We spent Girl’s Day wrapping up our perimeter walk around the island.

Hawaii Kai

Met up with the gang and parked near the only golf course on the eastern side of the island. We then walked to the starting point, some lawbreakers didn’t want to walk on the sidewalk. The crowd that I hang out with, hope it doesn’t rub off on me.

Sandy Beach

We caught the breaking sunrise at the birthplace of modern bodyboarding in the islands.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Leaving the extinct tuff cone behind us, also commonly confused with Koko Head. Tomato. Tomatoe.

Ka’iwi Shoreline Trail

We decided to avoid being potential roadkill and elected to make our way on the trail that is part of 340 acres of State park that is supposed to be kept in its wild and natural state for perpetuity. No beach side luxury homes for the affordable market.

Ka’iwi Shoreline Trail

The group walking on the roughly one mile sandy trail that leads to Makapu’u.

Wawamalu Bridge

Akira figuring out anyway to stay high, whether its elevated or medicinal. The bridge is named after the area that means shady valley in Hawaiian.

Ka’iwi Shoreline Trail

Approaching the lava rock formation known as Kapaliokamoa or Cliff of the Chicken. However, most people know it as Pele’s Chair.

Ka’iwi Shoreline Trail

The group nearing Ka’ili’ili Bay also commonly known as Alan Davis Beach after the man that founded Wawamalu Ranch in 1922. We could also see a solitary hiker perched on top of Pele’s Chair. Monkey see, monkey do.

Pele’s Chair

Climbing up to the vantage point where the other islands of Molokai, Maui and Lanai can be seen on a clear day.

Pele’s Chair

A man’s got to know his limitations.

Pele’s Chair

Does it look more like a chicken than a chair?

Pele’s Chair

It was getting crowded at the top as Agnes was the last to join us.

Pele’s Chair

Group photo at the top.

Pele’s Chair

What goes up, must come back down, with a little help from her friends.

Ka’iwi Shoreline Trail

Leaving the last seating of the volcanic goddess as we climbed our way up.

Ka’iwi Shoreline Trail

Some in the group straggling behind to catch the splendid views from the rugged coastline.

Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail

Joining the roughly one mile paved road filled with two legged and four legged hikers.

Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail

Somebody needs to get with the program.

Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail

Standing tall before falling down. Luckily, a dog was there to save Chico from himself.

Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail

Group photo at the lookout before some of us decided to touch the lighthouse up close and personal.

Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail

Some stayed and some dribbled down the cliff.

Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail

Going down the express way.

Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail

Agnes hopping off the rock.

Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail

Approaching the lighthouse that was built in 1909.

Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail

What happened to the railings?

Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie!

Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail

Can you see the hiker for the tree?

Makapu’u Lighthouse

Group photo at the southeasternmost point of Oahu.

Makapu’u Cliffs

When you got to go, you got to go.

Makapu’u Cliffs

Passing the WW2 pillboxes on our way down to the lookout.

Makapu’u Cliffs

We went looking for whales but caught rainbows instead.

Makapu’u Cliffs

Karen showing us her climbing chops.

Makapu’u Cliffs

While some of us practiced our climbing down below, the rest took panoramic pictures topside.

Makapu’u Cliffs

Rainbow breath, better than bad breath.

Makapu’u Cliffs

Karen peering out from one of the well camouflaged pillboxes.

Makapu’u Lookout

Contributing to the collection of ahu (pile of stones) scattered throughout the area that was put up by passing parties as evidence that they had been here at the spot named after a Tahitian god that had eight bright eyes.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Walking on the narrow shoulder as we shared the common artery with bicyclists and motorists.

Sea Life Park

Dale standing near the entrance to the aquatic park that first opened in 1964.

Makapu’u Beach Park

We took a bathroom break and took in the nearby views of Manana (Rabbit) and Kaohikaipu Islands, both seabird sanctuaries.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Back on the road again.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Edgar pointed out the volcanic rock (pohaku) protruding out of the water is one of many heiaus (temples) around the island.

Makai Pier

Drone view of the pier built in the 1960s.

Makai Pier

I left the close quarter flying to the chopper pilot.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Back on the highway with views of the divided hill that are an erosional remnant from the Ko’olau Volcano.

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Hello? We are political canvassing for the Republican Party. Can we come in and have a word? Hello?

Kalaniana’ole Highway

Akira smoking the cigarette from the pack of Crowns that Tessa had found on the side of the road. Can’t beat the real thing. High high.

Waimanalo Beach Park

Congratulations to Mari for completing the final segment of the perimeter walk around the entire island of Oahu.

