Hiking Trails on Oahu

Waiakeakua to Ka’au Crater – June 30, 2012 With recent rains and Pauao to Waiahole canceled, we decided to connect two trails known for their cascading waterfalls. 7D Steve thought of a route that involved climbing up Waiakeakua’s waterfalls, cross the Ko’olau summit, then go down Ka’au Crater’s waterfalls. Marvin and I actually thought of this route a few months ago, but it was 7D Steve who would make it happen. I met Steve at the Ka’au Crater trailhead. From there I drove us to Marvin’s house to pick him up. Then it was onto the Waiakeakua trailhead. We started around 8 am. The hike to the first falls was quick; it took us about ½ an hour. All of us climbed the first falls, one at a time. It looks spectacular because you have to climb through the falls. We then hit the 50 foot waterfall. We made it up without incident. Though the climb is hair raising because you have to rely on the rope near the top. The danger level is very high, if you fall, you may not survive. Marvin felt some s...

Kawiwi to Waianae Kai – June 24, 2012 Baron invited me to this hike about a month ago. Joining us were a bunch of Oahu Weekend Hikers. We projected this hike to be about 8 hours, but it would turn out to be longer than that.   I’ve always wanted to get to Kawiwi and I’ve always wanted to get to No Name. Today, I did both. This hike is not for the acrophobes. If your not use to the exposure, this hike can make you queasy.   The summit of Kawiwi is part of Kamaileunu ridge, so is the connector to No Name and thereon. If you don’t know, Kamaileunu ridge separates Waianae and Makaha valley. If you take the ridge all the way to the top, you’ll end up at Mount Ka’ala (the highest mountain peak on Oahu).   Baron picked me up from my house at 6 am. My car is out of commission for reasons I won’t go into because it is a long story. The meeting place was at Waianae Steve's house, however he wouldn't be joining us today. I don't think he has done Kawiwi and may never will for r...

Pu’u Ohulehule – June 17, 2012 I’ve always wanted to get to the pyramidal peak that dominates Kahana Valley. To get there becomes a story of determination and will. Marvin invited a few Oahu Weekend Hikers (OWH) members. Joining Marvin and I were Aaron, Thessa, and Lynne. No doubt, they have done and can handle this hike. The route today was up the Northwest ridge. There is also the Southeast ridge which Stuart Ball deems the, “the most dangerous hike on the island”. Doing the Southeast ridge today was 7D Steve. The goal was to meet up with Steve at the top of Ohulehule. Also, we were joining HTMC today as this was on their schedule. We started on the Nakoa trail and immediately crossed the Kahana dam. From there we went off the Nakoa trail and into a bamboo forest for near a mile and a few more stream crossings along the way. We eventually hit the northwest ridge of Ohulehule. Then it was incline hiking through a clear path surrounded by uluhe ferns. HTMC cleared the trail a few weeks...

1900’ Lookout – June 15, 2012 According to Stuart Ball twelve years ago, the Pu’u Manamana hike was considered one of the most dangerous hikes on the island. Of course, you might have to take that statement with a grain of salt because many more hikes on this island are far more dangerous. When I first got back into hiking in 2010, the Pu’u Manamana section of the book was a hike I thought I could never do, let alone accomplish. However as I progressed over the last two years, I’ve done a good amount of super hikes, advanced hikes, and difficult hikes.  There was no doubt that I could do this hike. Within the last two years, I’ve had opportunities to go on this hike; however I always had prior commitments I had to take care of. Marvin and I scheduled this hike early in the week and invited the 7D crew. Joining us today was Ikaika and Christian, both are horses. Our goal was to go up Kahekili ridge, past the upper hidden valley falls, connect to Manamana ridge (also known as Pu...

Manoa Cliffs – June 11, 2012 When you’re a family looking for a hike, exploring the Makua Trail System is a must. The system offers numerous trails that offer all the amenities of beginning hiking.   Today the kids and I hiked part of the Manoa Cliffs trail, turn on Pu’u Ohia, turned again on Round Top Drive, creating a loop. I thought this hike would be around 4 miles, but it was more like 3. My thought process was to take us on Manoa Cliffs first, so it would be less intense going down Roundtop Drive because going uphill on Tantalus provides one hell of a workout. expected route   We started a little after 10 am. I thought elevation was gained, but it wasn’t too bad. Malia complained about how hard it was. But I managed to get the tightness out of her head. Jared led the charge today. Most of the views were covered by vegetation. However, some views of Manoa Valley were present. Malia not interested   going through the nature preserve After about 1 hour we hit the Pauoa...

Waiahole Uka – June 9, 2012 I’ve been waiting for a chance to summit Kipapa, today was my opportunity. The Kipapa trail was built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was last hiked in 2003 by the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club (HTMC). Now days the U.S. Fish and Wildlife (FWS) oversees part of the land the Kipapa trail is on and only grants access for conservation efforts. The lower and upper parts are passable, but the middle section of the trail maybe overgrown. To summit Kipapa, hikers have to find alternate routes. One route is up a windward ridge in Waiahole, referenced as Waiahole Uka. There are many ridges coming down in the Waiahole area, at least 6, maybe more. However, only 3 appear doable. The route on the north end looks the most doable, but there is a notch near the top and HTMC trailblazer Dayle Turner couldn’t figure the problem out and deemed it undoable. There is another ridge on the south end that looks doable, but no information on the ...

Waiakeakua to Konahuanui (K2) – June 3, 2012 It was a long hike today. Not long as mileage wise, but long as in hours wise. The plan today was to hike up Waiakeakua ridge, summit, and meet up with Marvin and the big group he was guiding to Konahuanui.   It was only Steve and I making our way up Waiakeakua. We started one hour later than Marvin’s group because we felt that we would be faster to summit than his group. No matter how you time it, the hike always seems to take a little longer. Waiakeakua ridge was pioneered by two hikers with the initials BY and CY. I’ve hiked with BY already and it has been a pleasure knowing him. They spent ages trying to pave and clear that ridge; finally a few months ago they push through to the top and completed the Waiakeakua trail. The Waiakeakua trail starts on 7 bridges. Then you go through a forest and towards the back of Manoa easternmost valley. The trail abruptly ends and you have to rock hop. Today, the water wasn’t flowing; it has be...

  Mokuleia Trail – June 1, 2012 I set out to find Three Corners today, but failed. This now becomes a storied hike. This hike isn’t too difficult, but with the exposure to the sun, it becomes taxing and physically draining.            I woke up early, dropped the kids off at school, and drove towards the Mokuleia Access Road and parked my car. The gate is locked which means walking on the 4 mile long road. There are no big trees with long branches and wide leaves hanging over the road which means exposure to the sun. Being summertime in Hawaii, it was very hot. The initial walk on the road is level and easy, but the road will incline. I passed a few more gates, one was locked and one wasn’t. Somewhere after the second mile, I met Daniel and his friend Lisa. They started out before me and were now heading back. They walked near three miles on the road, but didn’t make it to the Peacock Flats Campsite. We talked about various topics, ...