Met up at the aviation hub that was in danger of being shuttered until the State was granted a 50-year lease last year from the US Army.

Makua Cave

Thanks to Jeremy and Roger who shuttled us from Dillingham Airfield to Kaneana Cave.

Makua Cave

Group photo to kick off our walk.

Farrington Highway

Looking at the cave that wasn’t meant to be explored today due to various reasons.

Farrington Highway

Edgar had the right mode of transportation today.

Farrington Highway

Checking out a drainage pipe. Lucky it wasn’t raining today. We didn’t want to get washed out to sea.

Farrington Highway

Drone time.

Keawa’ula Bay

Entering the Kaena Point State Park. This area is more commonly known as Yokohama Bay, one of the stories of how this place got its name was that Japanese laborers landed on this very beach to build the OR&L train tracks that wrapped around the island in 1897.

US Space Force

Live long and prosper. Despite some trekkers claiming that the logo for the newly minted branch of the US military was a copy of the Star Trek logo, the delta symbol was first used by the US Army Airforce in 1942. So it seems that Star Trek copied the military and not the other way around.

Keawa’ula Bay

Walking on the last sandy stretch of beach on the west side.

Kaena Point State Park

Can you see the heart for the hole in the ground?

Kaena Point State Park

A different view of the “heart” that perhaps was “stolen” in the love triangle legend between Pele, Hi’iaka, and Lohiau.

Kaena Point State Park

Testing out Edgar’s e-bike. Did it spark interest to purchase one? Roger joked I could do the entire KST with such a bicycle. Watt a bright idea!

Kaena Point State Park

Checking out a seal basking on the rocky shoreline.

Kaena Point State Park

That’s not the arch we’re looking for on this trail.

Kaena Point State Park

Somebody was so impatient.

Kaena Point State Park

Group photo at the arch, which is a favorite among rock boulderers.

Kaena Point State Park

Taking the high road as nobody wanted to contour along the rocky shoreline.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Entering through the predator-proof fence that protects 59 acres that are home to seabirds and native plants.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Walking through one of the last intact dune ecosystem in the islands.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Sightings of wedge-tailed shearwater and Laysan albatrosses.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Seeking shade in the concrete pyramidal tower that was erected in 1919 and fell victim to erosion in 1990.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Two questions. Who wrote that message and whom is it for? Anybody sitting in close proximity?

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Walking around the tide pools.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Group photo with the current lighthouse.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Walking the sandy corridor as we made our way out.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

The albatross has one of the largest wingspan of any living bird, reaching a span of close to seven feet. Dwarfed only by the Wandering Albatross, whose wingspan can reach between 8 to 11′.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Passing the Spirit Leap Rock or leina a ka ‘uhane on our way out.

Kaena Point State Park

Edgar waiting for us as we exited the fenced reserve. Perfect timing.

Kaena Point State Park

Walking our way on the rocky and rugged coastline.

Kaena Point State Park

Never turn your back on the ocean. Unless it’s for a photo opportunity.

Kaena Point State Park

One was fishing and one was camping.

Kaena Point State Park

Fish of a scale swim together.

Kaena Point State Park

We think big and we dream big. It’s all a dream. Welcome back to reality.

Kaena Point State Park

Staying our distance as we saw one of 400 monk seals thought to inhabit these islands.

Kaena Point State Park

Yielding to 4×4 trucks making their way on the bumpy road.

Kaena Point State Park

No sign of Hawaii’s native yellow-faced bees, which look more like black wasps than the European honeybees. They are crucial pollinators for the native plants and without them, the ecosystem could collapse.

Kaena Point State Park

Somebody commented that the trail route was “stupid.” To each their own.

Kaena Point State Park

Remnants of the railroad tracks and trestles that used to run from Iwilei to Kahuku. The 1946 tsunami damaged the tracks, although repaired, never recovered due to the growth of automobile traffic which shifted the mode of transportation in the islands.

Kaena Point State Park

There is a distinct difference between an arch and a puka. Case in point.

Kaena Point State Park

Somebody didn’t get the standing memo.

Kaena Point State Park

Trading the sandy road for hard asphalt.

All pau

Walking back to our cars parked at Kawaihapai (Dillingham) Airfield and the end of our blistering walk.

GPS Tracks

Our eighth walk around the island covered 10.9 miles in “the heat” that were tempered with intermittent clouds and breezy winds with good company. Post hike meal at Julie’Z, where somebody was asked if they don’t eat Filipino food, as they brought their own tuna salad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x6_8EIn7TE

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our walk #8.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Alexis Catarina, Edgar Gamiao, Jeremy Cannone, Mari Saito, 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.

