ferlino hanging off a tree. No surprise.

Rice Monument

Group photo in front of the structure erected in 1925 for a man that was appointed the last Governor of Kauai by Queen Lili’uokalani in 1891 and two years later he helped to overthrow her and the Hawaiian monarchy. With friends like that …

Lawai Kai

Our next stop, we parked at a dead end street and dropped down to the crescent shaped beach.

Lawai Kai

The group practicing LNT and just leaving our footsteps.

Lawai Kai

Group photo at the beach where the rich and famous used to come and play. We were neither.

Lawai Kai

Mateo doing a handstand at the secluded and scenic beach.

Poipu

We took a break at the nearby shopping center after being diverted due to a run being held that day. Shrimp and shave ice filled most of our tummies.

Heritage Trail

Our next stop took us to Shipwreck Beach where we took a group photo on top of the 40′ cliff. No jumpers today.

Heritage Trail

Aileen looking for the shipwreck that reputedly disappeared back in 1982.

Heritage Trail

Stepping foot on the Mahaulepu Coastal Trail.

Heritage Trail

We soon dropped down to explore the sand-dune cliffs.

Heritage Trail

Standing in one of the erosional “caves.”

Heritage Trail

Alex peeking around the corner. Nothing to see. Move along.

Heritage Trail

The group making their way out.

Heritage Trail

Aileen climbing back onto the trail.

Heritage Trail

Scott traversing over the edge of the trail that is being constantly eroded and shaped by the winds and waves.

Heritage Trail

Ferlino balancing on the branch. Everybody else just hung from it. Strive to be different. Strive to be Ferlino.

Heritage Trail

Mount Haupu loomed in front of us.

Heritage Trail

Looking out at the cluster of spires composed of limestone and sandstone.

Heritage Trail

Reminds me of the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon in Utah.

Heritage Trail

Ferlino standing amongst the razor sharp pinnacles.

Heritage Trail

Walking around a cove on the beach.

Heritage Trail

Keeping a respectful distance from the Waiopili Heiau.

Heritage Trail

Looking out towards the sea cliffs that are bordered by the Poipu Bay Golf Course.

Heritage Trail

We came across a bunch of Nene or Hawaiian goose at the end of the trail. Kauai is home to roughly 2,400 of these rare birds.

Makauwahi Cave Reserve

Some of us went to get our cars and the rest explored the cave system and also decided to see the imported African spurred tortoises that were brought in to keep the weeds under control.

Makauwahi Cave Reserve

We spotted some that were using the vegetation as cover from the sun and seemingly eating coconut meat. The group split into their separate ways at the end of the day and we picked up Mari from the airport and had dinner at Bull Shed, a steak restaurant by the water.

Kountry Kitchen

Monday September 4, 2023

We woke up on our last day on the Garden Isle and had chicken poop for breakfast before heading out.

Boroboro Bridge

Getting our feet wet. No other way around it.

Boroboro Bridge

We soon came to a gate that was there to block unauthorized motor entry, a couple ATVs roared up behind us and quickly turned around.

Boroboro Bridge

Second stream crossing.

Boroboro Bridge

Our last stream crossing and the bridge that served as passage to higher ground in the event of flooding stood before us.

Boroboro Bridge

Ferlino was the first to cross the dilapidated plantation foot bridge that had snapped guide wires and missing or questionable planks.

Boroboro Bridge

Crossing over the Waimea river as raindrops kept falling on my head.

Boroboro Bridge

Don’t push me!

Boroboro Bridge

We saw a pair of horse riders going back on the trail.

Boroboro Bridge

The raindrops soon increased in intensity and size, so Aileen aborted her bridge crossing. A bridge too far.

Boroboro Bridge

Going back or so we thought. The rain soon stopped falling. That only meant one thing.

Boroboro Bridge

Aileen successfully crossing the bridge as two passing hikers going deeper into the valley looked up and said “No way.”

Boroboro Bridge

Making it back to our car in one piece.

Kalalau Lookout

Group photo at the socked in 4,000′ lookout that was blanketed by clouds.

Kalalau Lookout

I think Ferlino used to be a tree in his former life or a primate that used to climb trees.

Waimea Canyon Lookout

Climbing up to get a better vantage point than the roadside.

Waimea Canyon Lookout

Looking into the vastness and splendor that is the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

Aloha!

