A group of us gathered to walk and ride in the same day.

Kapolei

Last chance to get breakfast as we started our walk. Thanks to Dale for picking up Susan from our end point.

Kapolei

Playing in traffic.

Kapolei

Crossing traffic. Where are those JPO guards when you need them?

Kapolei

Headed to the town that gets a bad rap and I feel that the locals there like it that way. Keeps the place from turning into another Waikiki.

Farrington Highway

Local flavor of the social media platform.

Farrington Highway

Too early to pay a visit to the face in the treehouse.

Farrington Highway

The temptation of low hanging fruit. We are on the West side. Temptation refused.

Farrington Highway

Railroad crossing at Electric Beach.

Electric Beach

Checking out the beach that is popular with snorkelers and marine life that are attracted to the warm water discharged by the Kahe Power Plant.

Farrington Highway

Walking on the train tracks of history.

Farrington Highway

Playing in the shallow end.

Farrington Highway

Leaving behind the Kahe Power Plant that first opened in 1963 and still supplies power to the island to even out the wind and solar generated electricity.

Black Rocks Beach Park

Dropped into the cove to check out the currents and views.

Black Rocks Beach Park

She sells seashells on the seashore
The shells she sells are seashells, I’m sure
So if she sells seashells on the seashore
Then I’m sure she sells seashore shells.

Say it three times fast.

Nanakuli

Waiting for high tide.

Nanakuli

One can find church anywhere. On the coast. In the Mountains. In your heart.

The Mermaid Cave

Dropping in to check out the coral reefs carved and hollowed out by years of pounding surf. Also known as “Tunnels.”

The Mermaid Cave

360 degree photo of the spot that was once flooded with curious people wanting to check it out due to social media influencers. The novelty seems to have worn off probably much to the relief of the nearby residents.

Kalaniana’ole Beach Park

Nobody offered food to us traveling hikers, I guess they were pretending to be deaf.

Kalaniana’ole Beach Park

Harder than it looks. Protect your family jewels.

Kalaniana’ole Beach Park

Susan claimed this was the cleanest bathroom on this side of the island. We’ll just have to taker word for it.

Kalaniana’ole Beach Park

Somebody had their head up so far up Ferlino’s arse, that he was forced to grab the banyan tree roots.

Nanakuli

Walking past a mural decorated with the paintings of famous local musicians and singers from the West side.

Nanakuli Super

I think you’re closer than 50′ feet Dale.

Nanakuli Super

Somebody else should be holding this capsule toy. Somebody that fits the definition of a pinay. Not to be confused with Winnie.

Nanakuli

What happened to Mike’s Bake Shop? The times they are a changing.

Nanakuli

Mailbox sighting of the world famous beagle who first appeared in 1950.

Farrington Highway

Is it T-Mobile Tuesday? No, it’s just Sunny Sunday.

Maili

Thanks to Dave and Susan for the rides back to our cars where we finished under the shadows of the pillboxes above us.

GPS Tracks

Our sixth installment in the island perimeter walk covered 9.3 miles with fun friends.

Hawaiian Railway Society

Most of us drove over to Ewa to check in for our 1:00pm train ride where Chris and Jasmin joined us. No kama’aina discount. Just senior discount. Mari shared the mochi that Dale brought for Girl’s Day. Boys can eat too.

Hawaiian Railway Society

Killing time by taking pictures of the vintage trains scattered around the yard, most of them date back to the 1880s.

Hawaiian Railway Society

All aboard!

Hawaiian Railway Society

We all enjoyed the one hour ride on the narrow gauge tracks that took us all the way to Electric Beach. No stop for ice cream at Ko’olina. Only the 3:00pm rides do that.

Hawaiian Railway Society

The return trip took half the time as we watched the same scenery unfold before us.

GPS Tracks

Our train ride back in time covered roughly 13 miles round trip. It’s hard to believe, but the year 1898 saw the completion of the Oahu Railway and Land train line that stretched from Iwilei to Kahuku.

Donki

Post train meal at the newest Japanese export store in Kapolei. Fun times.

Photos taken by Akira Suzuki, Chris Bautista, Dale Yoshizu, Ferlino Carinio, Jasmin Carinio, Mari Saito, Susan Katz, 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.

Cobbled together a group of eleven friends to go walking around the island this weekend. Thanks to Ferlino and Roger for the shuttle service.

