Projected heavy rain showers lead us to visit a waterfall. I still haven’t learned my lesson. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Trailhead

Thanks to Jasmin for dropping Aida, Art, Ferlino, Lilyn, Tessa and myself off in the mountains above Tantalus.

Pu’u Ohia Trail

Art taking point on the trail and guiding us on what was a promised four hour hike. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Pu’u Ohia Trail

Making our way through the dense bamboo forest that diffused the sunlight from above.

Recess

We took an unintended detour off the trail and found a lonely swing on a tree. Playtime in the mountains.

Pu’u Ohia Trail

Threading our way through the densely packed bamboo forest.

Access Road

The trail soon spit us onto a paved road. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Access Road

Disappointment registered strongly in some of us when we found out that the Tantalus Tower has been taken down. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Access Road

Going up the short and steep incline.

Access Road

Leaving the paved road to connect back to the trail. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Pauoa Flats Trail

Entering the gated community of Pauoa. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Pauoa Flats Trail

Ferlino passing through the forest of bendy trees. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Pauoa Flats Trail

Lilyn was catcalling for the catwalk. Strutting our stuff on the runway. Some did it more suggestively than others.

Pauoa Flats Trail

Art sawing off bamboo poles for the muddy trails ahead.

Pauoa Flats Trail

Heading up towards the lookout.

Nu’uanu Overlook

It was another touchy-feely moment in the mountains.

Trail

Going up the grassy trail that leads to Konahuanui.

Trail

Ferlino overlooking the Nu’uanu Reservoir. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Trail

Looking ahead to the double tiered waterfalls nestled on the slopes of the highest peak on the Ko’olau Range. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Trail

We split from the main trail to descend down to the falls. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Trail

Going down one of the roped steep sections. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Trail

Crossing the runoff trail.

Upper Lulumahu Falls

Group photo left to right: Lilyn, Tessa, Art, Aida, Ferlino and myself.

Upper Lulumahu Falls

Does Lilyn think she is going to climb down to Lulumahu Falls? Think again. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Upper Lulumahu Falls

While we were checking out the larger of the upper falls, a big group descended on the falls resulting in a traffic jam.

Upper Lulumahu Falls

The larger group migrated to the upper tier and monopolized the smaller falls, which resulted in only their group photo being taken.

Upper Lulumahu Falls

The rest of our group moved to the top of the lower falls and took their edge of their seats pictures.

Upper Lulumahu Falls

This was my edge of the seat photo. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Trail

Tessa going back up the trail.

Trail

Taking a short, snack break at the junction. Photo by Aida Gordon

Trail

We had to do single file shuffling as we got behind the larger group.

Nu’uanu Overlook

Pressing on past the lookout.

Pauoa Ridge

Ferlino going up the ridge instead of the flats trail. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Nu’uanu Trail

Dropping off the ridge and onto the wide and maintained trail.

Nu’uanu Trail

Going with the flow of gravity down the trail. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Judd Trail

Art turning onto the trail.

Judd Trail

Most of us tried our hand and legs at climbing up the slippery banyan tree.

Judd Trail

Making our way down the switch backs. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Judd Trail

Hitting the loop trail. We skipped the scenic route and went straight to the stream.

Cooke Pines

Reaching for the sky. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Judd Trail

Passing through one of the hau groves where we soon passed the popular watering hole, Jackass Ginger Pool.

Nu’uanu Stream

Scrubbing and washing our lower extremities with what we thought was clean water. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Nu’uanu Stream

Leaving the stream, feeling clean and refreshed, as we headed towards the Old Pali Road to wait for our ride. Photo by Aida Gordon.

All pau

We looked over the bridge and discovered a headless rotting carcass of a pig that the stream water washed over and trickled down to where we had sat and scrubbed. Not feeling so clean and refreshed anymore, are we?

GPS Tracks

Thanks to Art for showing us the falls on our 7.96 mile hike, despite taking longer than the promised time, but we still had loads of fun. Mahalo to Jasmin for picking us up. Post hike meal at Dean’s Drive Inn. I should have ordered the tripe stew instead.

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.

Blustery conditions pushed Chris, Kailon and myself off the mountains and into Manoa Valley for Plan B. More waterfalls. I just can’t get away from them lately.

Trailhead

Early birds get free parking.

Manoa Falls Trail

Kailon going up the stone steps.

Manoa Falls #1

A good place to stash water and a sweater.

Manoa Falls

Time to climb some trees. Tree roots to be exact.

Manoa Falls

Kailon climbing up nature’s ropes.

Manoa Falls #2

We left the crowds and a pair of shoes behind us as we started hiking up the seemingly never ending stream of waterfalls.

Manoa Falls

Rooting up the mountain.

Manoa Falls

Chris making his way up the tricky rock face.

Manoa Falls

Chris making his way down …

Manoa Falls #3

… to another waterfall. Time to start counting and contouring.

Manoa Falls

We contoured and climbed too far up …

Manoa Falls

… and overshot at least two waterfalls.

Manoa Falls #6

Looking for tilapia. Nothing but guppies. Who brought the fishing poles?