Taking advantage of the three-day weekend, I did another more inclusive exploratory hikes. The more the merrier. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Manoa

Met up with everybody in the back of the vast valley, some chose the paid parking and others chose the public parking. Group photo left to right: Aida, Lilyn, Tessa, Ani, myself, Barry, Quan, Dale, Donna, Marilyn, Edgar, Cat, Narissa and Art.

Paradise Park

We had to detour around perceived homeless voices before entering the now shuttered bird zoo that closed back in 1994. Photo by Art Young.

Paradise Park

Strolling through the mud trail under the canopied tunnel that looped around the decaying park. Photo by Art Young.

Paradise Park

Apparently not all of the birds left the park. Some chose to stay for the free handouts and fallen fruit. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Paradise Park

Ducking underneath the sagging parts of the tunnel.

Paradise Park

Striking or passing resemblance?

Paradise Park

We found a lot of fallen mountain apples and ripening red bananas on the path.

Paradise Park

Walking through just a tiny part of the sprawling 76 acre lot. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Paradise Park

Poking around the abandoned buildings that have fallen to the same fate as others of their kind – graffitied. The TV show “Lost” also used this location to film some of their episodes.

Paradise Park

Going through the interrupted tunnel section. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Paradise Park

Taking our seats for the next Hawaii Stars show. Bring back the bird on the bicycle.

Paradise Park

It was good that we took a collective photo, rather than individual shots. Otherwise, we would have been here all day until closing time. Photo by Art Young.

Paradise Park

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Paradise Park

Birds of a feather flock together or is that monkey see, monkey do?

Paradise Park

Tessa looking for fresh cut flowers. Cheaper than the swap meet. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Paradise Park

Marilyn caught the bouquet of the bird of paradise that left 10 other individuals sorely disappointed.

Paradise Park

Everybody chose a slightly different exit point to get back to our cars.

Manoa

Some of the group went to wash their spikes and then plucked some low hanging avocados. We then all piled into our cars to make the long drive towards the West side, with the exception of Barry who returned home. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NwzWXYEU1w

Video by Edgar Gamiao.

Keawa’ula Beach

We drove to the westernmost tip on the island for our next exploration. Photo by Art Young.

Heart Cave

Looking at the anatomically incorrect shape of the cave with the lava tubes pumping salt water in and out. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Heart Cave

I crawled into one of the inner caves to try and stick my head out into the big cave to get captured by the drone. No such luck. I would have ended up in the churning waters and battered by the barnacle encrusted rocks. I’m sure that would have been a source of amusement for the others, but not myself.

Heart Cave

Different … Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Heart Cave

… perspectives … Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Heart Cave

… of the pumping cave. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Heart Cave

Cat standing on the arch. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Heart Cave

Some of us climbed down into the outer caves. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Heart Cave

Edgar flashed us a shaka from the top where he was … Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Heart Cave

… safe from the rushing waters that completely soaked the lower half of my body.

Heart Cave

Peering up towards the irregularly shaped hole. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Heart Cave

Looking out towards the ocean. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Heart Cave

When the photo shoot is interrupted by the incoming waves. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Heart Cave

Can you see the heart for the people?

Pohaku Kula‘ila‘i

We parked in the sandy lot and walked past the gate to see the stone where locals and tourists alike jump off into the water. A smaller version of Waimea.

Makua Beach

Group photo at the spot where the TV show “Lost” built Jacob’s statue for one of their episodes “The Incident.”

Makua Beach

Checking out the cave, inside and outside.

Pray for Sets

Looking out towards the rock where the weathered words “Pray for Sex” can supposedly still be made out. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Makua Beach

Is somebody going to help me get out? Thanks Dale! I mean, Donna.

Makua Beach

Dale, Donna and Quan basking in nature’s infinity tidepool before we left the beach, prayers unanswered.

Kea’au Beach

We bumped our way to the next beach park down the coastline. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kea’au Beach

The product of erosion. Mother Nature’s work.

Kea’au Beach

High view.

Kea’au Beach

Low view.

Kea’au Beach

Goodbye view. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Kea’au Beach

When the big kid takes over the little kids water slide. We left the park to see turtles on a different street, but they were absent today, so we had a satisfying lunch at Coquito’s before heading to our last stop for the day.

Maili Beach

Is this the arch? No. It’s past the homeless camps, open pit toilets and stray dogs. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Maili Beach

When you reach a certain age, afternoon naps are crucial to doing any activity, strenuous or otherwise. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Maili Beach

Dale on top and Ani on bottom. The arch.

Maili Beach

As somebody pointed out, sequencing is everything.

Maili Beach

Marilyn warming up. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Maili Beach

Quan cooling off. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Maili Beach

Our last group photo for the day.

Maili Beach

We ended our day at Magnolia in Waipahu to all have some refreshing halo-halo’s. Many thanks to Dale, Edgar, Narissa and Quan for shuttling the group around the island and everybody for the fun times. Until the next adventure! Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8A4m0PEvjA

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our hike.

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.