Waipahu

Group photo left to right: Chico, Mari, Ferlino, myself, Akira, Chris, Dale, Jordan, Aida, Tessa and Roger. Somebody forgot their phone in the truck. It’s an Android. No loss. But we have to deduct 1,000 pics from the photo pool.

West Loch Bike Path

CB jumping off the bridge that did not exist over a year ago when we had to traverse the hanging pipes.

West Loch Bike Path

Spotting an a’eo or Hawaiian black-necked stilt in the Pouhala Marsh Water Bird Sanctuary.

West Loch Bike Path

The group crossing the second bridge over Waipahu Stream in their own different ways.

West Loch Bike Path

Let the shopping cart races begin.

West Loch Bike Path

The jury’s out on who won the Oscar for the best interpretation.

West Loch Bike Path

Ferlino getting a little help from Chico to walk across the handrails on the bridge. If he takes a fall in the drink, he can fish out the dead bloated cat in the stream.

West Loch Bike Path

Chico trying to “pants” Akira. The hijinks that goes on our walks. Never a dull moment.

West Loch Bike Path

Group photo on one of the piers along the stretch of “Chocolate Beach” that was built in the 1960s in tandem with the West Loch community that was being developed.

West Loch Bike Path

Another group photo spaced out on another pier that was actually closed back in 2015 due to concerns of structural safety. They must have obviously addressed those concerns.

West Loch Bike Path

Chico shaking the pod-like fruits from a nearby tamarind tree, that was introduced to Hawaii in 1797 by Don Francisco de Paula Marin. Ferlino picked them up and ate some of them.

West Loch Bike Path

Re-purposing an empty roro dumpster.

West Loch Bike Path

Dale showing that he’s still got it. This guy had several State powerlifting records in the 80s and is still active.

West Loch Bike Path

There must be an easier way of picking mangoes.

West Loch Bike Path

Just need shoyu. Low sodium.

West Loch Bike Path

Ferlino by the shoreline.

West Loch Bike Path

Some in the group took a bathroom break at Kapapapuhi Point Park.

West Loch Bike Path

We will have to take your word for it.

West Loch Golf Course

I thought the other color flag was supposed to be red? Not red, white and blue?

West Loch Bike Path

It’s the message that counts, not the grammar.

West Loch Bike Path

Different perspectives on the bridge that crosses Honouliuli Stream.

West Loch Bike Path

Is that the blue agave plant? If not, then no tequila for you Akira.

Betty Nagamine Bliss Memorial Overlook

Group photo at the lookout that was damaged by arson on August 19, 2024. What’s sad is that the structure was just re-built after being burned down previously in December of 2021.

Betty Nagamine Bliss Memorial Overlook

If one gets tired of watching Hawaiian seabirds and other waterfowl, one can always watch two primates getting back to their roots.

West Loch Bike Path

Checking out an eco-friendly sustainable fence at a nearby home.

West Loch Bike Path

Standing next to a rainbow eucalyptus tree that was introduced in 1929 from the Philippines.

West Loch Bike Path

A shopping cart street vendor offered us free slices of jabong that he had picked up from the ground.

West Loch Bike Path

Calling “American Chopper” for a project that is right up their tail pipe.

Historic Ewa Village

Group photo on the mill wheel that stands at the historic plantation village that was established in 1890 to house the different ethnic groups that labored in the sugar cane fields.

Leeward Bike Path

We had the narrow gauge tracks. We had the train whistle. No train? No problem. All aboard!

Leeward Bike Path

The electrical poles were hanging at a perceived precarious balance. Shades of Lahaina?

Leeward Bike Path

CB multi-tasking as he plucked the moringa leaves from a free range branch as we followed the bike path.

Leeward Bike Path

Let’s not walk on the third rail shall we.

Hawaiian Railway Society

We dropped in on the only operating railroad museum in the State.

Hawaiian Railway Society

The train leaving the station early. I thought it was at 1300 and 1500? It’s only 1110!

Checking out the merci train that was shipped from France after WW2 in appreciation for the 270 boxcars that US citizens sent to help the suffering French, of those, Hawaii sent two filled with sugar.

Hawaiian Railway Society

Hanging out for the next train ride.

Hawaiian Railway Society

Oh Roger!

Hawaiian Railway Society

Leaving the train depot as the afternoon sun forced our departure.

Leeward Bike Path

Using the parasol that was most likely invented in China over 4,000 years ago.

Leeward Bike Path

Our group waving at the passing train, possibly a tradition started in the 1840s in the United Kingdom.

