Hiking Trails on Oahu

Pupukea to Laie – August 25, 2012   I was nervous about this hike, but knew we could complete it.   Recently a few crews have documented a trek from Pupukea to Laie. Chase, Cory, & crew did the hike in May and Kaleo and crew did the hike (to Malaekahana) in June of this year. Chase and crew did some trail markings and light clearing on their trek, making the going much easier for the rest of us.   This will also be 7D member Marvin’s final grinder hike to complete 96% of Ko’olau Summit (Pupukea to Makapuu), a feat well worth noting. After today, Marvin would just need to do the second leg of the Nuuanu Saddle (Notches to K1) and both sections of the Kalihi Saddle to complete the entire Ko’olau Summit.   Preparation for this hike was simple. Expect an overnighter. As the Ko’olau Summit rules go, any hike estimated to be over 8 hours will result in extra preparation. Preparation includes, a space blanket, tarp, bungi cords, flashlight, matches, extra clothes, two-w...

Nuuanu-Judd – August 19, 2012   About 11 years ago, Michelle and I tried Nuuanu-Judd from the Kalawahine trail or Pu'u Ohia trail. What ensued was an 11 hour ordeal. Our inexperience hurt us really bad. Everything that went wrong did. The result made us quit hiking all together.   Over the last 11 years, the events that unfolded on that day came in segments through thought and daydreaming over the years. I can’t remember the really specific details, but am able to recall some of the events. This is what I could remember.   In the summer of 2001, We started on Kalawahine and got to Pauoa Flats. From there we went onto the Nuuanu trail. We were hiking for a while now and weren’t use to long hikes. As we hiked on Nuuanu, there was a point near a clearing where Michelle wanted to turn around. But the hike back looked so far, that we decided to press on. We missed the critical switchback that would take us down Nuuanu, and ended up bushwhacking a trail on the ridge. Knowi...

Kaipapa’u Gulch – August 12, 2012 It was time to check off another hike of my checklist. Today I decided to join the HTMC on a hike which not too many people do. Talking with others in the hiking community only a small percentage of hikers had done Kaipapa’u Gulch.   Leading the hike today was Thea. She has a full resume of hiking and is a well respected member of the hiking community. I was also happy to see David and Nate and his cousins along with many other familiar faces.   Kaipapa’u starts on a private road, and then we entered the trail. The trail goes through a forest. The landscape looks manicured, however Thea pointed out that the water actually floods the area pushing away branches and debris. trailhead   Today the stream bed was dry as a bone. I was out of shape, not hiking for a while. One thing that helped was the minimal elevation change. After about 2 miles, we started going through the gulch. The trail went in and out. Kaipapa’u claims to be 8 miles, but ...