Decided to keep nice and dry and stay off the mountains this weekend. We would still get a little wet on our perimeter walk today.

Taco Bell

Met up with Aida, Alexis, Akira, Chico, Deborah, Ferlino, Mari, Marilyn, Robin, Roger, and Tessa at one of the franchise restaurants founded in 1962 by Glenn Bell in California.

Koko Marina Center

The group cutting through the shopping center founded in 1963. Some of them needed a caffeine start to the morning.

Starbucks

Will that be a tall, grande, venti or trenta size? Just a fancy way of paying more bucks for Starbucks coffee.

Koko Marina Center

The guys keeping themselves entertained with a free hand puppet show. Doesn’t take much.

Hawaii Kai Marina Bridge

Aida and Roger taking photos over the bridge that allows maritime traffic to travel to and from the salt-water marina.

Maunalua Bay

Caught a glimpse of morning paddlers making their way across the bay that was once home to the largest fishpond on Oahu, until it was filled and developed for the current housing development called Hawaii Kai.

Kuli’ou’ou Beach Park

We detoured off the highway to go through the family friendly beach park.

Paiko Lagoon

Following the trail as we entered the bird sanctuary established in 1974.

Paiko Lagoon

Time to leave the sandy beach and get our feet wet.

Paiko Lagoon

I look the part, but I don’t think I can pull it off.

Paiko Lagoon

It’s not that deep!

Paiko Lagoon

The rest of the stragglers wading into the water.

Paiko Lagoon

Joining up with the rest of the group that took the longer but shallower route to dry land. Are we still getting wet?

Paiko Lagoon

One of these are not a real couple.

Paiko Lagoon

Passing a family of fishermen as we continued to wade in the waters while the rest of the group decided to plunge in the overgrowth and stay dry.

Paiko Lagoon

The breath of life about to be washed away by the ocean.

Paiko Lagoon

Drying our feet out while we waited for the rest of the group to join us.

Paiko Lagoon

Looking back at the historic fishpond named after a Portuguese whaler, Manuel De Pico (Paiko).

Kalanianaole Highway

We got ourselves a parking garage and no car and nowhere to go.

Niu Stream Bridge

Crossing over the bridge that discharges the waters flowing down from Pia and Kupaua Valleys into the ocean.

Kalanianaole Highway

Rolling resistance was pretty low on the sidewalk.

Calvary by the Sea

Exchanging hiking vows.

Aina Haina McDonald’s

Ferlino having a slice of ube bread ala mode soft serve ice cream at the first McDonald’s in Hawaii that opened in 1968 and was brought here by Maurice Sullivan, founder of Foodland.

Aina Haina McDonald’s

Fishing for recognition.

Kalanianaole Hwy

Chico twirling the flag in the middle of the highway. Stay in the crosswalk!

Kalanianaole Hwy

Shadows on the sidewalk.

Kalanianaole Hwy

We didn’t have any signs, so we just engaged in flag waving. It must be election year.

Kalanianaole Hwy

Now we have a sign! Are those cheers or jeers from the passing motorists?

Kalanianaole Hwy

Leaving the highway for greener pastures aka Waialae Country Club, where a paltry $52,000 will get your golf club on the green.

Aloha Island Mart

It’s never too early to start drinking for some people.

Kahala Ave

Shopping cart + flag waver = Trump supporter?

Kahala Ave

Halloween has not left the house.

Kahala Ave

Ferlino pushing another Trump supporter down the road. Vote Trump! MAGA!

Kahala Ave

Marilyn next to an anatomically correct skeleton? 206 bones?

Kahala Ave

Social experiment. We hung out for over 20 minutes in the upscale residential area with no sign of the boys in blue. The luxury neighborhood was once home to cattle and pig farms back in the 1800s. The upper crust later decided to gentrify the area and all the farms were shut down. From sloppy to swanky.

Kahala Ave

Sitting room only. How many people can fit in a Big Agnes Fly Creek tent? Apparently seven of us. Five over the limit.

Kahala Ave

Alexis doing her best to look terrified. Don’t quit your day job.