Leeward Bike Path

CB finally found a car with great mileage. Zero.

Leeward Bike Path

The tracks were cleared, so the “people train” complete with whistles and the pumping motion of our arms and legs took to the tracks.

Leeward Bike Path

Walking on an abandoned military rail car. The US Navy ran this section of the tracks to run their ammunition trains from West Loch to Lualualei Naval Ammunition Depot from 1950 to 1970.

Leeward Bike Path

Afternoon tea and crumpets, the homeless way.

All pau

Practicing proper hygiene after the finish of our walk.

GPS Tracks

Our fifth perimeter walk covered 8.55 miles with free range food and fun activities with good friends.

Ono Steak & Shrimp

Our post hike meal was at a place that didn’t serve mac salad. Sacrilegious!

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Chico Cantu, Chris Bautista, Dale Yoshizu, Ferlino Carinio, Jordan Baird, Mari Saito, Roger Schiffman, 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 the “Japan Fab Four” at Kapolei to start our perimeter walk #10.

Kapolei

Catching the sunrise as we started walking on the old railroad tracks which paralleled Renton Road.

Kapolei

Going to have put a little more elbow grease to get it turning plus generous amounts of WD-40.

Kapolei

Who’s that guy sitting behind the broken railroad car?

Kapolei

Did somebody throw the railroad switch?

Kapolei

We crossed over Fort Barrette Road which was constructed to permit access to the Barbers Point Naval Air Station as we followed an access road which paralleled the train tracks. A steady stream of planes landing and taking off at the airport kept us company.

Kapolei

Santa and his protege. We soon crossed over another road complete railroad crossing gates, that was in the back of Ka Makana Ali’i (royal gift), a sprawling shopping center that opened in 2016.

Kapolei

Chico showing us the proper pushup form and technique.

Hawaiian Railway Society

We soon stumbled onto the rail depot of the Hawaiian Railway Society, which is the only operating railroad museum in the State.

Hawaiian Railway Society

All Aboard! Weekly train rides are operated that run from Ewa to Kahe Point at a lickety-split speed of 15 mph. They even stop for ice cream!

Hawaiian Railway Society

Checking out #85 – which is the only surviving Oahu Railway and Land Company (OR&L) road engine that pulled passenger trains during WW2.

Hawaiian Railway Society

Photo with three out of the four operating locomotives left in the State.

Hawaiian Railway Society

Exploring Parlor Car 64, that was the showpiece of OR&L’s rolling stock. It was built in 1900 for Benjamin Dillingham, the founder of OR&L, for his personal use and to entertain noted guests, amongst whom were members of the Hawaiian royalty.

Hawaiian Railway Society

Kauila 6 was the first locomotive to be operated by OR&L. It now sits at the front of the museum. We left the non-profit organization and continued on the bike path that had roughly 100′ of cobblestones which soon turned into asphalt. I guess they ran out of money.

West Loch Bike Path

Looking both ways before crossing. There might be a train around the bend.

Historic Ewa Villages

Group photo on the mill wheel that serves as the landmark of the storied history of the sugar plantations and the different ethnicities that toiled in the fields and lived here.

West Loch Bike Path

Staying our distance from a colorful rainbow tree that was introduced to the islands in 1929. It was also home to a bee nest.

Betty Nagamine Bliss Overlook

We detoured off the trail to visit the overlook that was built in 2016 to honor the McKinley High School teacher who was instrumental in establishing the Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge.

Betty Nagamine Bliss Overlook

Group photo overlooking the habitat for numerous species of Hawaiian water birds.

West Loch Bike Path

Crossing over Honouliuli Stream that also ran through West Loch Golf Course.

West Loch Bike Path

Standing on the pier that juts into the waters of Pearl Harbor. The piers were built for the State Park.

West Loch Bike Path

Nobody wanted to check out the second pier with me. I guess when you seen one, you seen them all.

West Loch Bike Path

Third pier was off limits due to unsafe conditions. But it was still good enough for a hangout spot.

West Loch Bike Path

I guess the shopping cart races will have to wait.

West Loch Bike Path

Passing the residential area.

West Loch Bike Path

A bridge too far? We soon came across a bridge under construction over Waikele Stream.

West Loch Bike Path

With a little help from my friends.

West Loch Bike Path

The last crossing over Kapakahi Stream was a piece of cake.

All pau

Mahalo to Lilia for picking us up on Waipahu Depot Road and taking us back to Kapolei.

