Hiking Trails on Oahu

Pu’u O Kapolei – June 1, 2013 During ancient times when demi-god Kamapua’a controlled Oahu, Pu’u O Kapolei was considered the most sacred pu’u on Oahu, but not today. Why? The mythological story not only fascinates, but also draws sadness. Sadness in the fact that today’s Pu’u O Kapolei is not like yesterday’s Pu’u O Kapolei, not even close. Kamapua’a is associated with the god Lono (god of fertility or agriculture). He is known as the pig god, born on the windward side of Oahu in the Hau’ula-Punalu’u area where he was raised with his family (mom Hina, step-dad Olopana, grandmother Kamaunuaniho, older brother Kekeleaiku) .  He is best known for his tumultuous romantic relationship with fire goddess Madam Pele. The story starts off with Olopana, chief of Oahu at the time. He was the step-father of Kamapua’a. Apparently, he did not like Kamapua’a. One reason was that he was old and married to a younger woman named Hina. Hina would fool around with another man which pissed Olopan...

Koloa Gulch – May 28, 2013   I’ve wanted to do this hike for so long. But after today, it becomes a storied hike. Oahu was on a flash flood advisory early this morning, but the weather services canceled it at 7:15am. Great right! Not really.   I woke up at my normal time and drove to Laie at about 6:15am. I figured that getting to H3 would mean traffic, so I went the Wahiawa way. Good thing I did as there was an accident on H3. The drive towards the North Shore was long. Note to self (again), the drive to North Shore appears to be longer. It took over 1 hour to get to Laie. The meeting place as always for Kaipapa’u and Koloa hikes was at Kokololio Beach Park. We all said our hellos, meeting up for the hike today were OAG members Erik, Daniel, me, Aprille (who just got in from Seattle the previous night). Darren’s friend Kristy, Sarah, and John.     From the beach park, we headed north on Kamehameha and made a left on a dirt road through some farmlands....

Manoa Middle – May 27, 2013   This hike was a reunion of sorts. About half a year ago, Ikaika moved to L.A. to start his new life. But before that, he beasted Oahu trails. If you remember Ikaika, Marvin, Steve, Aida, Christian, Ted, and I once made up the group 7D. We would travel to the most remote parts of the island via hiking and take a picture at the summit or waterfall. Although Marvin was our constant, Ikaika was our glue. After Ikaika left, the group went astray.   Ikaika was here for a wedding and wanted to have a reunion of sorts. He chose to hike the now well traveled Manoa Middle, a route that loops around the southern part of the valley. Joining him today were; Steve, me, Aida, and her boss Michelle.   We all met on Alani drive at 7:15 am. From there we would go onto Pu’u Pia, and then descended on a point on the trail to Waiakeakua stream. There we would hit the middle ridge and make a steep ascent to the summit. We talked many stories, just like times past....

Maunawili Ditch – May 26, 2013   Today was an exploration hike. I wanted to do the Maunawili Ditch trail. I knew a few things; 1) it was near the Demonstration trail 2) it was nearly 3 miles long. What I didn’t know, 1) where did it lead to? 2) could I connect to another trail?   Joining me on the hike today was my son Jared. He is a really good hiker, but has been consumed with the gaming bug, and spends his time playing his Mindcraft game. To get him out of the house, I decided to force him to come along.   The goal was to go on the Ditch trail and see if I could connect to another trail to loop it. However, as we started hiking, I realize that wasn’t going to happen on this day. Jared wasn’t feeling it. I decided to tell him to hike 1.5 miles instead of the 3. My goal changed to just finding the ditch. There we were, in the middle of Waimanalo, trying to find a ditch. Birds were singing, motor bikes revving, dogs were barking, cars were driving, and trees were rustling...

