Hiking Trails on Oahu

Waikakalaua Stream – November 23, 2012 We didn’t find the tunnels today, but that’s okay. A few months back, I scouted possible access points to get down towards Waikakalaua Stream. Today, along with Erik, we would find what we were looking for. Erik has lived in Wahiawa his whole life and I have lived in Mililani most of my life. This hike, albeit an exploration hike would make a lot of sense. Waikakalaua stream separates Wahiawa from Mililani. The hike is described in Stuart Ball’s original book, though I don’t have that book, it wouldn’t matter today as we were going to explore a different route.        Our goal was to find the pool and tunnels. We would allot ourselves 2 hours in and 2 hours out, for a total of 4 hours. Erik and I met at the Park & Ride, and immediately we drove up the road. We took a left on the road across Mililani Ike and followed it till its end. After getting out of our vehicles, we immediately tried to find a trail going ...

Kea’au Middle-Ohikilolo Rectangle – November 11, 2012 This hike was the flavor of the month sometime last year. I’ve been invited many times, but wasn’t able to make it. During March of this year, the HTMC did Kea’au Middle Ridge. At the top of Kea’au, Patrick R. (OHE) member ask if the group wanted to join him to Ohikilolo. That would have been awesome hiking with him. But I declined because I had to get to a party. All this time has passed, and I never did the rectangle known as Kea'au-Ohikilolo. Over the year, my skills have gotten a little better and I have much more experience. Today would be the day. Last week, I asked a bunch of my hiking friends if they wanted to join me, but in the end I would go solo, which was find with me. My plan was to hike with the HTMC up Kea'au Ridge, then break away from the group and heads towards Ohikilolo, hit the cabin, and follow the fenceline down Ohikilolo Ridge. I just needed to let people know the situation. I let Ralph, the HTMC coor...

Kamehame to Tom Tom – November 10, 2012 Since I’m so close to finishing up the section known as K1 to Makapu’u, I figured today would be a step in the right direction. I woke up super early 4am, took my time getting ready, went to Starbucks at Koko Marina, then drove to Kamehame Road. I started hiking at 5:40 am. I forgot my headlamp, which meant hiking in the pitch dark. I drank my coffee while going up Kamehame Ridge, and then put the empty cup in my bag. It took me only 35 minutes to summit. I got to the cell phone tower. This is where Michelle and I got confused about 1 ½ years ago when we tried Makapu’u-Tom Tom, so we bailed down Kamehame. For near 1 ½ years, I talked with hikers in the community, compared notes, and I created a plan. The secret to this section is: find the windward side. When walking on Makapu’u Ridge, you see the windward side to the right, but when you get to the cell phone tower, it appears a dead end. The key is to find the windward side again. To do this, th...

Kamiloiki – November 9, 2012 The Kahala-Hawaii Kai area is home to many of Oahu’s best intermediate hikes. Over the last three years, I went time and time again to this area to hike. Today, I would finish every hike I knew of in the Kahala-Hawaii Kai area. So far I have done the Na Ala Hele maintained hikes in the area which include, Hawaii Loa, Wiliwilinui, & Kuliouou. I have also done Kulepeamoa, Mariner’s Ridge, Wailupe, Kuliouou West, Mauna O Ahi, Hahaione, Kamehame Drive, also Koko head, & Koko Crater. (Only hike's I haven't done yet in the Kahala-Hawaii Kai area are Waialae Nui & Iki, access to these hikes maybe difficult.) My last hike is Kamiloiki. This hike is to the left of Kamehame Ridge and its Windward counterpart is Kaupo 2/Tom Tom. Initially, I wanted to do Kamehame to Tom Tom because I haven’t done that section yet. But with Michelle joining me today, that hike would have been too difficult. Kamiloiki is a short 5 mile round trip hike on a mostly exp...

  Halapepe Nui – November 4, 2012 P.C. Daniel I knew Halapepe Nui cut through some valleys. I knew there would be no summit or waterfall. Nevertheless, it was a hike that I wanted to do. One reason is the connection of valleys. Initially, I thought the trail would connect Waiau and Waimano. Although this trail can connect the two valleys, the HTMC Halapepe Nui route does not connect the two. Halapepe Nui, the trail itself is named after the one or two Halapepe trees on the trail. However, the trees are not noticeable, and most of the hiker’s missed it on the route, including me. Other than the Halapepe trees, this trail has nothing to offer other than a look into Waiau Valley. Halapepe Nui trail I woke up early in the morning and drove to Hapaki St. According to the internet there are 3 variations of the hike (Hapaki, Ka'ahumanu, & Royal Summit). Near the trailhead, I met all the up and comers and the regulars of the HTMC; Daniel, David, Erik, Aprille, Alaina, Bob, & Calvin...