We killed two birds with one stone by having our #15 perimeter walk and celebrating Tessa’s birthday all wrapped up in one day.

Hale Cantu

The group met up at Chico’s house while Santa checked out his Harley with his two elves as he gets ready for his Christmas Toys for Tots ride.

He’eia Kea Boat Harbor

Thanks to Blaine, David and Lilia for shuttling us to the only public pier on Kaneohe Bay to start our walk.

He’eia Kea Boat Harbor

Nothing beats watching a rainbow while sitting on your own personal potty. Autographed no less. Happy Birthday Tessa!

Kamehameha Highway

The rain started coming down on our walk. Doesn’t that trigger a Pavlovian conditioned response? Tessa is prepared.

He’eia Estuary

Cutting across one of 30 coastal reserves in the country that was established in 2017 to protect the 1,385 acres of coastal wetlands.

Kamehameha Highway

Exiting back to paved paradise.

Kamehameha Highway

Sharing the road and sidewalks.

Windward Mall

In Hawaii, Santa doesn’t get a plate of cookies, he gets a box of malasadas. Thanks to Kenny for buying us the sugar glazed Portugese doughnuts.

Windward Mall

Group photo in front of one of five Leonard’s malasada wagons spread across the island. Photobombers welcome.

Windward Mall

Rounding up Santa’s sleigh and reindeers.

Windward Mall

Santa and his nine reindeer all carted up and nowhere to go.

Windward Mall

You know Kenji and Aida and Roger and Allison
Cristy and Marilyn and Susan and Aileen
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all?

Tessa the yellow-bucket Reindeer
Had a very shiny seat
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it pilau

Windward Mall

Then one humid Hawaiian day
Santa came to say
“Tessa, with your bucket so stink
Won’t you guide my sleigh today?”

Then how the reindeer held their noses
As they shouted out with glee
“Tessa the yellow-bucket Reindeer
You’ll go down in history”

Habilitat Hawaii Christmas Trees

No discount for Santa. They do offer assistance to people with funny faces.

Kamehameha Highway

When one has choices.

Kamehameha Highway

Snack break at one of 85,000 7-11 stores worldwide.

Kamehameha Highway

No! I don’t want to be your reindeer!

Kamehameha Highway

Group photo with the public display on the library and police station grounds.

Kaneohe

We detoured off the highway and took the side streets where we saw a muscle car and Christmas decorations.

Kaneohe

The group briskly walking through the passageway that cut through the neighborhood as we didn’t want to be reported for loitering.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

Dale exiting the passageway onto the road that was funded in 1935 to create a scenic route along the bay.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

Picturesque view of the largest sheltered body of water in the islands with the rugged Kualoa Mountains in the background.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

Passing the Kokokahi site of the YWCA that was founded in the 1920s to promote racial unity.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

Mari with the world famous beagle decked out in his holiday clothes who first made his appearance in 1950.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

Santa parachuting into the neighborhood to deliver presents to the nice kids. Naughty kids get a lump of clean, beautiful coal courtesy of Trump.

Kaneohe Yacht Club

Group photo in front of the oldest continuously operating yacht club that was founded in 1924.

Kaneohe Yacht Club

Before and after.

Kaneohe Yacht Club

Pier photo.

All pau

Our walk has ended but the fun is just starting. Congratulations to Aida for finishing the last chunk she needed to complete the entire 140 mile perimeter walk around the island.

GPS Tracks

Our birthday perimeter walk #15 covered 6.65 miles. It was actually slightly higher, but edited out of consideration for the annoying church slut.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veWikbFzB6g

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our perimter walk.

Hale Cantu

Warming up our pitcher’s arms.

Hale Cantu

A modern take of the TP tradition. These TPs are worth their weight in greenbacks.

Hale Cantu

Next time there is a hurricane warning, you know who is not making a run to Costco.

Hale Cantu

Thanks to everybody for bringing ono food for the pot luck and Mari for baking the birthday cake.

Hale Cantu

The pool shark known as Waialua Skinny showing us his skills.

Hale Cantu

Jingle Bells. Chico won but being the gracious host gave the prize to the runner up, Kenny.

Hale Cantu

Watching corn kernels explode into popcorn. The first commercial popcorn machine was invented in 1885, but the practice dates back thousands of years with the Native Americans.

Hale Cantu

LCR. Guess who won? Again! Karma must not be a bitch.

Hale Cantu

Kanak attack. Time to go home. Mahalo to Chico and Lilia for graciously hosting us at their home for Tessa’s birthday party. Thanks to everybody that came and participated and made it a fun day.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Aileen Agustin, Akira Suzuki, Andrew Hirai, Chico Cantu, Chris Bautista, Cristy CM, Dale Yoshizu, Dave and Susan Katz, Edgar Gamiao, Kenny Lui, Mari Saito, Marilyn Bermudez, Roger Schiffman, Scott and Mateo Dea, 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 all met up at He’eia State Park but the gates were still closed, so instead of staying parked on the blind curve, we moved to He’eia Pier to start our walk.

He’eia Pier

Fishing for rainbows. They were biting today.

Kamehameha Highway

Wait for us! The bus was 10 minutes early, must be a new driver.