GPS Tracks

Our walk covered only 8.77 miles that covered train tracks, bike paths, and partially built bridges. Fun times with good company. Post hike walk at Outback Steakhouse. Can’t get enough of that clam chowder.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Chico Cantu, Mari Saito, 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 Aida, Allison, Ferlino, Jasmin, and Mari at the parking lot of McDonald’s to start our perimeter walk #9.

Kapolei

The combat medic saved the day for Mari’s shoes when he ran to Home Depot and gorilla glued her soles shut.

Maili

Mahalo to Chico for dropping our group off in the pebbly town that has the highest percentage of Native Hawaiians in Hawai’i.

Farrington Highway

Starting out on what was originally a walking route that connected people from Central and Ewa Beach to the West side. Repeating and walking in history.

Farrington Highway

Walking on the only artery that goes in and out of the Leeward coast and is considered one of the most dangerous stretches of roadway on the island for pedestrians due to its poor design. What are we doing again?

Mike’s Bake Shop

We stopped at this hole in the wall for some delicious morning pastries. This shop among two others was part of a violent robbery spree back in 2017 that all occurred within a 24 hour period.

Ulehawa Stream

The Hawaiian meaning of the stream is “filthy penis.” I guess that’s why its located in a stream, to wash it off.

Nanakuli Super

We stopped at the family owned and operated store since 1973, to browse and came out with candy canes filled with miniature bottles of fireball whisky. I bought one and somehow ended up carrying four.

Farrington Highway

Colorful artwork that covered the utility boxes on the sides of the road.

OR&L

Ferlino standing on the narrow gauge tracks whose trains and whistles have long been silenced.

Nanakuli

Spotted a honu (green sea turtle) bobbing in the rough waters.

Mermaid Cave

Ferlino dropping into Tunnels.

Nanakuli

Can you see the heart for the waves?

Nanakuli

The peeling paint makes it easier to see the heart.

Nanakuli

We followed the shoreline with the crashing waves on our way back out to the highway.

Nanakuli

When is a pillbox not a pillbox?

Nanakuli

Aida watching the surging water come in and out of the sandy cove.

OR&L

We continued our walk until a tree stopped us dead in our tracks.

OR&L

From 1889 until 1947, Oahu Railway & Land Company (OR&L) moved passengers and cargo from Iwilei to Kahuku on its 3 foot railway.

OR&L

First a tree and now a bicycle. Is somebody trying to derail our walk?

OR&L

We detoured and climbed out of the ditch to join back up to Dillingham’s legacy to Oahu’s transportation history.

OR&L

Where there’s a tree, you’ll find Ferlino on it.

OR&L

The girls crossing over a trestle with the Hawaiian Electric (HECO) power plant in the background.

Electric Beach

Group photo at the passive sign that now serves as a backdrop instead of regulating traffic back in the day.

Farrington Highway

We soon got off the tracks as it was leading us towards Ko Olina Resorts, which was formerly called Lanikuhonua (“where heaven meets earth”), and jumped back on the congested highway.

Farrington Highway

This Good Samaritan, a person that helps other people and especially strangers, stopped to ask if we needed assistance as she thought our car had broken down. Bless her heart.

Farrington Highway

Ferlino asked the owner of this rather imposing treehouse if we could climb it. Ask and you shall receive.

Tommy’s Treehouse

Some of us took the long way and others took the more direct approach.

Tommy’s Treehouse

The owner built this faux electric chair as he used to work at the nearby HECO powerplant.

Tommy’s Treehouse

The effort that went into building this treehouse took a period of three years and the attention to detail such as the “barnacles” on the tree limbs, crow’s nest, and the interior finishing’s all paid off for his kids and grandkids enjoyment. And obviously for curious passerby’s such as ourselves.

Tommy’s Treehouse

Leaving the highlight of the walk behind us.

Farrington Highway

Walking parallel against oncoming traffic.

Kalaeloa Blvd

Going down the home stretch where we successfully avoided the merging cars going onto the H1 highway to finish off our walk #9.

All pau

Post hike meal at the nearby Panda’s Express, home of authentic Chinese cuisine. Jasmin showed off her golf ball and thirty-one cents in loose change that she found on the walk. Still not enough to buy her even an eggroll.

GPS Tracks

Our walk covered 10.11 miles that was a mixture of railroad tracks, shoreline and paved roads. A fun day with good company.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Allison Banks, Ferlino Carinio, Jasmin Nepomuceno, Mari Saito, 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.