Pupukea-Laie was not the same this time

 Pupukea-Laie II - January 5, 2015

This hike was meant for the OAG's to experience the Northern section of the KST. Many of the OAG's haven't hiked in the northern section of the KST. All of them have done Poamoho, Pupukea, Laie, but the Northern KST is a whole nother story. To do this section takes an internal love for hiking that not too many people can find within themselves. It is also confusing as hell and no matter how much times you do it, getting lost is always a possibility. 

Today we planned on a 10 hour hike, it turned out much longer than that. Joining the hike was all OAG's today ~ Erik, Aprille, Darren, & Sarah. I knew Erik & Aprille would find this hike rewarding as they requested it. I thought Darren & Sarah would enjoy the company of the rest, but I knew they were just tagging along for the ride.

I love the northern sections of the KST. Not only is it very historical and goes back to pre-World War I history, it provides a great challenge for hikers in the community. To say I could navigate my way without a track would be fallcious, but to complete it would be very rewarding to me. 

I knew this hike would be brutal because of past experience. I wasn't sure how the OAG's would handle it. I only knew Erik would like a hike like this. Staging of the cars is a bitch. We had to drive to Laie, and then drive all the way around to Pupukea to stage. 

We started on time though, 7:30am. Getting to Pupukea Summit was fast, just over 2 hours. And then, the overgrowth started. The strawberry guava and uluhe were in full force swallowing up portions of the trail. The mud was also in full force covering our shoes. I guess I was the only one in the group who knew what we were getting into. Haha. I could hear everyone's complaints and thought, they finally know what the north is like. I still think it takes a true hiker to appreciate the north KST. It is an acquired taste and really it is true outdoor hiking. In Hawaii there's a false perception of outdoor hiking. The ridges are so short that you can do a hike and come out and have half a day left to do urban stuff. I think true Hawaii outdoor hiking is spending time in the remote mountains all day and enjoying the elements which is what the north provides. 

Halapepe tree

I remember one time we lost the trail for about 10 minutes. Aprille spotted some ribbons to regain the trail. After some reflection, we took a wrong turn and ended up on a hunter's trail leading to nowhere. That was one of my concerns going into it. I was worried we would lose the trail from time to time, and knew this would be on top of difficult terrain. 

Hour after hour we pushed through. I can hear Darren and Sarah swearing and having a hard time. There's really nothing I could do. Couldn't bailout, no ridge to bailout. Had to stay the course. I learned that staying the course is what hiking is all about and life in general. Staying the course will keep you on track in life. No matter how hard things get, staying the course and keeping a positive attitude is what gets you through life. 

After about 5 hours, we were still on the KST. I think we took a break about 2 1/2 hours into the crossover. I was surprise at Aprille's attitude, she actually liked it. Her knee was acting up, but she liked the difficult crossover. Me and Erik were in front and joked around a lot in the front. We didn't want to deal with Darren and Sarah in the back complaining like the world was ending. The views started to open up as we proceeded to Malaekahana. 

nasty pig wallow

The rest of the way to Malaekahana was very overgrown, probably because the amount of rain we experienced the past couple of days. I guess the plants grow fast. We got to the Malaekahana Summit at 3pm. I was surprised it took us so long. The crossover from Malaekahana to Laie was again surprisingly long. It took us over an hour. I know Sarah felt like crying already. Aprille's knee was sore but getting better and she got stronger as the hike went on indicating she can handle these types of hikes. Darren was avoiding the mud. Erik and I were still joking. We commented that we should skip Laie and go to Koloa Cabin and tell the group that we missed the junction and would have to spend the night. I laughed at that notion, but was seriously thinking about it. I had a strong spirit to continue on the KST. I think this strong spirit will continue to resignate in me until I do the entire Pupukea-Kipapa KST.

middle of nowhere

We hit Laie at 4pm and took a break at the foxhole. I was like shit, we getting out really late, and texted Michelle that I was going to be home late. The walk down Laie was fun and easy for me. But Sarah was really exhausted. We put our headlamps on and continued on. The walk down Laie was long and took us over 3 hours. Daniel was waiting for us at Laie park. 

Aprille sitting in foxhole

pouty Sarah

We finished the hike at 8pm. Daniel was waiting for us with Papa Ole's, we are so lucky to get Papa Ole's after a hike. Daniel is great. I got the mini roast pork. It went down in a heatbeat but I got flak because I ordered a mini. Darren and Sarah was still sour grapes. Erik took the drive all the way back to Pupukea as we enjoyed some funny converstation about how old Darren was and the wise cracks that followed by Aprille & Sarah. My car was still at the trailhead, yay. 

I think this hike was good for the OAG's. It provides an experience that was uncomfortable. Like Sarah put it, the mountains can be a humbling experience. Pupukea-Laie provides that, a hike that gives you another perspective, it builds character, it builds resolve. I always joked to the OAG's that we ain't do nothing yet, wait till we create our own routes and hike trails that haven't been explored or are in disuse, that is when it will start getting fun.