Waiahole Poi Factory

Come back in two hours for that Sweet Lady of Waiahole.

Kamehameha Highway

Going over the rickety bridge that crosses Waiahole Stream.

Kamehameha Highway

Lucky there’s no cop around to give us tickets. We need to slow it down as we need to be aware of vehicular safety.

Kamehameha Highway

Dale found a penny heads up on the side of the road which meant a lucky penny which in turn meant good luck. The superstition originated when ancient people thought metals were gift from gods and could ward off evil. Heads represent good and tails represent evil. Yin and yang. Must be true as we didn’t get tickets for speeding on the road.

Kamehameha Highway

Blending in with the graffiti.

Kamehameha Highway

Looking out towards Kalahaku Teeth, a Windward ridge less traveled.

Kahalu’u Stream

Chico trying to go “live.”

7-11

Only one supported local by going to the Hygienic Store, the rest of us got our snacks from one of 85,000 convenience stores across the globe. We found out that chickens love chichi dango, who would’ve known?

Kamehameha Highway

Passing by several shrubs of the Puakenikeni or ten-cent flower, as that is what they sold for in leis during the late 1800s to mid 1900s. The fruits are not edible and are best picked to produce more flowers.

Laenani Beach Park

A pet goat. Do not pet the goat.

Laenani Beach Park

Group photo sans the photographer.

Laenani Beach Park

Drone view before being interrupted by the caretaker.

Laenani Beach Park

The guys trying out their athletic prowess, only one got the cigar. Granted, he had youth and height on his side.

Laenani Beach Park

If Groot can’t be here physically, he can be here in sticker form.

Kamehameha Highway

We watching you brah! Put down that ulu (breadfruit) now!

Kamehameha Highway

Tessa found three dimes, but they were all tails up. Maybe she should donate it back to the road.

Kamehameha Highway

I got to stop rocking the boat.

Kamehameha Highway

Red Skull got his feet wet to swing the day away.

Kamehameha Highway

The girls decided to keep dry and take a photo with the nearby tree.

Kamehameha Highway

How many people can fit on this creaking platform before we all get wet? Let’s not find out.

Kamehameha Highway

Cristy looking out towards the small boats anchored in Kaneohe Bay.

Kamehameha Highway

Drone view with no interruptions.

Kamehameha Highway

Halloween is still dead and decomposing in Kahalu’u.

Kamehameha Highway

Where are the sidewalks when you need them?

Kamehameha Highway

Kenny’s balance was good enough to keep him dry.

He’eia Kea Harbor

Group photo at the only public pier and boat ramp on Kaneohe Bay.

GPS Tracks

Our shortest and #14 perimeter walk in terms of time and miles covered 4.9 miles through the Windward coast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxbeI8pmhYI

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our perimeter walk.

He’eia Kea Pier General Store & Deli

We had our lunch on the waterfront. Chico, Edgar, Marilyn, Mateo and Scott decided to not continue with the group to drive over to the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park.

Byodo-In Temple

The rest of us managed to find parking here and there and got free admission to the smaller scale replica of the original Byodo-In Temple near Kyoto, because we have “relatives buried in the park.”

Byodo-In Temple

How many people does it take to ring the three-ton peace bell? Must be a State job.

Byodo-In Temple

Burning incense to purify the mind and surroundings as we entered the Phoenix Hall that houses the 18′ Lotus Buddha.

Byodo-In Temple

Feeding frenzy.

Byodo-In Temple

Group photo in front of the temple that was built in 1968 to mark the centennial anniversary of Japanese immigration to Hawaii.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Alexis Catarina, Chico Cantu, Cristy CM, Dale Yoshizu, Edgar Gamiao, Kenny Lui, Mari Saito, Marilyn Bermudez, Scott and Mateo Dea, 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 all met up at the Kualoa Beach Park to start our perimeter walk this morning.

Kualoa Beach Park

A certain furry four legged hiker joined the group of Aida, Akira, Alexis, Chico, Cristy, Mari, Tessa and myself on the sprawling 153 acres.

Kualoa Beach Park

Big shadows and small shadow.

Kualoa Beach Park

Going over the wall. Legally.

Kualoa Beach Park

Walking on the beach with the islet of Mokoli’i in the background. The island used to be part of Kualoa Ranch as it was purchased in 1850 from King Kamehameha III for $1,300.00 ($53,996.00 today). It was purchased by the City in the 1970s.

Kualoa Beach Park

Stumping for Groot. Represent.

Secret Island

Arriving at the NOT secret and NOT island. It’s just a beach with certain amenities that you can only use if you’re part of a tour package.

Secret Island

Group photo at one of the docks with Kualoa Mountain in the background.

Secret Island

Walking over to the next dock.

Secret Island

Disappointed the sign doesn’t say “Secret Island.” Marketing 101.

Secret Island

Brah, you get license to drive boat? Nevamine!

Secret Island

Survey says … WOOF!

Kualoa Beach Park

On our return trip back, we were approached by these two braddahs who asked who owns the Black Honda? One guess and one guess only. Thanks to Charlie and Elijah for their aloha!

Kualoa Beach Park

Talking story with Elijah, turns out his dream is to hike from Pupukea to Waiahole.

