Walk around Oahu (Kahuku to Hauula)

Our perimeter walks seemed to be getting shorter in mileage as the heat increases. Inverse relationship in action.

Kualoa Beach Park

Bus fare or Holo card in hand, we boarded the bus that would take us to our starting point.

Kamehameha Highway

How many miles will we cover today?

Kamehameha Highway

Passing some of the 568′ tall wind turbines that make up the Kahuku Wind Farm. These giant pinwheels were shipped to Hawaii in 2019 and were met and blockaded by protesters at the port and at the site, police eventually arrested the lot of them so that the installation could be completed. These spinning behemoths have been shown to result in health problems for the residents that live under its shadow. A decision by the Honolulu City Council in 2024 to not allow height repairs and changing the land set back rules will probably result in the windmills coming down between 2031 to 2040 when their power contracts expire. A small victory and relief for the community of Kahuku. This all came about due to the Clean Energy Law that was passed in 2015 that mandates that Hawaii be 100% clean energy by 2045. The State in its infinite wisdom shut down the last coal fired power plant in 2022 to force HECO to comply with the 2045 deadline before ensuring that the raft of wind and solar power can adequately meet the island’s energy needs. Hawaii wanted to be the first in the nation to be 100% fossil fuel free, what a joke. Hawaii can’t even maintain a decent road infrastructure and rein in the cost of living for its residents. Another burden that the incompetent politicians have left as a legacy to its residents.

Kamehameha Highway

We decided to stop at this nearby collection of establishments that were still closed for business. Too early. Come back later.

Kamehameha Highway

Checking out the intricately carved wood sculptures and Tanaka Shrimp which is the successor to Fumi’s that shuttered awhile back.

James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge

Passing the wetland sanctuary established in 1976, that are home to many native and endemic Hawaiian species.

Kamehameha Highway

Waving the flag of the largest country in South America.

Kamehameha Highway

Vinyl and wood co-existing peacefully.

Kamehameha Highway

Group photo in front of a wooden reminder of the trains that used to run in this area. Kahuku Plantation retired its railroad in 1954 in favor of trucks.

Kahuku Sugar Mill

Standing on the remnants of the mill that shut down in 1971 due to Hawaii being unable to compete on the world sugar stage.

Kahuku Sugar Mill

Drone view.

Kahuku Sugar Mill

Is that a gecko or an anole (iguana)?

Kahuku Sugar Mill

Took a photo with the pidgin speaking mongoose.

Kahuku Sugar Mill

Butterfly wings courtesy of the food truck.

Kahuku Superette

Dropping in at the general store that has been around in its present form since 1992 and is credited with popularizing the poke bowl.

Kahuku Superette

We tried the tako poke, ahi poke and the spicy poke. Tako poke was hands down the winner.

Kamehameha Highway

Here comes the rain.

Kamehameha Highway

Cristy picking the milky carissa berries.

Gunstock Ranch

Feeding and petting the horses. Weeds work best, not carrots.

Gunstock Ranch

Wanna hear a horse talk? Anybody got peanut butter?

Kamehameha Highway

Most of the businesses in this Mormon town are closed to observe Sabbath day as one of rest and worship. But I guess even Mormons need gas on Sundays.

Kamehameha Highway

Passing the private college owned and operated by the LDS Church. The nearby Polynesian Culture Center is also owned and operated by the LDS church and serves to preserve the Pacific cultures, teach LDS missionaries the Pacific language and cultures of the island they will work in and provide jobs for the students.

Kamehameha Highway

Can you see me now Hawaiian eyes?

Kamehameha Highway

Sea grapes which are sweet and tart fruits, were introduced to Hawaii as a seashore windbreak.

Kamehameha Highway

You have to watch them bloom at night under a full moon.

Kamehameha Highway

Ancient swings were made of wooden planks and rope hung from tree limbs. If ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Kamehameha Highway

Here comes the rain. Again.

Hau’ula

We stopped to have some food at a local favorite located in a strip mall, Papa Ole’s. However, most of the food was sold out and the wait was at least 35 minutes. So most of us jumped ship and had ice cream at the nearby Baskin-Robbins. 31 flavors. Not quite.

All pau

Boarded the bus back to our cars. Riding in air conditioned comfort.

GPS Tracks

Our abbreviated perimeter walk #11 covered a rather paltry 7.66 miles with good company. We still got more than the recommended 10,000 steps a day for health benefits.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Cristy CM, Dale Yoshizu, Kenny Lui, Mari Saito, Roger Schiffman, Val Wang 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.

Tagged as: byu hawaii, gunstock ranch, hauula, james campbell national wildlife refuge, kahuku sugar mill, kahuku superette, kahuku wind farm, kualoa beach park, laie, polynesian cultural center, tanaka shrimp