We left Kauai with fun memories and a bag of frozen Kauai shrimp that was bought in the Walmart parking lot. Felt like a bad drug deal. Many thanks to Scott again for his generous hospitality this past weekend and the fun company that made the trip worthwhile. A Hui Hou!

Photos taken by Aileen Agustin, Ferlino Carinio, Mari Saito, Scott Dea, 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 King Kamehameha Day Weekend on the only island that was never conquered by the first founder and ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii. However, it has been conquered by wild chickens that are the descendants of jungle fowl, fighting cocks and domestic chickens.

Kauai Airport

King Arthur has come to re-establish the independence of Kauai. He brought along his entourage of Jen, Lilyn, Liz, Marilyn, Quan and myself where his vassal, Scott picked us up.

Konohiki Seafoods

We stopped to have breakfast in Lihue. Sushi breakfast. Just missing the hot tea.

Hanapepe

Brief stop at Kauai’s “biggest little town” which also means crushed bay in Hawaiian.

Hanapepe

Squeezing and swinging our way across the bridge that was built in 1911.

Hanapepe

The load limit of 15 persons at one time was not exceeded. Safety first.

Waimea Canyon

We bypassed the fee paying tourists and gawked in the grandeur that is the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

Waimea Canyon

Some of us left the nosebleed section to take a closer look at the canyon that measures roughly 10 miles long and more than 3,500′ deep.

Waimea Canyon

Scrambling back up the slippery slope.

Pu’u Hinahina Lookout

Out on a limb to gain a different perspective of the canyon.

Lunch at Koke’e Lodge where we just beat the lunch crowd. Some of us got the kamaaina discount without asking. Must have been the t-shirt.

Kalalau Lookout

Group photo at the lookout, left to right: Art, Marilyn, myself, Liz, Jen, Quan, Lilyn and Scott; where one can check out the largest valley on the island. We wanted to get a closer look.

Kalepa Ridge

We descended through the thick brush and tree canopy until the trail became more exposed along with the views that opened up.

Kalepa Ridge

Somebody was looking for alepa ridge? Acapella ridge? Say it enough times and one is bound to get it right.

Kalepa Ridge

The group coming down the trail bordered by low lying shrubs one one side and steep drops on the other side.

Kalepa Ridge

Looking down into the remote valley that was once home to Hawaiians and hippies.

Kalepa Ridge

The exposed crumbly red dirt stood in marked contrast to the greens and blues of the shrubbery and ocean.

Kalepa Ridge

Looking back at the stopping point for the rest of the group while Art, Jen, Lilyn and myself kept the forward momentum going on the trail.

Kalepa Ridge

Following the trail of goat poop as we continued our descent down the ridge.

Kalepa Ridge

The ridge narrowed as we lost elevation but gained splendid views of the valley, ridges and the deep blue ocean.

Kalepa Ridge

Jen climbing down the chossy ridge held together by the dry grass.

Kalepa Ridge

Somebody was wondering what they got themselves into and my ears were ringing. Loud. Very loud.

Kalepa Ridge

I think the ringing stopped as somebody soaked in the magnficient views all around us.

Kalepa Ridge

Looking down into the fluted peaks of the Kalalau cathedral.

Kalepa Ridge

Group photo at the end of the trail. Involuntarily. Sweeping views of Honopu and Kalalau Valleys along with the incessant helicopters circling below us.

Kalepa Ridge

Time to go back up and leave all this panoramic eye candy behind us.

Kalepa Ridge

Hey, where did everybody go? So much for the group photo.

Kalepa Ridge

Perfect timing as clouds started rolling in as we returned to the lookout.

Red Dirt Falls

On our way back down, we stopped at the seasonal waterfalls that are surrounded by red dirt which is a byproduct of the oxidized iron-rich basaltic rocks that are found in this area.

Red Dirt Falls

Hop, skip and a jump. Or something close to that.

Jojo’s Shave Ice

Stopped at the original location in Waimea for some flavored ice dessert that has its origins in Japan.

Salt Pond Park

When you follow the wrong Tacoma and still end up at the family beach that is also home to a salt pond where kanaka maoli families have their own plots to make Hawaiian salt for their own consumption or trading.

Wailua Falls

Quick stop at the 173′ triple falls. I don’t see de plane.

Dinner at Garden Island BBQ. Family style. Pass the rice. Loco moco to go.