Kualoa Beach Park

Seeing is believing. I have been saying for years that chickens live and sleep in trees. Nobody believed me until today.

Kamehameha Highway

Groot piggybacking on Chico.

Kamehameha Highway

Some of us wanted free coffee, so we had to recall Alexis who had zoned in on her music and was far ahead of the group.

The Macadamia Nut Outlet

Group photo with the obliging statues.

The Macadamia Nut Outlet

Sampling the free coffee and macadamia nuts.

Kamehameha Highway

Back on the road. And he’s got a dog too. Double threat.

Coral Kingdom

Stopping at the tourist trap, I mean spot on the way. The huli-huli chicken sure smelled good.

Coral Kingdom

You need smoke in order to follow it.

Coral Kingdom

Browsing and puffing and drinking.

Kamehameha Highway

It sure is hot today.

Waikane

We turned off the highway to do a short and easy hike. Those words will come back to haunt me. Saw a hapai (pregnant) pig with her own guard dog. Nobody is messing with this pua’a (pig).

Waikane

The group going up the trail. Somebody was saying we don’t have hiking shoes, only walking shoes. Hiking is a form of walking.

Waikane

Chico helping Mari across a slippery section. Who said this hike is easy?

Waikane

Moli’i Fishpond in the background, which is one of only four original Hawaiian fishponds on the island.

Waikane

Scrambling up the Southeast Ridge of Pu’u Ohulehule, most hikers know it as Pride Rock as an obvious reference to the Disney movie, “The Lion King.”

Waikane

Aida on her approach to the top, walking shoes and all.

Waikane

The “classic” Pride Rock photograph.

Waikane

The “new” Tree Monkey photograph.

Waikane

The group relaxing and being chilled by the refreshing trade winds.

Waikane

Overlooking Kualoa Ranch and its domain.

Waikane

Can you spot Akira below the rock shelf?

Waikane

Time to head back down.

Waikane

Where’s my hiking stick?

Waikane

Two ropes are better than one.

Waikane

Where’s that second rope when you need it?

Waikane

Group photo with the Hawaiian flag that was adopted in 1845 and now represents the 50th state in the Union.

Waikane

Sliding our way down to the exit.

Kamehameha Highway

Sign me up.

Kamehameha Highway

Groot channeling his inner Musk.

Kamehameha Highway

The girls checking out the roadside refreshment stand. Tourist prices.

Kamehameha Highway

Fail. Go back to rapelling.

Kamehameha Highway

$10 Coconut. Cristy was thirsty.

Kamehameha Highway

Everybody needs shade from the hot sun. Where is that portable AC?

Kamehameha Highway

There’s gold in them thar tilipia filled waters.

Kamehameha Highway

Chico went to get shave ice. The rest of us went to get lunch. Hangry.

Waiahole Poi Factory

Lunch at the establishment that started as a poi factory in 1905 and then became the current restaurant in 2009.

All pau

Taking the air-conditioned bus back to our cars at Kualoa Ranch.

GPS Tracks

Our #13 perimeter walk covered 7.5 miles that also included two short hike detours that everybody did even with walking shoes. Awesome day with fun friends.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Alexis Catarina, Chico Cantu, Cristy CM, 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.

Google Maps said our perimeter hike today should only register around seven miles. Not only humans make mistakes.

Kualoa Beach Park

We all met up at the park steeped in history as it was associated with Hawaiian royalty, refuge and spiritual significance.

Hau’ula

That was a long bus ride! You sure this is only seven miles?

Hau’ula

Some suspicious minded individuals had to conduct their own independent confirmations. Shouts of 9 and 10 miles rang out. Are we not hikers?

Kamehameha Highway

The place to get a real kanak attack. Too early in the day.

Kamehameha Highway

Navigating the Kaipapa’u Stream Bridge Replacement construction barricades and detours.

Kapalaoa Beach

Scott the swinger. That doesn’t look too hard.

Kapalaoa Beach

Train wreck in progress. Woman down! Don’t worry, I do this for a living.

Kamehameha Highway

On the Windward side, the shoulder is your sidewalk.

Hau’ula Beach Park

Bathroom break.

Kamehameha Highway

Looking for souvenirs. Look harder.

Kamehameha Highway

Crossing over Maakua Stream.

Kamehameha Highway

The only ones straddling this now stripped coconut tree are these thin shelled a’ama crabs.

Kamehameha Highway

Passing this honey stand, as this was the closest we were getting to the state park that harbors Kaliuwa’a, where a rockslide on May 9, 1999 killed eight people and injured many others. It has been closed to the public ever since that tragic day.

Hale Aha Beach

Monkey see, monkey do.

Kamehameha Highway

Splash of color on the road.

St. Joachim Catholic Church

Passing this simple clapboard church dedicated in 1919.

Kaya’s Store

Supporting local. This store has been around since 1946, where it started as a butcher shop and evolved into today’s convenience store.

Ching’s Punaluu Store

This local store has been in business even longer, since 1935.

Kamehameha Highway

Looking out towards Kahana Bay.

Kamehameha Highway

Skipped the shrimp and went straight to swinging.

Punalu’u Beach Park

Better than the bushes.

Kamehameha Highway

Even the ocean needs shade.

