Hiking Trails on Oahu

Pu'u Ma'eli'eli (David's Birthday Hike) - July 15, 2017 Today was David's 71st birthday. For his hike we did something easy or what we thought was easy. We took a scenic route that skirted the base of Ma'eli'eli. I've never taken this route before so it was going to be interesting.  We met a Koolau Shopping Center at 8:30am and walked on Kahekili Highway. We hiked up Ma'eli'eli ridge, but made a right at a junction which took us down to the marsh. Strawberry guava was in peak season and I took advantage of the harvest.  At the bottom, we encountered this cool looking dirt road. David said lots of crews film movies here. We sang happy birthday to David. Jana made a peanut butter and brownie to celebrate.   As we continued on, we took a wrong turn and ended up on Ma'eli'eli ridge. We topped out at the world class view. But since it was so hot, we decided to hang out under the shade for most of the time we were up there.  Going back was like...

  Waipo'o Falls Hike - October 10, 2016 This was on the to do list. I asked Baron about this hike, he said that I couldn't get to the base of the waterfall. He was right. But this hike does take you to a small waterfall at the top of Waipo'o Falls. There is a Canyon Lookout where you can see Waipo'o Falls. The waterfall is said to be 800 feet. The hike starts on the Westside of the Canyon rim and traverses to the Eastside to the waterfall. It looks dangerous, but its not.  Driving to the trail head is an adventure especially coming from Wailua. It took us almost 2 hours to get to the trailhead. It takes an hour to get to Waimea and then another hour to get to the Pu'u Hina'aina lookout. The Waimea Canyon trail starts to the left of the parking lot.  view from a scenic point I was worried that the kids couldn't handle. It said moderate hike, so I knew it was going to be a walk in the park for them.  A handful of people were starting right in front of us. We h...

Ahuimanu Waterfalls - August 6, 2016 We did this hike a few months ago yielding poor results, no waterfall just the chute. Today, Erik had a feeling that the chutes would be flowing. We were hiking tomorrow, however Erik wanted to hike today. I got a last minute text and asked Michelle if she wanted to go. After a short discussion it was a go. On the way there, I had a feeling that I forgot my shoes. It was too late to go back as we were near the H3 on ramp. I said, "fuck it, I can do this hike in slippers". We met at Koolau McDonalds at 10:00 and drove to the trailhead. Hiking in slippers wasn't too bad, I had some grip. Michelle can hike with us now because she is eating healthy and exercising regularly.  We got to the wall in less than 40 minutes. To my surprise it was flowing heavy today. We took silk using Erik's ND filter. After a short break and a lot of mosquito repellent, we headed to the 2nd waterfall. Immediately, we could hear the flow, it sounded strong. ...

Kaipapau Bunkers - July 15, 2016 Today was Lahaina Noon, when at 12:37pm this year on July 15th a person or thing standing straight up will not cast a shadow. The science behind it is unknown to me, however it is a cool phenomenon, a phenomenon which only happens twice a year on each Hawaiian Island.  Today was also David's birthday where he turns 70 years old. He can still hike with the best of them.  Jared and I met at Daniel's house where David and Daniel were waiting. Can you believe it took over 1 hour to get to Hau'ula from Mililani. We hopped in David truck and drove one minute down a road to the Kaipapau trailhead. I've never done this hike before, so it was a treat for me.  After the Board of Water Supply road, we got on the trail and only hiked for about 5 minutes before hitting a junction which led us up the ridge. It was very hot today. We went in and out of gulches and up and down some peaks for about 45 minutes until we hit the first bunker. Trees obscured...

  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...

  Kahuku Shoreline (James Campbell Wildlife Refuge) - October 12, 2014 There are some scenic walks on Oahu shorelines and this one is up at the top along with Lanikai. I haven't walked too much on the beach. I prefer not to. However, this hike has a lot to offer. Last year I did Kawela Bay, a  not so secret, secret bay left of Turtle Bay. This hike is to the right of Turtle Bay, highlighted by the James Campbell Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is home to a family of Nene Goose, the only Nene on the island of Oahu.  Today we hoped to find the Nene. Daniel put together this hike because Sarah was coming back from the mainland for one week and said she can only hike on a Sunday. We spent the week trying to get all OAG's to come, but in the end, Sarah bailed so we just had fun without her. We were also projected to have our Post Hike Meal at Tita's Grill where I was going to pound The Pounder ~ a massive burger almost a foot tall in height, 6 pieces of bacon, 4 cheeses, choke sau...

Lyon Arboretum - September 27, 2014 It was good to see Christian Y. today. He is battling stage 4 throat cancer. Its a rare form and I don't know the scientific name for it. It's been hard trying to schedule something with him because I've been working throughout the week and can only go on some weekends. After some messaging, we agreed on a date. The hard part was trying to find something to do. Christian had surgery a few months back to remove 25% of his lung. He does have some problems breathing. His lungs will have to adapt, but it will take some time.  Because Christian is walking about 1 hour per day, he is able to do basic hikes, which is an amazing feat considering what he is going through. I picked up Erik and Aprille who wanted to tag along. Since we have been running together so frequently now, it is easier to plan things. We met Christian at Safeway Kinau at 9am. From there I drove us to Manoa and the Lyon Arboretum. This place is run by volunteers and students ...

Kawela Bay - January 2, 2014 First hike of the New Year got me doing a shoreline hike. Daniel did this hike multiple times and invited me on this day to do something I’ve always wanted to do, a shoreline hike. I don’t remember doing a shoreline hike before. I think the closest I’ve done is the Rock Bridge. Today was a real shoreline hike in the Kahuku area at Turtle Bay. I picked Daniel up at his house and drove to the Turtle Bay parking lot, we took a path that led us to the beach just left of the hotel. I wanted to take some nice pictures, but was struggling to get things going. Things weren’t going right today. Its a beautiful area! It also provides a different type of hiking experience. Walking on the sand and rocks, listening to the waves. No wonder a lot of relaxation music has sounds of the waves, running water, and singing birds. The human race has been conditioned to relax under those sounds. After about 40 minute leisurely walking, we arrived at a pillbox and took a break adm...

  Wailele Falls – March 24, 2013 Marvin and I planned a hike today. We wanted to do Hobbs-Ka’ala, but with rain, we decided to do Koloa Gulch. Then I drove, it started pouring really bad, so we decided to do Wailele Falls. Neither Marvin nor I have done Wailele Falls. I knew we needed a Hawaii Reserves Permit. I have mine, but it expired in 2011. Since Marvin and I weren’t prepared for this hike because it was a last minute adjustment, I looked on my iPhone for directions. On Everytrail, there was a map so Marvin and I looked at the map and figured it out. We parked near the Polynesian Culture Center and took a road that led to some farmland. The place was a no doubt farming area, in a minute I expected some dogs to come out running at us. But no dogs came after us, it was too wet today. We neared a house, Marvin and I tried to find a side trail though the forest, we did, but the side trail led to the house, some inconspicuous hikers we are. The dirt road led into the forest. ...

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 be...