Chicken whisperer

Day 2
Birds of a feather flock together. I think the rice had something to do with it. The original plan today was to pile into a zodiac boat and explore sea caves and secluded beaches, high swells took care of that option. We woke up with the crowing chickens and screeching birds to go off-roading in search of the secret tunnel.

Wailua River

Overlooking the only river navigable by boats in the islands.

Secret Tunnel

Never send a AWD to do a 4×4 job.

Secret Tunnel

Russell, we have a problem. Time to turn around and do something else secret.

Wailua

Where there’s a tree, there’s a photo opportunity.

Opaeka’a Falls

The water flow was a bit thin at the 151′ waterfalls.

Secret Falls

Why did the hikers cross the road? Because there was a crosswalk.

Secret Falls

We elected to take the hiking trail rather than the kayaking tour.

Secret Falls

Crossing the Wailua River.

Secret Falls

Passing underneath one of several tree tunnels.

Secret Falls

How high can the water get? Don’t want to be around to find out.

Secret Falls

Scott said there used to be another concrete column on the other side of the river bank and they used to be connected to each other with a tethered cable for river crossings.

Secret Falls

Looking down at the boardwalk that parallels a good chunk of the river.

Secret Falls

Passing King’s Pool whose waterfall was barely trickling.

Secret Falls

Approaching Uluwehi Falls aka Secret Falls aka Not So Secret Falls.

Secret Falls

Group photo in front of the roughly 100′ waterfall. We had the place all to ourselves.

Secret Falls

Water wings. Just got to work on the synchronicity.

Secret Falls

Everybody getting out of the water. I think everybody had their water time.

Secret Falls

Trying our best to feel rooted on the tree stumps.

Secret Falls

Crossing the only rope found on the trail.

Secret Falls

Passing a collection of crimson flowers.

Secret Falls

Two way traffic on the North Fork river crossing.

Secret Falls

Walking through the colorful beached kayaks.

Secret Falls

Back on the road again. Back in the car again.

Olympic Cafe

Eating lunch at the eatery where there is a little bit of everything on the menu. There was discussion of what to hike next. My suggestion of King Kong was repeatedly ignored. I would actually say blatantly.

Sleeping Giant

We settled on hiking Nounou Mountain. The back side. A slipper friendly trail. The shortest and steepest of the three routes up the mountain.

Sleeping Giant

The beginning of the trail was mostly shaded with pine trees planted back in the 1930s.

Sleeping Giant

Switch backing up the trail as it became less shaded and intermittent rocky outcroppings on the way up.

Sleeping Giant

Scott bareback bronc riding the bench on the “chest” of the giant.

Sleeping Giant

After the rodeo was done, we all headed to the summit or “head” of the giant with a detour to the “nose.”

Sleeping Giant

Some went through and others went over.

Sleeping Giant

Exhaling.

Sleeping Giant

Inhaling.

Sleeping Giant

Jen showing off her rock climbing skills.

Sleeping Giant

Standing tall.

Sleeping Giant

Climbing up the most direct route to the top.

Sleeping Giant

Group photo on the “nose.”

Sleeping Giant

The rest of the group wrapped up their photo shoot and made their way to join us at the “head.”

Sleeping Giant

Spin the hiker at the summit.

Sleeping Giant

Going back down the West trail.

Sleeping Giant

Looking back at the giant that has yet to be roused from his slumber.

Hee Fat General Store

We sampled some of the best shave ice that most of us has had in the islands.

Kapa’a

Fallen angel. Can somebody pick her up please?

Wahine Weenies

No weenies for the wahines.

Island Craves

Dinner was pizza with most of the toppings. Outside seating. Closing time.

Kalalea Mountain

Day 3
Woke up early on our last day on the island and drove North to take in a few more sights before flying home. Trying to separate King Kong from the ridge line. The mountains was also the background for the opening scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Kilauea Bakery & Pizzeria

We had breakfast at this cozy shop tucked away in a shopping center. Forget the pastries and get the stromboli. Veggie or sausage, it doesn’t matter. Thank me later.

Turtle Cave

Climbing our way down the short and steep hill.

Turtle Cave

Walking in low tide. No swimming needed.

Turtle Cave

A Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle (Honu) swimming in the shallow waters.

Turtle Cave

Mouth of the cave.

Turtle Cave

Looking out towards the ocean.

Turtle Cave

Shadows in the cave.