Fort Ruger Park

Ferlino waving the flag at the spot known as “Triangle Park” for obvious reasons but was renamed Fort Ruger the Operation Red Wings Medal of Honor Park back in 2008 on Veteran’s Day, to honor the Pearl Harbor based SEALs who perished in 2005 in Afghanistan and Hawaii Medal of Honor recipients.

Diamond Head Rd

A couple of surfers going down to Diamond Head Beach to catch some waves at the surf breaks known as Cliffs and Lighthouse. We’ll just continue walking on the pathway known as Diamond Head Road.

Diamond Head Rd

Going out on a limb. Literally.

Diamond Head Rd

The guys hanging out in a tree, their favorite past time.

Diamond Head Rd

Passing by the navigational aid that was built in 1899 and whose red light can be seen 17 nautical miles from the shoreline.

Leahi Beach Park

Happy Birthday Roger! Tried not to make a fuss over your special day.

Seawall

Following the walkway that connects the two beach parks as the ocean continues its slow and steady erosion of the rock wall.

Makalei Beach Park

Leaving the small park that was home to people sunning themselves rather than surfing out at the breaks known as Graveyards and Suicides.

All pau

We ended at the Dillingham Fountain that was built in 1967 and apparently is under renovation as the lights and water pumps are not working. Deborah went off to swim with the turtles and tourists. The rest of us got shuttled back to our cars by Akira and Robin.

GPS Tracks

Our second perimeter walk was made with the “dirty dozen” that covered roughly 10.15 miles. Fun group, the more the merrier as they say.

Post hike meal

Late lunch at Tex808 where catching food with your mouth is more entertaining than just eating with your mouth.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Alexis Catarina, Chico Cantu, Deborah Tom, Ferlino Carinio, Mari Saito, Marilyn Bermudez, Robin Farr, 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.

We had just hiked over 14 miles in the mountains last weekend, so why not walk over 14 miles this weekend?

Dillingham Fountain

Thanks to Jasmin and Lilia for dropping us off at the fountain that only operates from 6pm to 10pm to conserve water.

Kalakaua Avenue

Chico trying to get up close and personal with the carp fish that are prized for their varied color patterns and can fetch upwards to $20,000 per fish with the desired characteristics prized by collectors.

Kalakaua Avenue

Ferlino playing the free reed wind instrument that was developed in Europe with origins in China. Music to our ears.

Poni Moi Road

Approaching the volcanic tuff cone that is roughly 500,000 years old and was given the name Le’ahi by Hawaiians due to the mountain’s shape that resembles a tuna’s dorsal fin. It also is home to the hardest hike on the island and the ghost of Christmas past.

Diamond Head Road

Double reflections.

Makalei Beach Park

Chico, a practicing member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, looking to get his second one in the park that used to be private beach homes.

Diamond Head Road

Walking on the eroded walkway fronting the beach.

Diamond Head Road

Ferlino hanging off the railing.

Leahi Beach Park

Two monkeys hanging in the tree in the park that was once the Dillingham home.

Diamond Head Lighthouse

Passing by the red beacon that keeps wayward ships from grounding themselves on the coral reefs. The original 40′ lighthouse was built in 1898 and was later replaced by the current 55′ structure in 1917.

Kuilei Cliffs

Watching surfers riding the waves off Le’ahi or Diamond Head.

Kuilei Cliffs

Chico making friends on the walk.

Kuilei Cliffs

Hiding in plane sight, is this obscure bronze plaque that commemorates Amelia Earhart’s solo flight from Hawai’i to California in 1935.

Muriel Flanders Park

Sitting in the shadow of Diamond Head, is this small spit of a park named after a local philanthropist.

Operation Red Wings Medal of Honor Park

Ferlino stopping at the park that was formerly called Fort Ruger Park. It was renamed in honor of the 19 sailors and soldiers that perished in the operation that was named after a hockey team.

Kahala Avenue

Defying the sit-lie rule.

Kahala Avenue

Somebody else was defying as well.

Kealaolu Avenue

Teeing off for the annual Sony Open.

Aloha Island Mart

It seems on this island that everybody knows each other in the hiking community.

Waialae Avenue

Approaching the intersection where H1 Highway ends and Kalaniana’ole Highway starts.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Some people stump for political views, while others stump for photo opportunities.

Aina Haina McDonald’s

We grabbed some happy meals with identical squishmallows at the first golden arches in Hawaii that opened back in 1968.