All pau

Group photo at the end point. Much appreciation and thanks to all the friends that kept us company on the 14 walks and providing the logistical support for the drop offs and pick ups.

GPS Tracks

Our last perimeter walk covered roughly 6.35 miles that completed the 140 miles around the island. Post hike meal at Kalapawai Market where indoor seating was secured and a mix and match of deli food, 7-11 food and sidewalk food was enjoyed by the group.

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our final walk.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQzc6g0aRGw

Photos taken by Agnes Bryant, Akira Suzuki, Allison Banks, Chico Cantu, Dale Yoshizu, Edgar Gamaio, Ferlino Carinio, Jasmin Nepomuceno, Karen Bischoff, Mari Saito, Marilyn Bermudez, Monaliza Guillermo, 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 canceled our Saturday Pali Notches to Piliwale Ridge hike, so I tagged along with Chris and Kaimi for a Sunday hike from Makapu’u to Kamiloiki Ridge. Chris picked me up from Waioli Street and we met Kaimi at the Makapu’u lookout. Even security was there in the wee hours of the morning, in the form of Honolulu’s finest. Assured that our cars were safe as long as the donuts and coffee didn’t run out, we crossed Kalanianaole Highway around 6:14am to start our hike. 

Early Goats

We made our way up the rocky ridge following the chain link fence with danger signs plastered over them. As soon as we crested the top of the ridge, we noticed a herd of goats below us. After noticing our presence, they scampered away on their sure-footed hooves towards Sea Life Park. Now that’s what you call extreme hikers. 

Koko Crater

As we made our way along the ridgeline, views of Koko Crater and Kalama Valley opened up. 

Makapu'u Puka

The ridge soon robbed us of the elevation we had just gained, as we climbed down and took a brief break at the Puka. 

Makai Pier, Manana and Kaohikaipu Islands

We started climbing again as we made our way to Kamehame Ridge where a bird’s eye view of the Makai Pier, Rabbit and Turtle Islands greeted us. The sun also started coming out from the clouds, turning my face a bright beet red, despite the sunscreen that I had sprayed on earlier. In my opinion, this stretch of the Koolau’s is one of the hottest, rivaling those on the Waianae side.

Hang Glider Platform

No actual libation was involved in the making of this photograph at the second hang glider platform. 

Kamiloiki Stairs

We came down the steps from the second hang glider platform and made a right on the paved road which would lead us to the abandoned Nike Missile Station. Right before the locked gates, is a unlocked side gate that we went through to check out the Kamiloiki “Hidden” Stairs which like the Haiku Hidden Stairs only goes down partially towards Kamiloiki Valley.

Communication Tower

In an apparent oversight, some of the communication towers at the old Nike Missile Site are gated while others aren’t. Even the ones that are gated, can be easily circumvented as Chris ably demonstrates. 

Dead Man's Cat Walk

I have the runway, now all I need is a parachute.

Hang Glider

After waiting almost an hour at the Dead Man’s Cat Walk, one of the hang gliders took off from the second platform and put on quite an aerial show with his spins and turns. 

Waimanalo

Going down the saddle and climbing out of it, we made our way up to the grove of ironwood trees on the other side that would serve as our lunch spot.

Paragliders

As we munched on our bananas, granola bars and M&Ms; as that’s all the lunch wagon had left, a trio of paragliders circled lazily overhead. 

Panoramic view of Hawaii Kai and Waimanalo

 Click here to see the larger image.

Kamiloiki Ridge

We soon came to the summit of Kamiloiki Ridge and made our way down the ridge and came across a still smoldering campfire on the trail. Smokey says, “Only you can prevent forest fires.”

Pahua Heiau

The heat was bouncing off the clouds and rocks as we finally made our way down to the end of the trail which is marked by the Pahua Heiau. After we got into my car, we made a run for the border – Soft Taco’s and XL drinks with no ice.

Wanting to do a twist on the Kamiloiki hike that I had done over a month ago, and not wanting to thrash my legs again, we decided to hike from Kamiloiki ridge to Makapu’u. We parked one car at the Makapu’u lookout and then drove to find parking on Waioli Street , where we walked up Makahuena Place to start our hike.

Pahua Heiau

I never knew or imagined that an ancient Hawaiian temple or heiau was located smack dab in the middle of the sleepy suburbs in Hawaii Kai. But then again, the temple was here long before Henry Kaiser turned Kuapa Pond into his planned residential development in East Oahu. The trailhead starts from the left side of the heiau, where we followed the trail through hale koa and dried grass to make the top of the ridgeline.