Turtle Cave

Keeping our distance from the endangered species. Look but don’t touch.

Turtle Cave

Low tide reflections.

Turtle Cave

Looking out the other cave entrance/exit.

Turtle Cave

Ocean view on the other side.

Turtle Cave

Art overlooking the tidepools with captured fish and missed photo opportunities.

Turtle Cave

We left without any attached barnacles. Our next stop to Queen’s Bath was derailed due to us being the 11th and 12th vehicles. No tandem parking.

Hanalei Pier

Stepping foot on the pier that was built back in 1892.

Hanalei Pier

Somebody’s buns hit the bottom. Not going back for seconds.

Hanalei Pier

Group photo at the 340′ pier.

Kuhio Hwy

Who let the dogs out? Scott’s truck must have been a postal truck in its past life.

Maniniholo Dry Cave

Somebody went to get cobwebs on his head in the cave that was formed from wave erosion when the sea level was higher and others picked avocadoes from the low hanging branches.

Blue Room

Climbing down into the Waikapalae Wet Cave that was also featured as the fountain of youth in the movie, Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides.

Blue Room

Looking up at the hanging vines and roots that drop down from the cliff to the cave.

Blue Room

The group making their way down to the water.

Blue Room

Scott said the water levels have dropped noticeably over the years and he urged us not to go into the water as he has had to pull a couple dead bodies from these waters over the years.

Blue Room

The cold water must have numbed their hearing. The sunlight bounces off the caves calcite rocks which gives the waters a blue tint.

Haena State Park

Walking through the taro patches populated by wild chickens and Nene (Hawaiian Goose).

Kalalau Trailhead

A hike that’s definitely worth repeating.

Ke’e Beach

Want to pet my tako (octopus)?

Ke’e Beach

A scene straight out of a B-horror movie, spider hikers fanning out on the exposed tree roots. Straight to DVD.

Last meal on the island was at Princeville Foodland where price means no object to the locals. We are not locals. Rich locals. We also had another helping of shave ice from Hee Fat before being dropped off at the airport by Russell and Scott.

We left Kauai full of fun memories and shave ice. Good times had by all. Special thanks to Scott for his generous hospitality and playing tour guide to our group over the weekend. Mahalo to Jacob for the rides to and from the airport.

Photos taken by Art Young, Elizabeth Barnaby, Jen Odence, Lilyn Avendano, Marilyn Bermudez, Quan Haberstroh, Scott Dea 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.

The next day, we all woke up refreshed, but apparently not refreshed enough to catch the sunrise this time around.

Ono Family Restaurant

We all ate a hearty breakfast and nobody got left behind this time for going to the bathroom.

Kauai Shores Hotel

Hiking gear comes in handy when somebody can’t figure out how to get back to the room.

Kamalani Kai

Exploring the climbing and bridge structure built back in 2001 by Tim Bynum.

Kamalani Kai

Going down the slides built for kids and kids at heart.

Kamalani Kai

Jump shot.

Hanapepe Swinging Bridge

We joined the rest of the disappointed tourists to find out that the century old suspension bridge was closed for visits.

Polihale State Park

Panoramic view of the Na Pali Coast Mountains at the most Western point in the islands that the public can visit.

Polihale State Park

Panoramic view of the unprotected shore.

Polihale State Park

Group shot on the sand dunes populated with pop up tents and frisbee throwing beach goers.

Bobbleheads

Bill made sure that he got his money’s worth out of the rental Jeep as we bounced down the road much to the astonished surprise of an older couple driving past us.

Waipo’o Falls

We drove to a less crowded spot to take in the vast views of Waimea canyon and her cascading waterfalls.

Waipo’o Falls

Group shot with the 800′ double tiered waterfall in the background.

Pu’u O Kila Lookout

Looking out towards the highest spot on the island that feeds the waterfalls that cascade down to the Blue Hole. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Kalalau Lookout

Chris looking out towards Kalalau Valley. Photo by Mia Garrison.

Red Dirt Falls

The falls had run dry so we just enjoyed the scenic views on the other side of the road. Photo by Bill Yogi.

Tree Tunnel

We even had time to drive down the tunnel of Eucalyptus trees that were planted back in 1911.

All pau

The day was drawing to a close so we had our last meal in the overpriced town of Poipu before heading back home to reality. Thanks to everybody for making it another great weekend well spent.

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.