We did a fun and short exploratory hike the day after Christmas. Met up with Aida, Edgar, Kathleen, Lilyn, Marilyn and Quan deep in Waiahole Valley.

Waiahole Valley

Leaving Eden as we crossed the small arched bridge to begin our hike.

Waiahole Valley

A bunch of vines does not make a bunch of roots. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiahole Valley

Reviving the past or just passing a rather large kidney stone.

Waianu Stream

Some of us plunged feet first into the stream.

Waianu Stream

Others struggled, unnecessarily I might add, to stay dry by either rock hopping or clinging to the fern covered stream banks.

Waianu Stream

My elevator service has apparently branched off into the horizontal world as well. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiahole Valley

Scrambling up the steep hill with loose rocks underfoot. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiahole Valley

Golf balls littered the hill as there used to be a three hole golf course around here back in the day.

Waiahole Valley

Pulling ourselves up the tree lined hill.

Waiahole Valley

Kathleen looking refreshed after her upper body workout.

Pu’u Maikikiki

All feet on the survey marker.

Pu’u Maikikiki

Looking for a view. Any view at all.

Pu’u Maikikiki

Our tree framed view of Pu’u Ohulehule, the triangular peak that rises from the floor of Kahana Valley.

Pu’u Maikikiki

Group photo by Edgar Gamiao.

Waiahole Valley

We followed the faint trail through the ridge line on our way down.

Waiahole Valley

Stuck in the sea of uluhe ferns. What’s going on here? Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiahole Valley

Weaving our way through the bamboo forest. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Waiahole Valley

Threading our way through the primitive grasses.

Waiahole Valley

Following the sound of water to its source. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Waianu Stream

Back in the tributary waters of Waiahole Stream. The Waiahole Ditch that was constructed in 1917 siphoned off the valley waters to the Leeward side for the sugar plantations and the water was finally restored back in 2000 after the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled in favor of Waiahole Valley.

Waianu Stream

Some people still trying to stay dry and working on their balancing skills.

Waianu Stream

Others accepted the inevitable and got their feet wet along with their farm to table pickings.

All pau

Reflections and serenity at the koi fish pond. Thanks to Edgar for allowing us to roam around his daughter’s house backyard and Marilyn for organizing the day.

GPS Tracks

Our loop hike covered roughly 1.2 miles through the lush forest and clear flowing stream. Post hike meal at Waiahole Poi Factory where the poi was pounded fresh and the chili pepper water flowed from the table to the beef luau stew. Broke da mouth.

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our Pu’u Makahiki Exploration Hike.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCS0Yj49wlU

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.