Kamehameha Highway

Makeshift marina.

Kamehameha Highway

The breath of life.

Kamehameha Highway

Paddlers in Kawa Stream.

Kamehameha Highway

Walking on the road that is constantly being eroded by the ocean and passing the reopened Crouching Lion Restaurant. Lunch?

Kamehameha Highway

“No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings.” – William Blake.

Kamehameha Highway

Snack stop at the 7-11 right across Swanzy Beach Park. Walking is hard work.

Kamehameha Highway

The popular slogan plastered all over the areas not yet touched by commercial and large scale residential development originated in the late 1960s on the North Shore side of the island.

Kamehameha Highway

Walking on the road against the backdrop of wind rippled waves.

Kualoa Sugar Mill

Standing against the ruins of the first steam-powered mill on the island that was built in 1863.

Kualoa Ranch

I guess this is the closest we are getting to Maui’s fish hook.

Kualoa Beach Park

Carrying a stick with two flags all day is hard work.

Kualoa Beach Park

Our last group photo of the day with Mokoli’i in the background. Hawaiian legend has it that the basalt islet is the tip of the tail of a giant lizard that was killed and thrown in the bay by Hi’iaka, the younger sister of Pele.

GPS Tracks

Our #12 perimeter walk covered 10.7 miles on the Windward coastline with fun company. Post hike meal at Pieology as the food court was all filled up.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Allison Banks, Cristy CM, Kenny Lui, Mari Saito, Marilyn Bermudez, Scott Dea, 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 used public transportation and our own two feet to get around today.

Kualoa

Boarding TheBus that had its genesis back in the formation of HRT in 1898 which gradually evolved into the MTL under Mayor Fasi in 1970 and the current OTS in 1992.

Kamehameha Highway

Getting our road legs back after an almost hour long bus ride.

Waimea Beach

We going down there?

Waimea Beach

Group photo overlooking Waimea Bay, where the British ships Resolution and Discovery anchored in 1779 after Captain Cook was killed on the Big Island just two weeks prior. This was the first contact with Europeans on the island of Oahu.

Waimea Beach

Teamwork gets everybody safely down to the beach.

Waimea Beach

Whac-a-Chris.

Waimea Beach

Shoes on? Shoes off?

Waimea Beach

Walking the beach that is home to big wave surfing in winter, but now is home to swimmers and beach goers.

Waimea Beach

Jumping off “The Rock” is considered a rite of passage for local kids and kids at heart.

Waimea Beach

No jumping for Mari, getting her feet wet was good enough.

Waimea Beach

Dale and Chris decided to climb off the beach to stay high and dry.

Waimea Beach

Fording the “reddish waters” to get to the other sandy side.

Kamehameha Highway

Chris skateboarding on the bypass bridge.

Kamehameha Highway

Dale spotted an endangered Hawaiian waterbird known as ‘alae ke’oke’o floating in the Waimea River.

Waimea Beach

Wiping off the granular materials that come from decomposed rocks, organic by-products and parrotfish poop.

Kamehameha Highway

Dale and Chris with the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in the background that was built in 1953 on the remains of an old quarry.

Kamehameha Highway

Star Wars? Stop Wars? I thought Trump stopped all the wars?

Three Tables

Looking out at the flat sections of reef popular with divers and snorkelers.

Kamehameha Highway

We detoured to the supermarket chain founded by Maurice Sullivan and the Lau family in 1948 for snacks and refreshments.

Shark’s Cove

Looking out past the “bonsai trees” and Dale towards the popular snorkeling and diving spot.

Pupukea Beach

Dale took us on an exploratory detour.

Pupukea Beach

The Blue Cave or Blue Room, which leads into numerous sea caves that dot the coastline.

Pupukea Beach

Partial group photo looking out.

Pupukea Beach

Kikaida sighting in the tide pools.

Kamehameha Highway

A truer statement has never been made. Especially for the person pictured.

Kamehameha Highway

One of many swings we would encounter today.

Kamehameha Highway

Walking on the bike path which kept us safe from highway traffic.

Kamehameha Highway

Find a swing your own size!

Kamehameha Highway

Following the tree covered path that will safely take us all the way to Sunset Beach.

Kamehameha Highway

Just the guys checking out the treehouse.

Kamehameha Highway

Share the road.
Suitchi On! Wan! Tsu! Suri!
Saidomashin de Yattekuru
Jiro chenji Kikaida
If you grew up in Hawaii, you would know what I’m talking about.

Kamehameha Highway

Can’t out smile the sun. Need to use Crest 3d Whitestrips.

Kamehameha Highway

Akira and Kenny doing their part. Who’s that guy behind the sign?

Kamehameha Highway

In the flesh.

Kamehameha Highway

Trying to avoid a mid-air collision.

Kamehameha Highway

Does that apply to robots as well?

Kamehameha Highway

Mari and Dale petting a friendly dog. Domestication of dogs predates agriculture, between 20-40,000 years ago.

Kamehameha Highway

Need a bag?

Kamehameha Highway

Who is Chas? Where is Chas?

Kamehameha Highway

Everyone has their own path. We will all get to the same destination.

