Hiking Trails on Oahu

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...

Pupukea to Laie – August 25, 2012   I was nervous about this hike, but knew we could complete it.   Recently a few crews have documented a trek from Pupukea to Laie. Chase, Cory, & crew did the hike in May and Kaleo and crew did the hike (to Malaekahana) in June of this year. Chase and crew did some trail markings and light clearing on their trek, making the going much easier for the rest of us.   This will also be 7D member Marvin’s final grinder hike to complete 96% of Ko’olau Summit (Pupukea to Makapuu), a feat well worth noting. After today, Marvin would just need to do the second leg of the Nuuanu Saddle (Notches to K1) and both sections of the Kalihi Saddle to complete the entire Ko’olau Summit.   Preparation for this hike was simple. Expect an overnighter. As the Ko’olau Summit rules go, any hike estimated to be over 8 hours will result in extra preparation. Preparation includes, a space blanket, tarp, bungi cords, flashlight, matches, extra clothes, two-w...

Waiau to Manana – May 26, 2012 This hike has been in the planning stages for about a month now, ever since Marvin and I's overnight stay on the Waimalu summit. For this hike, Marvin and I invited the entire 7D group and other hikers. Making the hike was Ted, Steve, Ikaika, Marvin, & I. We were only missing Aida and Christian from 7D. What was great was that the entire crew for today's hike was entirely made up of 7D members. I knew we would have a great time and we did. Marvin initially wanted to do Waimano to Manana, which is a classic route experienced hiker’s take. However, I proposed Waiau to Manana for 3 reasons. 1) Last time, we weren’t sure where the Waiau summit was, and it would be a good idea to find it. 2) The HTMC just cleared the trail a few weeks back which makes finding the trail and summiting easier. 3) Waiau hasn’t been cleared to the top ever, well until a few members of the HTMC clearing crew did it a few weeks back. Historically, Waiau had been unfinishe...

Bear Claw Right Fork – January 28, 2012 An unbelievable day of hiking! We climbed up Bear Claw’s Right Fork to the Ko'olau Summit, took a right on the Ko'olau Summit Trail (KST), passing Pu’u O Kona and Niu Valley Summit, before descending down Niu Valley Ridge to our cars. Total trek for this hike, 7 hours.    This hike is in the extreme category for one reason, its fricken dangerous! I called on Ted to help me conquer this trail. Ted has done this hike a few times and is one of the most experience hikers when it comes to difficult hikes on the island of Oahu. He knows how to handle the most challenging situations. I also invited Nate, for I felt that he was ready to handle an extreme hike. Others joining us on the hike today were Steve, Kyle, and LeMomi. For Steve, this was his 6 th  time doing Bear Claw. His experience, coupled with Ted’s would greatly benefit us today. Bear Claw can also be described as Pu'u O Kona Windward. By that I mean you gain the summit of the P...

Manoa Middle – January 14, 2012 I did this hike in my dreams. It’s a hike I’ve wanted to do for some time now. Only a few years ago, this hike was extremely difficult to do for two reasons 1) overgrown 2) no clear directions. Great work by an anonymous clearing crew and maintenance by the HTMC make this hike a reality. I joined the hiking group Oahu Weekend Hikers & Adventures today as they were going to do the Manoa Middle Loop. This loop consist of taking you onto Pu’u Pia, then descending down the valley to where Waiakeakua stream flows. We would then make a left at a junction to gain Manoa’s Middle Ridge before making the steep ascent to its summit. From the summit, we would turn right on the KST towards the Mount Olympus trail. Finally we would go down the Olympus trail before making a right onto Kolowalu and back onto Pu’u Pia.           Leading the hike today was Udom and Laredo. Both are HTMC hikers and help out with this group. T...

  Malaekahana to Laie – October 29, 2011 This was on my to do list for a little while now. By completing this loop, it will cross off two hikes on my checklist. This hike was planned a few weeks ago. I met Nate on the Heleakala hike with the HTMC. While coming down from Heleakala, we talked about doing this hike. Nate, who got into hiking a few months ago wanted to pad his hiking resume. I called Nate early in the week to give him the plan. We were to meet at Haleiwa Beach Park at 6:30 am and start Malaekahana ridge at 7 am. We would hike Malaekahana ridge, then at the junction go down the mountain to Malaekahana falls, then go back up and continue Malaekahana ridge till its summit, then cross the KST (Koolau Summit Trail) until we hit Laie’s summit, then go down Laie to my car. Though this was the first time we would both do this hike, I wasn’t worried. If you don’t pay attention to the jargon above, then it breaks down to ridge -> valley -> ridge -> ridge -> ridge. Th...