Hiking Trails on Oahu

  Kahana Valley Hike a.k.a. Nakoa Trail - July 31, 2011 Summer is over. This will be considered my last hike of the summer, a summer filled with the best hiking of my life. On the HTMC schedule today was Kahana Valley. This hike is considered a favorite hike by many hiking enthusiast because of its variety of plants, interaction with the stream, musical forest, and its pleasant non-strenuous double loop. Even Stuart Ball mentions in his book that, "...the stream loop is perhaps the most beautiful valley walk on the island...There are few things better in life than spending a sunny afternoon by Kahana Stream" (Ball, p.214). So, I was off to Kahana Valley to see it for myself. First, I met some HTMC members at Iolani Palace. I was curious to see where the meeting spot was for most of the hikes. But most hikers just meet at the trailhead. After a short meeting in back of Iolani Palace, we convoyed to Kahana Valley State Park. There were at least 50 hikers waiting in the parking ...

  Kainawa'aunui via Mau'umae Trail - June 15, 2011   Today I was suppose to get to the Lanipo summit, but misunderstood where Lanipo was actually located. The Mau'umae trail is as intermediate as it gets. Its also listed in Stuart Ball's book as an intermediate trail. This trail can get physically taxing to a novice hiker I had an early 8:30 am start. I was on my way to the Kaimuki area and up Wilhelmina Rise. This road goes straight up the hill. When you get onto Maunalani Circle, park on the side of the road. The people there are pretty cool, as long as you don't do anything stupid.  The start of the trail is along a fence. When you get to the top of the hill, the ridge opens up. There is some rock scrambling which was great, not too dangerous. There are beautiful views of Diamond Head, Honolulu, Palolo Valley, and Waialae Nui Valley.  After walking on the open ridge, the trail starts to enter a forest  Wear pants going on this hike. I wore shorts....