Sunset Beach

Brief stop at the two mile stretch of sandy beach that was called Paumalau by the Hawaiians.

Kamehameha Highway

Is this a private road?

Kamehameha Highway

One of the few times that a chair is around when you need one.

Kamehameha Highway

Ramp fails.

Kamehameha Highway

We are in the red zone. Flee to higher ground.

Kamehameha Highway

Just need chicken and green papaya now.

Ted’s Bakery

We had lunch at the local eatery that is a long time North Shore fixture. It was originally called Sunset Beach Store that opened in 1956 and later became what it is today when the son opened up a bakery and started selling pies and plate lunches in 1987.

Kamehameha Highway

End of the line. Back on the highway.

Kamehameha Highway

Mari sampling the carissa berries that populated this stretch of the road.

Kamehameha Highway

Which ones will make the cut for USDA Prime?

Kamehameha Highway

Exploring the abandoned buildings that used to be part of the Waialee Home for Wayward Boys.

Sheepside

Checking out the skatepark that skaters, Tippy and friends built in 2016.

Kamehameha Highway

What hotels? We must be walking in the wrong direction.

Kamehameha Highway

Stopping at Kuilima Farms to grab snacks and refreshment and shade from the sweltering sun.

Kamehameha Highway

Just missing the rubber papayas.

Kamehameha Highway

Passing one of two hotels on the coastline, Turtle Bay is probably the largest employer on this side of the island.

All pau

Enjoying the air conditioned ride back to our cars.

GPS Tracks

Our 10th perimeter walk covered 8.88 miles with fun company. No post hike meal as it was getting late and we ate enough on the walk to fill our tummies.

Photos taken by Akira Suzuki, Chico Cantu, Chris Bautista, Dale Yoshizu, Kenny Lui, Mari Saito, Marilyn Bermudez, 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.

Our hike in the mountains got rescheduled, so it was back to the pavement for our perimeter walk #11.

Waipahu

Mahalo to Chico for dropping Aida, Aileen, Akira, Lilyn, Mari, Ryan, Tessa, and myself off on Waipahu Depot Street.

Pearl Harbor Bike Path

Walking on the bike path where we soon passed the HFD Waipahu Maintenance Facility and Ted Makalena Golf Course that opened in 1971.

Pearl Harbor Bike Path

Sharing the path with bicyclists and stray dogs. Luckily, one of them didn’t bite.

Pearl Harbor Bike Path

Looking out towards the Middle Loch of Pearl Harbor that are home to 13 mothballed naval ships.

Pearl Harbor Bike Path

Yielding to two-wheeled and four-wheeled traffic.

Pearl Harbor Bike Path

Boarding the bus to shorten our time on the path.

Pearl Harbor Bike Path

Exact change only. Get behind the yellow line!

Pearl Harbor Bike Path

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Pearl Harbor Bike Path

Crossing over Waiawa Stream.

Pearl Harbor Bike Path

Passing the community project that is working to restore the coastline through education and engagement.

Pearl Harbor Bike Path

We crossed over Lehua Avenue to continue on the path and passed a marker that stated 11 miles to Honolulu Depot in Iwilei, which was the old train depot of the Oahu Railway and Land Company (OR&L).

Pearl Harbor Bike Path

Measuring up to one of two shoe trees, unlike its arboreal brethren on the mainland, these shoes are nailed to the tree trunk instead of dangling from the branches.

Pearl Harbor Bike Path

Mixed messages or perhaps complementary in a patch of taro and watercress plants.

Pearl Harbor Bike Path

Passing the HECO Waiau Power Plant that started generating power for the island back in 1938.

Pearl Harbor Bike Path

Catch and release?

Pearl Harbor Bike Path

Akira enjoying the views of East Loch.

Japanese Peace Bell

We detoured off the path to visit the wooden pavilion located on the edge of Neal Blaisdell Park, that was built entirely from interlocking lumber using no nails by two craftsmen from Japan.

Japanese Peace Bell

Group photo with the bell that was donated by the Buddhist Bishop Ekan Ikeguchi of Kagoshima, Japan in 1991 to mark the 50th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Best Buy

We dropped into one of 1,138 stores to enjoy some air conditioned air, use the bathrooms and pick up a laptop.

Pearl Harbor Bike Path

Somebody had the bright idea of stuffing the laptop in their backpack. Somebody ended up carrying the laptop for the remainder of the walk.

Pearl Harbor Bike Path

Akira trying to channel his inner hamster. Epic fail.

Pearl Harbor Bike Path

I guess it was hot for some.

Pearl Harbor Bike Path

Going underneath Moanalua Freeway, that was surprisingly devoid of homeless encampments.

Pearl Harbor Bike Path

Detouring around the fenced compound that is home to the COMPACFLT Boathouse.

Pearl Harbor Bike Path

Climbing and hanging onto the tree branch as we channeled our inner Ferlino.

Kamehameha Highway

Why did the hikers cross the road? To avoid getting run over.

Halawa View Apartments

Life imitating art. The mural in the background that covers one side of the 14-story building depicts Hina, the Hawaiian moon goddess, who was believed to have guided sailors with the moon and the stars.

Kamehameha Highway

Crossing over Halawa Stream. Always one in the crowd.

