Hiking Trails on Oahu

  Kuli’ou’ou Ridge Trail– April 22, 2011 I’ve been promising Chuck that I would join the Pearl City High School hiking club on a hike and finally after many empty promises, I fulfilled my promise. It was a perfect day to hike, wasn’t too hot, wasn’t too cold. The last time I visited Kuli’ou’ou was September 2010. I did the valley hike which led to two small waterfalls. This time was the more intermediate, ridge hike. Chuck said that we would gradually elevate through most of the trail and encounter great elevation towards the end. Sounded like Hawaii Loa Ridge. Chuck led the twelve person party up switchbacks, and for an old man Chuck led a furious pace. You needed to be in good condition to keep up with him. We took a few breaks and got to the steps section in about 2 hours. From there was 25 minutes of 45 degree angle stair master stepping toward the summit. No one wanted to admit it, but it took a lot of energy and we were huffing and puffing.  For me it was great. I alread...

  Makapu’u Lighthouse -  April 16, 2011 Our second trip to the Makapu’u Lighthouse was even better than the first trip. The Kona Winds were in effect and it was extremely hot again. It was like a hot fan blowing air on you. The family goal this time was to complete the lighthouse trail, go back to the entrance and hike the beach trail. The walk to the lighthouse was easier this time, maybe it was because I was 40 lbs lighter since 2009.  While Michelle and the kids were taking a break, I decided to sneak into the lighthouse entrance. The lighthouse entrance is off limits, maybe because the hike is so popular and there are steep drop offs on the way to the lighthouse. I maneuvered my way past the barbed wire fence and jogged along the white railing to the front of the lighthouse. There where fallen rocks everywhere, it kind of entered my mind for a minute, but I shook it off. I took a couple of pictures and went back to where Michelle and the kids ...