Rainbow over Kuapa pond

We quickly gained elevation and saw this beautiful rainbow over a drastically shrunken Kuapa Pond and Hawaii Kai neighborhood.

Rain over Kamiloiki Valley

Rainbows do not exist without raindrops, as we were about to find out when several passing clouds dumped rain on us as we walked on the exposed part of the ridge.  As we neared the summit, clumps of trees provided much needed shade from the hot sun, which quickly replaced the rain.

Waimanalo

We made the summit in about two hours, where blue skies greeted us along with views of Mount Olomana and Waimanalo.

Abandoned Nike Missile Site

We then followed the trail to the right which descended into a saddle and then back up to the ridge where the abandoned Nike Missile Site sits. It looks steep from afar, but once you get up close and personal, it’s just another climb up the mountain. Nothing to get excited about. Well, that’s what I kept telling my friend.

Koko Crater and Koko Head

After making our way through the abandoned Nike missile complex and checking out the views of Koko Crater and Hawaii Kai, we followed the paved road until we found the ribbon marking the Makapu’u trail on our left. Climbing up the dirt steps, we saw one of two hang gliding platforms which had fantastic views of the ocean and the Waimanalo coastline. Speaking of hang gliding platforms, that reminds me that I better use my Groupon coupon for paragliding lessons before it expires in November.

Rabbit Island

This part of the trail until Makapu’u is completely exposed, there is no shade from the withering sun. We brought sunscreen but failed to use it, so much for the supposed intelligence of some higher primates.

Makapu'u Puka

There is a natural rock formation coming down the trail that is called the Makapu’u Puka, which can also be seen from the road down below. Hawaiian legend has it that an archer saw a rat on the ridge and shot it with his arrow from his canoe, thus creating the hole that exists today. We also met another group that was doing the hike from the opposite way, after talking story a little bit, we went our opposite ways.

Makapu'u Lighthouse

We could see the Makapu’u Lighthouse in the distance, which was established in 1909 and has the largest lighthouse lens in the country.

Makapu'u Lookout

After hiking six hours in the hot sun and rocky cliffs, we arrived back at the Makapu’u Lookout. Now we had to complete the most dangerous part of the hike, crossing the road without getting hit or run over by the speeding cars.

This was my fourth hike with the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club, and my first as a member. Good thing, as this hike was only open to members. We all met at the club’s house in Waimanalo and carpooled to the Makapu’u lookout. We crossed the road and gradually made our way up the rocky slope, basically following the fenceline. If you follow the ridgeline, you can’t go wrong or get lost.

Sea Life Park

We quickly gained elevation at 700+ feet and was looking down at Sea Life Park and the waves crashing down on Makapu’u Beach from a bird’s eye view.

Makapu'u Point

We soon left Makapu’u point and it’s lighthouse in the distance.

Kaulanaaka'iole Puka

At this hilltop of around 900 feet, we came across this puka in the rocks which can be seen from down below. Legend has it that the archer, Pikoiaka’alala, spotted a rat where this puka is and killed it with his arrow. That is why this place is called Kaulanaaka’iole or the “resting place of the rat.”

Hang Glider Launch Pad

After climbing another 1,200+ hill, we descended to a flat area that has some former Kamehameha School buildings and this launch pad that is used by hang gliders and para gliders.

Waimanalo coastline

After passing an abandoned Nike missile site, we regained the ridgeline and descended down the ridge which became somewhat steep for about 100 feet or so, but is quite manageable as there is also a rope to help you out. As I was walking down towards the saddle, I tripped on a root and banged my head on a rock. Luckily, I didn’t fall off the ridge, just lost a little blood.

Makapu'u Ridge

After figuring out that the cut wasn’t that serious, I resumed climbing up the ridge to the clump of Ironwood trees where everyone else was hanging out and eating their lunch.

Lunch Spot

Luckily, there was a kind nurse with a handy first aid kit in the hiking group, who cleaned up my cut. No stitches needed.

Koolau Summit Trail

After resting a bit, we eventually left the nice and cool shady tree covered spot and made our way down towards the Kamiloiki ridge, where it dropped to a saddle and then to the powerlines, in the middle of the photo, which marks the start of the TomTom trail.

TomTom Trail

The TomTom trail was named after Tom McGuire and Tom Cadle that “discovered” this old trail used by Hawaiian runners in the past. The trail descends somewhat steeply towards the town of Waimanalo where we popped out into a neighborhood inhabited by a lot of large and hopefully not loose dogs. We walked the rest of the way back to the clubhouse. The hike took approximately four hours and was moderate in difficulty.