Kamehameha Highway

How the Grinch stole Christmas. So much for giving other people’s laptop to those in need.

Kamehameha Highway

Walking underneath the largest public works project in the State’s history. Today, it was at least good for shade. $54 per person.

Kamehameha Highway

Hitchhiker. Thumb is not big enough.

Kamehameha Highway

Trying to avoid being roadkill.

Nimitz Highway

Walking underneath Hawaii’s busiest highway and the not ready for prime time Skyline.

Nimitz Highway

Traffic mirror group selfie.

Big Kahuna’s Pizza

Who said there’s no such thing as a free lunch? Not the dentist. Hai! Hai! Arigatou Gozaimasu!

Nimitz Highway

It’s not a shopping cart, but beggars can’t be choosers.

Nimitz Highway

Unattended cart.

Nimitz Highway

Does this have a seat belt?

Nimitz Highway

Trying to make short work of our walk back to the yard.

Nimitz Highway

Pushing maximum load capacity.

All pau

Akira practicing catch and release on our way back to the cars.

GPS Tracks

Our eleventh walk around the island covered 11.2 miles through the urbanized parts of the island with a fun group. Back in the yard, we spent an inordinate amount of time transferring photos to each other. Some of us drove to Magnolia Ice Cream & Treats in Kalihi for refreshing Halo-Halo dessert to cool us down from our walk.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Aileen Agustin, Akira Suzuki, Chico Cantu, Lilyn Avendano, Mari Saito, Ryan Nakahara, 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.

Rain showers failed to rain on our parade as Aida, Chico, Ferlino, Mari, Tessa and myself started on our fourth perimeter walk.

Kualoa Beach Park

Waiting for the bus as a couple friends failed to wake up in time. The show must go on.

Route 60

Chico catching up on the news.

Chings’ Punaluu Store

Walking on the right side of the road. Or is that the left side?

Punalu’u

Why did the hiker cross the road? To climb a tree.

Kaya’s Store

Sampling the blueberry cheesecake at the family store that was founded in 1946 and started as a hardware and butcher store.

Wat Lao Buddha Sacksith

Praying at entrance to the Laotian Buddhist temple.

Punalu’u

I don’t think there are enough trees in the day for Ferlino to climb them all.

Punalu’u

Bridge walking when there are no sidewalks.

Sacred Falls Park

Taking a photo in front of the park whose trail leads to the now shuttered Sacred Falls. Back on Mother’s Day in 1999, a rockslide killed 8 people and left dozens injured. It has been opined by some that gulch hikes are vastly more dangerous than ridge hike due to the enclosed environment and unpredictable weather and terrain conditions. I am in total agreement. That is why I mostly stick to ridge hiking.

Ching Tong Leong Store

She sells seashells by the seashore. The shells she sells are surely sea shells. So if she sells shells on the sea shore, I’m sure she sells seashore shells.

Hau’ula

Tessa testing her balance on the tree.

Hau’ula

Group photo on the coconut tree.

Hau’ula

360 degree view of us coconuts sitting on the tree.

Hau’ula

If you can’t climb onto the tree, might as well hang upside down from it.

Hau’ula

It was time to make like a coconut, and fall out of the tree.

Hau’ula

Somebody needs to get with the program.

Slurpee Stop

Thanks to Chico for the free carbonated frozen beverages first made by the chain back in 1966.

Hau’ula

Passing by a red hibiscus flower that was the original flower of the territory of Hawaii, until 1988 when the yellow flower was designated the official state flower.

Hau’ula

I’m guessing the slurpee didn’t sit well with Chico.

Hau’ula

Passing by one of many wooden carved statues that represent certain figures that in turn represent their mana or power.

Laie

Somebody said it tastes like dirt and besides, it wasn’t the type of free samples he was looking for.

Laie

I thought his last name was Tongi? His first name is actually William. The singing phenom was the first Pacific Islander to win the 2023 American Idol. Priced out of paradise was the reason his family had to move to Washington. Maybe now they can afford to move back.

Laie

Bunch of swingers.

Laie

No open house today. We are not descendants.

Laie

There’s more than one way to husk a coconut.

Polynesian Cultural Center

Posing in front of some tiki statues in front of the tourist attraction that was built in 1963 to promote the Polynesian culture.

Laie

Bathroom break.

Laie Shopping Center

The security guard made sure we operated the shopping cart in a safe manner. No alcohol was involved as this was a “dry” town.

Laie Hawaii Temple

Passing by the first Mormon temple built outside the mainland back in 1919.

Malaekahana Bike Path

Stepping foot on the bike path that links Laie with Kahuku and was built to encourage exercise in the communities and keep people off the roads.

Malaekahana Bike Path

Looking over at the huge 568′ rotating wind turbines that have been a source of controversy due to the hoary bats being killed by them and the close proximity to homes.

Malaekahana Bike Path

The path was long and hot, but at least it kept us out of harms way. No horses came out to play.

Kahuku

Taking a break at the bus stop from the withering heat.

Kahuku

Hello 911? I need to speak to the po … never mind.

Kahuku

The poke was overrated, but the garlic shrimp lived up to its billing.

