Hiking Trails on Oahu

Kipapa to Schofield-Waikane – June 14,15 2013 First of all, the initial plan was to get to Papali-Uka, but that didn’t happen. It is apparent that this route was for the grinders. Knowing what we know now, starting from Manana and getting to Papali would have been a three day thing or a two full day excursion. What we experienced was two 10+ hour hiking days and it was a hard 10+ hours for both days.  The plan today was to start on Manana drop into the valley towards Iliahi ridge, then drop into the valley towards Waiawa, and drop into the valley again towards Kipapa. From Kipapa, we would make the long hike up to the Ko’olau Summit, then to Waiahole Uka, crossover to Waikane, and then all the way to the Poamoho Cabin where we would set up camp. In the morning, we would make the long transverse to Papali Uka. The plan seemed ambitious, it was. But with ambition comes character building and gained experience which makes us into better hikers. To be a good hiker, you have to push the...

  Kipapa to Schofield-Waikane – June 14,15 2013 First of all, the initial plan was to get to Papali-Uka, but that didn’t happen. It is apparent that this route was for the grinders. Knowing what we know now, starting from Manana and getting to Papali would have been a three day thing or a two full day excursion. What we experienced was two 10+ hour hiking days and it was a hard 10+ hours for both days.  The plan today was to start on Manana drop into the valley towards Iliahi ridge, then drop into the valley towards Waiawa, and drop into the valley again towards Kipapa. From Kipapa, we would make the long hike up to the Ko’olau Summit, then to Waiahole Uka, crossover to Waikane, and then all the way to the Poamoho Cabin where we would set up camp. In the morning, we would make the long traverse to Papali Uka. The plan seemed ambitious, it was. But with ambition comes character building and gained experience which makes us into better hikers. To be a good hiker, you have to pus...

Waiahole Uka-Manana – March 16, 2013 Last time I was here, two words described the hike: unfinished & lost. The unfinished part was because the crew crossed over and went all the way to Manana, while I did an in and out. The lost part was that we were lost for 3 hours trying to find damn Waiahole Uka ridge. In addition, the crew was socked in all the way to Manana creating disorientation. That was a while back. A few weeks ago, I received a msg from Ted inviting me to Waiahole Uka-Manana again. I jumped at the opportunity. However, the list of hikers that will be attending was very intimidating. The list was Ted, Ly Zel, Steve, Robin, Heather, Laredo, & Marvin. Not only can these people hike fast, they can sustain the pace for a long period of time, which got me worried. I didn’t want to hold up the group. I knew I could do this hike, but question is, would my body hold up at a blistering pace throughout? The plan today was to start off on Kuolani-Waianu counter loop, then find...

Waiahole Uka – June 9, 2012 I’ve been waiting for a chance to summit Kipapa, today was my opportunity. The Kipapa trail was built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was last hiked in 2003 by the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club (HTMC). Now days the U.S. Fish and Wildlife (FWS) oversees part of the land the Kipapa trail is on and only grants access for conservation efforts. The lower and upper parts are passable, but the middle section of the trail maybe overgrown. To summit Kipapa, hikers have to find alternate routes. One route is up a windward ridge in Waiahole, referenced as Waiahole Uka. There are many ridges coming down in the Waiahole area, at least 6, maybe more. However, only 3 appear doable. The route on the north end looks the most doable, but there is a notch near the top and HTMC trailblazer Dayle Turner couldn’t figure the problem out and deemed it undoable. There is another ridge on the south end that looks doable, but no information on the ...