Manoa Falls #7

Looking for mynah birds. Nothing but mosquitoes. Who brought the bug spray?

Manoa Falls

Chris and Kailon scrambling up on the vegetated side of the waterfalls.

Manoa Falls #8

Tickle of a trickle coming down the wall.

Manoa Falls #9

The flow was better from the top. So was the view.

Manoa Falls

The water coursing and carving its way through the boulder laced stream.

Manoa Falls #10

A waterfall spilling down into the seemingly sluggish stream.

Manoa Falls #11

Top down point of view. Photo by Kailon Tyndzik.

Manoa Falls

Looking back at the slowly rippling stream flowing down the mountain.

Manoa Falls #12

Chris on the left …

Manoa Falls

… Chris on the right.

Manoa Falls

Does this count as a waterfall?

Manoa Falls #13

A rare sight in the mountains. The bare footed hiker.

Manoa Falls

The rest of us not sure footed hikers relied on our micro-spikes to purchase traction on the moss and wet slicked rocks.

Manoa Falls #14

Chris hugging the side of the rocks in his bid to stay dry.

Manoa Falls #15

Sprinkle of raindrops.

Manoa Falls

Chris rock hopping up the stream.

Manoa Falls #16

Splatter of raindrops.

Manoa Falls

The stream being split into twins.

Manoa Falls

Native flora.

Manoa Falls #17

Kailon took a slip into the water and rebounded back faster than one can say iPhone.

Manoa Falls #18

Shallows to the deep end. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Manoa Falls

Solitude in the stream. Soon to be interrupted.

Manoa Falls #19

Public water fountain.

Manoa Falls

Chris meandering his way upstream.

Manoa Falls #20

The stream falling down the mountain seems to be the only reason stopping the jungle from completely covering all traces of her rugged character.

Manoa Falls

Colony of bamboo orchids.

Manoa Falls

We can see the the summit. False.

Manoa Falls #21

Scattered tree branches amidst the oftentimes dense jungle added to the colorful clutter.

Manoa Falls #22

Chris climbing up the waterfall.

Manoa Falls #23

Is this the final waterfall? Let’s take a group photo.

Manoa Falls #24

Kailon bare footing it up the waterfall.

Manoa Falls

Chris coming up one slippery rock at a time.

Manoa Falls

Kailon passing the weather beaten and water logged rope around the rock.

Manoa Falls #25

Maybe this is the last waterfall. Let’s take another group photo.

Manoa Falls

As our hike penetrated further into the mountain, the overgrowth seemed to close in as we approached the top.

Manoa Falls #26

This has got to be the last waterfall. One more group photo.

Manoa Falls

The approach contouring up the waterfall was somewhat steep and further complicated by mud, moss slicked boulders and suffocating ferns.

Manoa Falls

Deep in the jungle.

Manoa Falls #27

Wrong. Chris climbing up the last waterfall.

Manoa Falls

The clouds hung suspended near the mountain top, diffused and stayed by the thick canopy.

Manoa Falls

The source of the stream?

Trail

Our departure from the falls was greatly hastened by a relatively fresh cut trail. Most likely the work of the amazing HTMC trail clearing crew.

Trail

Chris pointing out another seemingly freshly cut trail on the other side of the mountain.

Trail

Looking into the misty ridges and valleys.

Trail

Where will this trail take us?

Trail

Civilization sighted.

Trail

We soon intersected with the trail that comes down from K2.

Upper Lulumahu Falls

The valley was populated with scattered hikers, here and there.

Trail

Chris and Kailon stepping over trees dislodged by a landslide.

Trail snacks

Still in season.

Trail

Kailon hopping over a tree on our way down.

Nu’uanu Valley overlook

Group photo overlooking Nu’uanu Reservoir, Saddle and Valley.

Trail

Taking the high and low road back down.

Aihualama Trail

Under and over the trees scattered on the trail.

Aihualama Trail

Visually impressive roots cascading down the hill.

Manoa Falls

Kailon recovered his sweater, we washed our mud off and took our final group photo.

Manoa Falls Trail

Two way traffic going down the now bustling trail.

Manoa Falls Trail

Looking back at another waterfall deep in the valley.

All pau

Time to put the shoes back on. Awesome adventure that covered over six miles up and down the mountain with an amazing crew. Post hike meal at Serg’s Mexican Kitchen. The soda costs the same next door.

Postscript: I was contacted by his sister, Laycie Love, several weeks ago advising me that her brother, Kailon Tyndzik, had been struck by a hit and run driver on Kauai and was battling to stay alive. He unfortunately passed on February 20, 2025. Even though I only hiked with this bruddah once, he struck me as a very positive young individual who had so much ahead of him and then his whole life was taken away by a reckless killer, Salvin Hilario. He was only 30 years old, I didn’t realize he was only 21 years old when he hiked with us. Such a senseless tragedy. Rest easy and fly high with the angels. If you want to support his memory and legacy, his gofundme page is linked here.

Note: I have been made aware the some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. It is not advisable to hike to waterfalls during heavy rain as one will be at risk to flash flood conditions and falling rocks. 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.