The Nu'uanu Overlook Hike

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Nuuanu Overlook via Pu'u Ohi'a Trail, Manoa Cliffs Trail, Pauoa Flats Trail - May 14, 2011


Today I decided to attack the Makiki Trail System again. The plan was to start at Manoa Cliffs, then take a right at Pauoa Flats to the Nuuanu Overlook. By doing this, it will better prepare me for Konahuanui, planned for this summer 2011. I had a late 2 pm start. 

I was driving up Tantalus Drive at about 1:50 pm and in the corner of my eye I seen the Pu'u Ohi'a Trailhead. WTF! Last time, I searched forever trying to find the trailhead for this damn trail and came up empty. Now, from the corner of my eye driving at 30 mph, I see the words PU'U OHI'A in passing, WTF! Anyway, I had to do it! I turned around and headed toward the parking lot near the Pu'u Ohi'a trailhead. 

My initial plan died, AGAIN! But that was okay, I reverted back to my previous plan in April when I tried to figure out Pu'u Ohi'a to Pauoa Flats.
 
Now, my plan was to do Pu'u Ohi'a, then go onto Manoa Cliffs, and finally onto Pauoa Flats to the Nuuanu Overlook which is the starting point to Konahuanui. Pu'u Ohi'a is a nice trail. The first switchback provides a great view of Honolulu and Diamond Head.

first view on trail

After about 1/2 a mile, the trail ends abruptly and you enter a concrete road. According to the map, you walk up that road and the Pu'u Ohi'a trail continues at the end of the road. The problem is that the concrete road goes up hill. It wasn't hard, but it did require some sweating. At the end of the road is some type of building set up to service telephone communications.

Communications tower
 
I rejoined the Pu'u Ohi'a trail and walked down further until the trail intersected Manoa Cliffs. The good part about this route is that your only on Manoa Cliffs for about 5 minutes, then you intersect the Pauoa Flats trail. 

The Makiki Trail System, as intricate as it is, most of the trails don't lead to anything spectacular. That is why the Pauoa Flats Trail is so important, it actually leads to something. Also of note, the Pauoa Flats Trailhead can only be reached via 3 ways 1) Manoa Cliffs 2) Nuuanu 3) Aihualama (and maybe Kalawahine, but I haven't done that trail yet). In essence, the Pauoa Flats is the middle man of the Makiki Trail System. Its like the keymaker in the Matrix, you have to go through him first to get access towards your goal.

With all the sweet talk being said, the Pauoa Flats trail had two shitty things going for it. 1) Its rooty, if you have weak ankles, you'll probably sprain them. 2) Its muddy as hell, even on this hot day. 

It only took 1 hour to get to the Nuuanu Overlook via Pu'u Ohi'a. I had to share it with a bunch of tourist. I really don't mind, but these tourist weren't friendly and were coming off as arrogant, so I had a problem with that. I only stayed for 5 minutes. I sat down, ate a snack, took a few pictures, and I was out of there. Going back was the same way coming in. You have to memorize your route or your going to end up somewhere else. On the way to Pu'u Ohi'a trail and on the concrete road, I mistakenly took a sub trail. Luckily the sub trail ended up on Pu'u Ohi'a, so no big mistake. I hurried home because I was hungry and a mouth watering BBQ Brisket was simmering in the crock pot and awaiting my mouth. 

Nuuanu Overlook

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