Waikakalaua Tunnels – May 22, 2013   Erik and I tried this hike in November, but didn’t find the tunnels. We did however; find the trail that led to Paradise Pool, and a trail that led to the jeep road. Today, the goal was to find the tunnels.   Joining Erik and I were Sarah and Daniel, two young-uns. I met them at Mililani Mauka across the elementary school. Erik staged his car at the well traveled Higgins Road. At the side street in Mauka we started Waikakalaua. The hike down to the stream was quick, really quick, 10 minutes quick.   From there, we decided not to go to the pools; rather, we chose to cross the stream and head up the ridge to the jeep road. Instead of making a left at the jeep road this time, we made a right towards the tunnels. To our disappointment, the tunnel were blocked off by concrete slabs. Instead of getting frustrated, we decided to head towards the other end of the tunnel. After about 15 minutes, we encountered the second entrance, but were...

Rock Bridge – May 19, 2013 This attraction became popular within the past few months. The hiking community has promoted the rock bridge and so everyone has to do it, right!   To get there is not too easy. Initially, I thought it was an easy hike to do. But after today, it is apparent that it is more on the intermediate level and caution should also be warranted.   With my mom taking the kids to the zoo because of military appreciation day, Michelle and I went to check the rock bridge out for ourselves. But, we needed to finish the hike by at least 1:00pm because we had reservations at Adega, a Portuguese/Brazilian restaurant in the Chinatown District.   We took the long drive to Hanauma Bay, paid the $1 for parking and started hiking the ridge. It was very hot today, with hot wind blowing on the exposed ridge from time to time. A few months ago, I got a gps track from Will and Marvin. It helped out today as it guided us in the right direction.   After getting to a ce...

Moanalua Valley – May 18, 2013 Today was my fifth time in the valley (aka Kamananui) and I knew what I had to do today, find the Old Damon House and the Petroglyphs. Joining me was my family and Malia’s friend. It was a spur of the moment kind a hike. I just needed to get outdoors, since it’s been a while.   We started late, the trail was populated with hikers coming and going. This hike is popular for many reasons. But I like it for its lushes’ greenery that surrounds the carriage road. The trail is filled with many native and invasive plants.   There are 7 bridges we had to cross. These bridges were built over the stream so the carriage could avoid the stream. The kids chose to go below the bridges and through the running water. scared   After the 7 th  bridge, we saw the Pohaku, a large boulder covered with petroglyphs. I couldn’t identify many of the petroglyphs. But one looked like a human was holding a circular item. After analyzing all parts of the Pohaku, we ...

Papali/Castle-Laie – May 5, 2013 I was invited by DGC (David C.) to his last Ko’olau Summit hike. DGC has done nearly the entire Ko’olau Summit, in segments of course. And this, was his last hurrah. DGC tried this hike a few months ago, but lost the trail at the helipad at Kawailoa. He decided to backtrack and go to Pupukea, which was a good thing because he was able to complete that portion of the KST, which he needed.   The week before, I asked fellow hiking partner Marvin for the gps track of this hike. He did Papali Uka/Castle-Laie a while back. Marvin got lost too during that time, but found his way, an accomplishment that should be commended. Today’s hike consisted of some experienced hikers. We had Ted, Randy, Thomas, Jay, Yoshi, Chenay, DGC, Gerwin, Kenji, Francis, and me. We met at the Temple Valley McDonald’s at 4:30am. There, we all ate breakfast, then talked about the pre-hike plan. The plan was to stage cars at the Hau’ula 7-11 and Laie Community Park. It was early in ...

Birthing Stones of Kukaniloko – May 4, 2013   My family set off on this day to see the Birthing Stones of Kukaniloko and the goal was to appreciate the ancient historical site. Parking is limited, but the hike is only 5 minutes. After walking on the dirt road, you enter the entrance of Kukaniloko. The entrance is marked by 36 stones, 18 on the left, 18 on the right. These stones were put here by DLNR and represent all the chiefs who would witness the birth. However, there were more than 36 chiefs on Oahu, so not sure were they got the number.   This place is so sacred that only royalty was able to set foot on this ground in Ancient Oahu. The stones are located in the Wahiawa area at the intersection of Whitmore Ave. and Kamehameha Hwy.   After the entrance are all these stones. Some have indentions in them. Legend says that women didn’t give birth on the stones, rather they squatted and people who helped her where the ones who based their feet on the stones as she needed ...