Our hike today was over ten years in the making for a certain individual. Today his dream came true. Semper Fi. Thankfully, Hurricane Nolo was a bust this weekend.
Waimanalo
Thanks to Allison for dropping us off in the back woods of Waimanalo. We met another hiking group that were waiting to be assembled to go tramping in the foothills and one of them was kind enough to take our group photo.
Waimanalo
Somebody stepped on dog shit. The smell was in the air. Shoe checking.
Waimanalo
Jeremy bear hugging his way to the top.
Waimanalo
Wasaaaaabi! Just missing the sushi.
Waimanalo
Group photo with the backdrop of the knife edged peak named after the overseer who was tasked with managing the wetlands of Kawainui.
Waimanalo
Cristy climbing and crawling her way through one of the fallen trees that blocked the trail.
Ahiki
Making our way up the base of the third peak.
Ahiki
Aileen waiting in the climbing queue.
Ahiki
Jeremy and Cristy approaching the next near vertical climb.
Ahiki
Are we there yet?
Ahiki
Just pull up. You’re in my way, Kenji!
Ahiki
Scary! Ririi? It was also Akira’s first time ascending the backside of Olomana.
Ahiki
Did you even look this side? I see what you mean. When expectations tries to trump experience.
Ahiki
The best seat in the house.
Ahiki
When the eyes speak volumes.
Ahiki
Aileen contouring and climbing this treed section.
Ahiki
Cristy climbing to the best seat in the house.
Ahiki
Approaching the shakiest section of the trail. Literally.
Ahiki
Missing the PVC pipe ladder.
Ahiki
Group photo at the lowest of the three peaks at 1,480′ elevation.
Three Peaks
Climbing our way down from what is considered the most “technical” of the three peaks.
Ahiki
Making our way to the two remaining peaks.
Three Peaks
Can you see me for the hole? The Olomana Puka.
Three Peaks
Descending our way down the crumbly rocks.
Keyhole
Who’s climbing to the top? Crickets. Not even chirping.
Keyhole
Trying to cram five hikers in our group photo frame.
Keyhole
Contouring around the fractured dike that will surely crumble under its own weight one day.
Three Peaks
Approaching the base of the middle peak as we entered the canopied area that provided shade and shelter from the sun.
Paku’i
Climbing up one of the steeper sections of the trail.
Paku’i
Aileen looking back at the rest of the group making their way up.
Paku’i
Jeremy striking a pose that many hikers imitate with the background of the third peak.
Paku’i
Relaxing in the ultra light hammocks on the 1,520′ peak, that was named after the overseer of the Ka’elepulu fishponds. One of us even got spoon fed. Talk about service.
Paku’i
Traversing our way to the last and highest peak.
Olomana
Blowing Chef’s Kiss at the 1,643′ peak named after the giant and imposing warrior that once ruled the land between Makapu’u and Kualoa.
Olomana
Taking our leave of the highest peak as we descended towards the foothills of Maunawili.
Olomana
Scrambling down the big rock, where Jeremy descended down the difficult route. Once a Marine, always a Marine.
Olomana
Climbing our way down the still steep section of the trail.
Olomana
Treading softly on the carpet of pine needles.
Olomana
Checking out a traditional ahupua’a land division marker on the shortcut trail out.
Olomana
Dropping down to the exit point which spits us out close to the guard house for the Royal Hawaiian Golf Club.
All pau
Walking back to our cars as we ended our 3.55 mile hike across the divided or forked hill with fun company and good friends. Post hike meal at Don Goyo’s Mexican Food. Delicioso!
Photos/Crew taken by Aileen Agustin, Akira Suzuki, Cristy CM, Jeremy Cannone, 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.
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