Kahuku

Admiring a restored VW Beetle that had its origins in Germany when Adolph Hitler instructed Ferdinand Porsche to design and produce a people’s car (volkswagen) back in 1934. The end of WW2 could have spelled the end of the Beetle, had it not been for the British Army that needed cars during the post war era and thus started up the production line to fill the demand.

Kahuku

Group photo next to the train that the termites will eat.

Kahuku

Passing the “other” shrimp place, that a lot of people say taste better than Giovanni’s. Gasp. Blasphemy. Well, depends on who you talk to.

James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge

This area that was established in 1976, protects one of the few remaining wetlands on the island that are home to a host of endemic and endangered marine life. I’m not sure these two are on the list.

All pau

Everybody got three dollars?

McDonald’s

Ending the day with a McDonald’s McFlurry to cool ourselves off.

GPS Tracks

Our hot as heck walk covered 10.3 miles with a fun group.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Chico Cantu, Ferlino Carinio, 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.

Met up with Chico, Jen, Laredo, Lilyn, Mari, Quan, Tessa, and William for our third leg of the perimeter walk today.

Waiahole Poi Factory

We took our group photo that we missed from the last walk after Chico and Lilia staged the truck at Kualoa Beach Park.

Kamehameha Highway

It was too early to get a treat of Sweet Lady of Waiahole, so we pushed off on our walk.

Kamehameha Highway

What’s that? I forgot something? My medication?

Kamehameha Highway

Tessa rubbing elbows with the legend.

Kamehameha Highway

Somebody’s on the wrong side of the bridge.

Waikane Store

Pop Quiz: What is Chico doing?
A) Panhandling from a passing car
B) Looking for free samples
C) Getting his truck keys

Kamehameha Highway

We saw these and other signs that loudly proclaimed “The People United Will Never Be Defeated” and “No Development Keep the Country Country” and “New City…What A Pity! No Development.” The problem dates back to the 1880s when Lincoln McCandles and brothers arrived in the islands and began drilling artesian wells to feed the sugar industry and in the process amassed considerable land holdings. Fast forward to 1974, when his daughter attempted to to urbanize 1,337 acres in Waiahole and Waikane Valleys with local developer, Joe Pao who promised affordable housing with his “New City” development. Sounds familiar? Massive protests erupted and was temporarily simmered when the State purchased 795 acres in Waiahole Valley to manage the land. Fast forward to 1987, when the Housing Finance and Development Corporation was created to promote affordable housing, the predecessor to today’s Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corporation. The HHFDC claims they are running a deficit managing the water resources and below market rents for the approximately 100 valley residents and must raise rents to stay solvent. Both sides have retained lawyers and are slugging it out in court. Who will win? Most certainly, the side with deep and corrupt pockets will prevail against the residents.

Kualoa Ranch

Entering the cattle ranch and tourist attraction that sits on over 4,000 acres. This valley was considered sacred to ancient Hawaiians and was purchased by Dr. Judd from King Kamehameha III for the sum of $1,300 in 1850. That would be $50,560 in today’s money.

Kamehameha Highway

Passing through the often seen Coral Kingdom Shop & Restaurant but never visited.

Kamehameha Highway

When the traffic mirror doubles as the selfie mirror.

Kamehameha Highway

The public picking of parya (bittermelon) leaves.

Kualoa Ranch

Looking for the private tour.

Kualoa Ranch

Group photo in front of the 50′ artistic representation of Manaiakalani, Maui’s fish hook that was used to capture the sun.

Mokoli’i

Looking out towards the basaltic islet in Kaneohe Bay that was once owned by the Judd-Morgan family until the City & County of Honolulu purchased it back in the 1970s.

Chinaman’s Hat

Group photo in front of the conical shaped island. Advocates are pushing to erase the name of Chinaman’s Hat as it’s not culturally correct and politically offensive to some. But for most locals, it will always be called that.

Kualoa Sugar Mill

Wandering through the ruins of the first sugar mill built in the islands during 1863-1865. Due to lack of rainfall, the mill ceased operations in 1871 and was left exposed to the elements where it sits today.

Kamehameha Highway

Leaving the prominent Kualoa ridge behind us. I wonder if anybody has ever climbed that mountain?

Kamehameha Highway

The fish were biting today.

Kamehameha Highway

Bunker exploration. Where’s Scotty?

Kamehameha Highway

The color of death.

Kamehameha Highway

When there’s no sidewalk, one has to walk on the bridge.

Kamehameha Highway

Roadside summer snacks. Lychee was introduced to Hawaii in 1873 when Ching Chock brought the evergreen tree from China and planted it on the Afong property on the corner of Nu’uanu and School Streets.

Kamehameha Highway

Chico got his own summer snack. Free shave ice!

Ka’a’awa 7-Eleven

Motorists yielding to pedestrians. Refreshments at the convenience store that was originally named Tote’m Stores and later changed to reflect the operating hours. Time to change again?

Kamehameha Highway

No touch the girl or the golf cart?

Crouching Lion Inn

Trying to see the resemblance of the rock formation above the shuttered eatery. Originally built as the Larsen residence in 1927, it was converted to a restaurant in 1952 and closed in 2008 due to cesspool violations.

Crouching Lion Hike

Where is the trailhead?