Calvary by the Sea

I heard this Lutheran Church is a popular venue for weddings.

Kawaikui Beach Park

Powered strictly by physical exercise and carbon dioxide. No stripped mopeds were abused or removed in the making of this photograph. So put your camera away mister bystander.

Paiko Drive

Mari entering the wildlife sanctuary that is also called Sand Point. The area was named after an early Portugese settler named Pico, whose name eventually became Paiko.

Paiko Drive

Looking out towards what British sailors called Diamond Hill in 1825 due to calcite crystals on the nearby beach. It was later changed to Diamond Headland and shortened to what most people call it today.

Paiko Lagoon

Pre-recorded message being played for our convenience. Many beach communities are being restricted by people outside of Hawai’i who want the land all to themselves and will go to great lengths and deception to keep it that way, which always results in friction between the locals and the newcomers.

Paiko Lagoon

“Bushwhacking” our way through the small section of forested area.

Paiko Lagoon

Following the sandy shoreline.

Paiko Lagoon

We soon ran out of dry sand to walk on and had to go barefoot to traverse the small channel.

Paiko Lagoon

The rest of the group getting their feet wet.

Paiko Lagoon

Drying our feet on driftwood with background views of Koko Crater and Koko Head.

Paiko Lagoon

Fishing dog.

Paiko Lagoon

Some jumped.

Paiko Lagoon

Others got carried.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Are we in Hawai’i Kai? The Hawaiian land division of Waimanalo actually ranges from Kuli’ou’ou to Keolu Hills.

Maunalua Bay

Looking out into the bay that was once home to a 523 acre fishpond that spanned from Kuli’ou’ou to Portlock. The British called it King George Bay when they landed in 1786, but the name never stuck.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Crossing over the bridge that is at the mouth of the Hawaii Kai Marina that was formerly called Kuapa Pond.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Chico wooing his third one in order to enter the highest heaven as taught by the FLDS. This one just got dead flowers thrown on the side of the road. I guess we know where she stands in the hierarchy of life.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Crossing over the pedestrian bridge as we passed somebody enjoying their solitary lunch.

Leonard’s Malasada

We stopped at Koko Marina Center for some sugar coated fried Portugese pastry. Thanks to Chico for the tasty treats.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Burning off the recently acquired calories as we walked up the hill.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

The group found a red beaked bird that had flown its wings for the last time. Endemic or invasive?

Hanauma Bay

Group photo at the entrance to the popular marine bay that was once the playground for Hawaiian nobility and is now limited to 720 people daily from the unrestricted highs of 10,000 visitors a day.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Leaving the Toilet Bowl as we approached views of Koko Crater and the rugged coastline.

Lana’i Lookout

Group photo at the popular scenic point. Is that a whale breaching offshore?

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Where is the sidewalk?

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Going underneath the spandrel arch bridge that was built back in 1931.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Descending down to the rugged coastline that was being battered by high surf.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Never turn your back towards the ocean.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Going through the lava tube that would spit us out back on the highway.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

The girls waiting for us to come back. No venturing off the beaten path for them today.

Japanese Fishing Shrine

Group photo at the Umi Mamori Jizo shrine carved out of lava rock in 1940 that was dedicated to keeping fishermen safe from the often turbulent waters.

Halona Puka

We walked out further to explore a hole in the rocks.

Halona Blowhole

Watching the sea spray shooting out of the lava tube. In 2002, Daniel Dick decided to straddle the blowhole, despite warnings from bystanders and signs, the 18 year old was thrown in the air from the geyser and fell head first into the lava tube and drowned as a result.

Halona Cove

Marco?

Halona Cove

No Polo from the spit of sand that is also called Cockroach Beach.

Halona Blowhole

We took a group photo at the popular lookout since the geyser show stopped.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Approaching the popular bodyboarding spot known to Hawaiians as Wawamalu. The shore breaks attract bodyboarders and bodysurfers but the beach also accounts for the highest incidents of water-related spinal cord injuries on the island, earning it another nickname, “break-neck beach.” This is also President Obama’s favorite beach and the city council tried renaming the beach after him in 2014. Luckily, the move gained no traction with the public.

Sandy Beach

Somebody was not getting enough airflow to lift off. Get a motorized one pal.

