An Encounter that Last a Lifetime

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Naohia Falls – October 3, 2012

The name of this hike is the “Kalihi Ice Ponds”, but the Hawaiian name is Naohia falls. This falls has been popular with local residents, most likely Kalihi residents. Recent post on the internet has made this secluded spot the new “hidden place to be”. I guess why not? It’s a beautiful swimming hole with cascading waterfalls, and that, is what we imagine Oahu to be right? The big problem is the trash. The trail is littered with trash, which is sad. Many hikers in the community try to pick up as much trash as they can, but since the hike is so popular, trash is inevitable.

Getting to the trail is simple as pie. Kalihi Street, park legally (don’t block mailboxes, driveways, etc), past the fence, and take the paved road till the junction. From the junction, go down the hill to the beautiful swimming hole.

On this day, I met Daniel, Erik, & Jay at Kam. Shopping Center, which in hindsight was a great meeting place. Erik drove us in his truck and parked before the bridge and we took the 20 minute walk on the paved road. When we hit the junction, I was surprised to see it roped up so well. This wasn’t’ here last year (when Michelle and I went). Going down was slippery, but very doable. When we got to the bottom, we saw a group of 7 young adolescents swimming. Yuck! That water does not look swimmable. It hasn’t been raining the past few days, which makes my opinion even more valid.

We decided to climb up the waterfall to reach the second and third falls. The climb to my surprise was very slippery. I put on my microspikes as a precaution. The technique was basic. If you have some experience climbing, it shouldn’t be too difficult. The young kids followed suite and climbed to the top after us. Monkey see, monkey do.


more waterfalls

upper portions

I snapped some pictures of the second and third waterfall. As we made our way down, the kids went down one by one. We watched them making sure they were okay. After that, we left and headed back towards Kam. Shopping Center to eat Tasty’s. Damn, Korean food is so damn good!

*If you read the entire blog until the end, this hike is a momentous occasion. 

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