Kamehameha Highway

Clucking like a chicken.

Kamehameha Highway

Bridge crossing.

Kahana State Park

I still haven’t found a working pay phone yet.

Kamehameha Highway

Words to live by.

Kamehameha Highway

View of Kahana Bay.

Kamehameha Highway

Swinger.

Kamehameha Highway

Walking on the road next to traffic. The Handi-vans were especially too close for comfort. I think they were looking for future customers.

Punalu’u

Group photo at the beach park. The town name means “coral dived for” or “spring dived for.”

Punalu’u

We may have walked on the wrong side of the bridges, but never jumped from them.

Punalu’u

End of the road for us. Food outside.

Punalu’u

Drinks inside. Pay inside too.

Punalu’u

Eating on the beach. Laredo preferred to sun on the beach.

Punalu’u

Quan trying to burn off her caloric intake.

Route 60

Everybody have exact change? Three dollars.

Route 60

Time to get off the bus and give the riders some relief.

Kualoa Beach Park

Happy Birthday Mari!

Kualoa Beach Park

Pinay Hat.

McDonald’s Temple Valley

Thanks Chico for the soft serve ice cream cones!

Chico’s Bar

One shot for the road.

GPS Tracks

Our fun walk covered 10.4 miles through the Windward coastline.

Photos taken by Chico Cantu, Jen Odence, Lilyn Avendano, Mari Saito, Quan Haberstroh, 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.

Met up with Chico, Jen, Laredo, Lilyn, Mari, Quan, Tessa and William for the second leg of our perimeter walk.

Kaneohe Bay

Group photo where picking of the plants is not allowed.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

How many people does it take to pick a mango from a neighbor’s house when the tallest person watches from the sidelines?

Kaneohe Bay Drive

A bunch of bananas, not just talking about the botanical berries.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

Click your heels together three times and you’re still on Kaneohe Bay Drive.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

All that was missing was a half drunk cup of coffee. Preferably Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

The shopping cart races. Trying to qualify for a spot in the Idiotarod.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

Best to stay retired.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

Look But Don’t Touch. This is not the neighbor’s house.

Kaneohe Bay Drive

Bathroom break for some at the Golden Arches.

Kaneohe Stream

Watching the tilapia swim upstream and preventing an unsafe and unsteady walk across the bridge.

Kamehameha Highway

Searching for a working pay phone amongst the roughly 3,600 iconic blue boxes that are scattered throughout the island. Viiz Communications bought all the pay phones from Hawaiian Telcom back in 2017, and agreed to rebrand them but looks like they decided to just leave them to rust away.

Kamehameha Highway

Trying to get a paid advertisement.

Kamehameha Highway

When you just can’t get enough.

Kamehameha Highway

Chico demonstrating that slats will not prevent him from sleeping on the bus bench. For a minute.

Kamehameha Highway

Fire trucks yielding to pedestrians before turning into King Intermediate. No emergency.

Kamehameha Highway

Joggers crossing the He’eia Stream.

Kamehameha Highway

I guess the sidewalk was too crowded for somebody.

Shoreline Trail

Taking a break from pounding the pavement to be closer to the ocean.

He’eia Estuary

Looking out at the wetlands that are slowly being restored by volunteers to support native birds and other species that used to thrive in this habitat.

He’eia State Park

Partial group photo at the entrance to the 18.5 acre state park.

Kamehameha Highway

When you have too much time on your hands.

Kamehameha Highway

Somebody needed some beach time.

Kamehameha Highway

Our walk got crashed by Scott and Rose who were looking for a shortcut.

Kamehameha Highway

Back on the road again as our ranks swelled by one. The other one drove off to find a parking spot. More shortcuts.

Kamehameha Highway

Looking out at the extremely low tide in Kaneohe Bay.

Kamehameha Highway

Where is the sidewalk?

Hygienic Store

Thanks to Chico for buying us ice cream at the landmark that was once the company store for Hygienic Dairy that was founded back in 1907.

Kamehameha Highway

Playing with plastic swine.

Kamehameha Highway

I hear you knocking, but you can’t come out.

Kamehameha Highway

Traffic mirror selfie.

Kamehameha Highway

We need to pick up the pace, we are not even registering on the radar speed sign.

Kamehameha Highway

Crossing over Waiahole Stream.

Waiahole Poi Factory

Lining up to get our lunch at the centuries old establishment that has seen life as a poi factory, art gallery and present day restaurant.

Waiahole Poi Factory

Most of the group ate their fix of Hawaiian food while Laredo sunbathed as his adoring fans honked at him from the street.

Kamehameha Highway

Thanks to Lilia for picking us up. Enjoying riding in the back of the truck while we can as Senate Bill 1040 would seek to ban such ridership based on faulty logic by Senator Lee that traffic fatalities are on the rise but very few deaths can be attributed to riding in the back of a truck. Classic case of politicians trying to justify their political existence.

All pau

Laredo has left the house!

GPS Tracks

Our second leg of the perimeter walk covered almost 11 miles through the Windward stretch of the island with a fun group.

Photos taken by Chico Cantu, Jen Odence, Lilyn Avendano, Mari Saito, Quan Haberstroh, Scott Dea, 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.