Kealahou Street

Tessa checking out her haul for the day: North Face cap, Korean sunglasses and a Japanese charm.

All pau

We reached our cars at the cul-de-sac and caught the sunburst behind us.

GPS Tracks

Our longest section of the perimeter walk stretched over 14 miles with a fun group. Post hike meal at Mama Pho, the less crowded of the Vietnamese restaurants.

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.

We hiked a ridge that may be under threat from urban development. Hike today. Gone tomorrow. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

No peeping

Glenn, Matt, Ryan, Thessa, and Tom joined me today. A friendly owner let us through his property to gain access to the ridge.

Good Morning Hawaii Kai

Henry Kaiser’s swamp to suburban vision. Build it and they will live here.

Kuli’ou’ou Ridge

Most people take the State ridge trail to get to the summit, we took the ridge trail.

Baby cacti

Passed a bunch of budding cacti.

Selfie rock

The moai of Kuli’ou’ou. Rain showers passed over the valley. We dug out our raingear. Rain showers stopped.

Loose rocks

We soon left the exposed ridge to head into a grove of ironwood pine trees.

Pine needle slide

Let your butts do the walking.

Kuli’ou’ou shortcut

Thessa pointing to the trail that bypasses the switchbacks from the bottom.

Hat junction

Passing the lost and found trail.

Selfie tree

A tree with multiple branches favored itself to our collective photo. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

State trail

The ridge soon connected to the bustling State trail.

Outdoor gym

Pull up versus chin up contest.

Who’s next?

Push. Oh. Pull.

Looking back

Tom coming up the trail.

Kuli’ou’ou summit

Group photo at the windy 2,028′ summit left to right: Tom, Glenn, myself, Thessa, Ryan and Matt. Photo by Tom Engle.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Solitary view

Matt wishing he had a parachute.

Passing the sign

Leaving the crowded summit.

KSRT

We left the ridge for a short crossover on the Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail.

Dirt scramble

One step forward. Two steps back. Nobody gets too far like that. This kind of hike can never last.

Bear claw ridge

The right claw needs to come out of hibernation.

Lunch break

We dropped down below the ridgeline to get a little relief from the winds. Like trade lunch? Photo by Ryan Meyer.

Back on the trail

Resuming our windy hike to Pu’u o Kona.

Eroded section

Carefully making our way across. Photo by Tom Engle.

Scenic lookout

Views of Waimanalo and a particular Windward ridge of interest. Photo by Ryan Meyer.

Puu o Kona

Group photo at the 2,200′ summit. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Going down

It’s all downhill from here.

Looking back

Leaving the summit behind.

Crumbly rocks

Tom making his way down with the help of a *gasp* rope.

Ridging

Up a ridge. Down a ridge.

Uluhe slide

Letting gravity do all the work. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kalapa o maua ridge

Bushwhacking ahead.

Shoelace tying lesson

Double slip knot. It really works. No, I’m not buying dinner.

Sea of uluhe

A month earlier, Ryan and I had bushwhacked up from the bottom of the ridge to just shy of the summit. Never start late, never fight gravity and never underestimate Mother Nature.

Break time

Checking out the views of Kuli’ou’ou Valley.

Contouring

We skirted the pockets of thick trees that blocked our forward progress.

Moku boundary wall

Old Hawaiian property line that once ran from the Ko’olau summit to the edge of the reef in the ocean.

Bailout trail

Anybody see a black Sony camera? Anybody?

Rock chair

Sometimes you have to just sit down and enjoy the view.

Winding down

The group following the ridge down. Photo by Tom Engle.

See anything?

The lower part of the ridge was particularly thick with loose rocks and small hardy trees that forced us to stay to the left of the rock wall.

Future development?

Looking at the possible future site of another high-end luxury gated community. Another affordable housing project that Hawaii so desperately needs.

Paiko lagoon

A breach in the rock wall allowed us passage to the other side of the ridge.

Water tank

The end of our hot journey was in sight. It felt like we were hiking in Waianae.

Got water?

Fun hike with a fun crew. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

All pau

The crew walking out the paved road.

GPS Tracks

The windy, hot and rocky hike covered 6.92 miles. Post hike meal at Outback. Same booth. Sniff?