Hiking Trails on Oahu

Camp Smith Trail (Halawa Heights) - June 28, 2015 Aprille invited the OAG's to the Camp Smith-Halawa Trail. Both Erik & Aprille said they've done it before and said it wouldn't take too long. I didn't know what to expect and I had Jared's game at 2:30pm, so I couldn't be out hiking all day and my plan was to bail if the hike was taking too long.   We met at the end of Palaialii Place at 9:30am. Joining the hike today was an all OAG crew ~ Erik, Darren, Aprille, DJ, and Bernice. We started hiking for about 5 minutes and hit a junction which took us to another trail. Darren said, we on Aiea Loop. After further inspection he was right. We were on the Aiea Loop trail. Erik thought it was anti-climatic as he thought it was a continuation of the Camp Smith trail. After some reflection, I can see why people who hike Aiea Loop mistakenly get to Camp Smith by accident.  Group photo at Palaialii Place  (P.C. DJ) There is a money view of H3 on the Camp Smith trail from...

  Maunawili Ditch II - June 18, 2015 I wanted to do Tripler to the Stairway to Heaven, however it looked socked in this morning, so I decided to do another hike that I wanted to finish ~ The Maunawili Ditch. I haven't completed this hike before, although I did try with Jared a few years back. Its not a trail that is sexy or anything, but more of a checklist type hike. Its also #16 on the Na Ala Hele trail system, a trail system in which I wanted to complete.  trailhead After realizing that I wouldn't do Tripler today, I got Jared ready and dropped him off at Crestview Summer Fun. From there, I filled up gas at Costcos and headed towards Waimanalo. Although I think parking my car in Waimanalo is safe, it still feels sketchy. I also have the feeling that I would discover the remains of a dead person in the area.  I started at 9:15am, and quickly made my way through the meandering trail. I went at a good pace. I was sick the previous week and this is a perfect hike to get ba...

Nanakuli Cave - June 9, 2015 The plan today was to do Ohikilolo to the cabin. But as we were hiking, Erik had some major tightness in his chest. I played it by ear as maybe it would go away. But 2 1/2 hours into the hike, it got worst, so we decided to bail on Ohikilolo and save it for another time.  Aprille said we could visit the Nanakuli Cave because it was nearby. I decided to take the group to the the  Ku'ilioloa Heiau   (I couldn't remember the name at the time) f irst. The heiau is adjacent to Pokai Bay and was used in ancient times to teach navigational skills. After a short stay at the heiau, I drove us to Laumania Ave. near a beach in Nanakuli where Aprille said the cave was. There were a lot of people at the unnamed beach. I parked near the parking lot on a road and Aprille lead us to some rocks near the shore. There was an opening in the rocks and Aprille jumped inside. She said the tide was high today, but when its low, you can walk into the cave. We didn't h...

  Alewa-Kamanaiki - June 7, 2015 This hike was on the radar for years already, but was left undone, not even tried. Last person who tried and succeeded was probably Dave in 2011. Kamanaiki is a weird hike, not only does it start by going up a staircase, but it ends on a hill, not a summit. Pass the hill is actually more ridge eventually hitting the Alewa Trail, but its overgrown with guava & uluhe. Kamanaiki intersects the Alewa trail at only 2/3 the way up to Lanihuli, resulting in probably another 1 - 1 1/2 hours of hiking just to summit Lanihuli. Being that Mo'ole is the most sexiest way up to Lanihuli, people tend to do that trail instead.  Last time in 2011, I did Kamanaiki solo and didn't think I got to the hill marked by the big Ohia tree. This left me with a feeling of emptiness. I wanted to do Kamanaiki again, but decided to wait and do the entire trail, it was pretty much a carbon copy of Dave's route in 2011.  Today was the day. I invited Kenji, Khym, and M...