Having promised myself that I would tackle the descent down the third peak of Ahiki ever since we did Olomana almost two years ago, today was the day to cash that check. Glenn, Chris and myself all met right before the bridge on Auloa Road and started the hike around 6:30am.

Climbing the rockface

Glenn and Chris climb the last major rockface before the first peak of Olomana. It turned out to be a very nice sunny day with scattered clouds in the sky, which also made the hike hotter than most of our previous hikes that had extensive cloud cover.

Top of Olomana

Best seats in the house, as far as panoramic viewing from Olomana. This is the highest of the three peaks and the one that affords the best vantage to check out the stunning views from Kaneohe to Makapuu.

Panoramic view from Olomana

Click here to see the larger panoramic image.

Looking at Olomana from Paku'i

Descending down from the first peak, the trail pretty much to the third peak gives way to dirt and loose rocks.

Climbing down from the second peak

Chris scrambling down the second peak after finishing rappeling down the first part of the peak, with other hikers coming down the second peak right behind him.

In the saddle between Pakui and Ahiki

Glenn and Chris taking a break in the saddle between the second and third peaks.

Keyhole rock formation

Ever since I saw the keyhole rock formation on our first hike up Olomana, I had always wanted to climb into the hole and get my picture taken. It’s way easier to climb from the backside and a lot safer too.

Top of Ahiki

We arrived at the third peak of Ahiki around 9:30am and promptly signed the hiker’s log while munching on beef jerky and drinking lukewarm water.

Rockface #1

Going down the backside of Ahiki, the first rockface we encountered had a small rope ladder that was more of a hindrance than a help in my opinion. You have to balance yourself just right as the rope ladder is not rigid and is constantly moving, so if one is not careful, you could end up getting hurt coming down that short ladder.

Rockface #2

Chris and Glenn climbing down the second rockface.

Rockface#3

Going down the third rockface was aided by a somewhat tattered blue and white rope anchored to the rocks. Needless to say, we didn’t put much of our weight on the rope coming down. We also met three hikers that were coming up from the Waimanalo side, one of whom was Nate Rubio or The Hobbit.

Rockface #4

This part of the rockface was the toughest part in my opinion. As you go over the ledge, you really can’t see the footholds coming down, so you have to put all your trust and weight on the rope going down until you get to your first foothold.

Rockface #5

Chris coming down the last and longest major rockface.

All pau!

After we all made it down the backside of Ahiki, we took the right junction that led us into the ravine where we eventually went up the hill following the ribboned branches. When in doubt, stay right held particularly true on the trail going back. Towards the end, we lost the main trail and decided to take the straightest line which led us onto the 7th hole of the Royal Hawaiian Golf Course. And what luck we had, as there was also a complimentary drinking water station right by the greens. We didn’t bother to ask if it was just for the golfers or hikers. Ice cold water never tasted so good after six hours of hiking!

Olomana, in Hawaiian, means divided hill. Looking at the three peaks rising out of Maunawili Valley, you can see why it got that name. Called Oahu’s Matterhorn by Stuart Ball, there is a passing resemblance to the iconic mountain of the Alps. However, in true aloha fashion, you get three peaks for the price of one! We parked on the road before the Maunawili Bridge at the Luana Hills Country Club. Do not park after the bridge, as they will tow your car. We walked down the road for a quarter of a mile and found the sign pointing out the start of the Olomana trail.

Peak of Olomana

The beginning of the trail was marked with groves of bamboo, strawberry guava, Christmas berry plants and ironwood pine trees. There are also a couple of switchbacks going up the ridge. 

Are we hiking or climbing?

As we gradually made our way up the trail, we came across several areas that were quite steep and rocky. Fortunately, there are ropes that somebody left behind that helped us get up these steep areas.

Rock face

This 12 to 15 foot rockface was the last major obstacle we had to scale before reaching the top of the first peak known as Olomana. As with all ropes we came across the trail, we tested them and never fully relied on them, more as an assist to get us up.

View towards Kaawa

View from the first peak, known as Olomana, with an elevation of 1,643 feet. This is actually the highest of the three peaks and the one that affords the most scenic and 360 degree views of the Windward side, Maunawili Valley and the Koolau Range.

View of Mokapu Peninsula

Here you can see Mokapu Peninsula, home to the Kaneohe Marine Base and parts of Kailua and Enchanted Lakes. Today was also the day that the Blue Angels were supposed to put on a show, if the timing was right, we would have had the best seats in the house. Too bad, we were too early. The awesome views more than made up for missing the Blue Angels.

View of Waimanalo

Here you can see the sun washing over the town of Waimanalo, Bellows Beach, Manana (Rabbit) and Kaohikaipu (Turtle) islands. Both islands are now designated seabird sanctuaries.

View of Paku'i and Ahiki

From the first peak of Olomana, you can see the second peak, known as Paku’i, and the third peak, known as Ahiki in the background. A lot of hikers call it quits after making the first peak and return back. Not us, since we made it this far, we decided we might as well go all the way! No guts, no glory!

View of Olomana

Descending from the first peak to the saddle was somewhat steep but manageable. The climb to the second peak was over before we knew it, here we are looking at Olomana from the second peak.

View of Ahiki

Only one more peak to go! The ridge looks razor sharp from this vantage point, but that’s because we are far away!

Rapelling or hiking?

Coming down from the second peak to the saddle, we had to rappel down almost 300 feet.

Keyhole

This striking rock formation on the way to the third peak, is called the keyhole for obvious reasons. I read that around this area, a couple of hikers lost their footing and bounced down the mountain, but managed to scramble their way back up. Needless to say, we were extra careful around this area, as I didn’t want to be like a bad check.

Back in the saddle

Leaving the keyhole behind and climbing up the ridge with some noticeable dropoffs on both sides. If you are afraid of heights, this hike is not for you.

View of Olomana and Paku'i

Looking back towards the first two peaks. We were almost to the third and final peak! I heard that there is suppose to be a big bee hive between the second and third peaks. The only bee we came across, was one that decided to make itself at home in my glove. So for a short distance, I was buzzing until I realized it wasn’t alcohol!

View from Ahiki

The views from the summit of the third peak are almost anti-climatic, as compared to the first peak. But the feeling of making it to the third peak was awesome. The hike is difficult as there are extreme steep areas that must be carefully climbed and hiked. It took us roughly two hours to get to the third peak and about two and a half hours to make it back to our cars. I read that some hikers have made the scary descent from the third peak going down into Waimanalo. That’s for another day.