Hau’ula Loop Trail

July 6, 2010 on 3:55 pm | In Hiking | No Comments

This hike has been on my list to try for a long time, and I’m glad we got to enjoy it today with our friends. It’s a great hike for families - 2.5 miles roundtrip (it’s a lollipop route) with 0.1 to the trail head (thus adding 0.2 to the “official” distance). The hike gains about 600 ft in elevation if you do the route in a clockwise fashion (recommended) and some good views along the way. We had five kids, ages 26 months through 7 years. Even the youngest did nearly all of the hike, so it is well within reach for even the newbie hiker.

Treachery: Very little. Use good sense about reminding kids to stay away from edges with steep drop-offs to the side.
Sun exposure: 95% shady!
Lunch spot: The second ridge viewpoint is just short of haflway if your hikers are looking for a snack break. We opted for hanging out in the dense Cook Pine forest at 1.4 miles into the hike.
Exertion: Decent - 600′ of elevation and 2.7 miles of walking will take most young hikers at least 2-2.5 hours.

Trailhead: Drive up the windward coast to mile marker 23, then start looking carefully for Hau’ula Beach park on your right. As soon as you see the beach park, get ready to go left onto Maakua Rd. Drive to the end and park on the right by the gate (note parking is very limited so beach park might be a good backup plan). Walk up spur road 0.1 mi to trailhead on right.

King’s Chair

June 8, 2010 on 3:15 pm | In Hiking, trip report | No Comments

The boys and I set out to hike a random ridge in Kailua this morning as our usual hiking buddies were at swim lessons. So it was a good morning to venture off on some pig trails to who-knew-where without dragging our friends along. Sam found some great vines to use for rappelling down a 10 ft “cliff” (steep dirt escarpment) “…just like Uncle Tom on El Capitan!” After exploring several very nice pig trails for a while we went back to the truck for snacks and figured we’d just finish our errands. But lo, Mommy spotted some young boys on mountain bikes and knew for sure if anyone knew about other trails we could try they would. So we stopped and sure enough, one of them said “Oh yeah!” and continued to describe the trailhead. Then he just offered to show us, and away we went, without grabbing our water or gear thinking we’d just see where the trailhead was. But like all good hikers, once these boys set foot on the steep lava rock “stairs” which marked the trailhead, their legs just carried them right up with an eager “You wanna go??” How could we refuse? Sam was very happy to follow along these 10 and 11 yr old boys, one of whom will be in 6th grade in Sam’s school! The other guide, Kupono (which means “doing good things”) was so helpful to Ben and me several times on this tricky trail. It was very slippery due to loose, dry dirt and it was essentially 300′ straight up to the rock lookout area. But we were happy to gain the ridgeline in a new place than we’d previously explored and our guides’ expertise was unparalleled. (Due to the tricky terrain, I am not posting the trailhead location because it’s really not suitable for the demographic of my readership nor is the trailhead easily gained without bothering neighbors.)
Upon our return, I realized that I knew Kupono’s mom! How fun to see her and thank her personally for such a great guide. And Nathan’s mom rocked by providing ice pops for EVERYONE! Nathan graciously brought out a huge selection and allowed my boys to choose theirs first. We had a fabulous time exploring a new trail, making new friends and even learning more about jumping a mountain bike (my birthday wish for this year ). Thanks guys! Hope to see you on a trail again soon!

Birthday hike up Pu’u Pia

January 27, 2010 on 7:56 am | In Hiking | No Comments

Another great day on Pu’u Pia! We were joined by my mom and another friend new to this trail. Great time had by all!

Pauoa Flats

January 27, 2010 on 7:53 am | In Hiking | No Comments

We hiked Pu’u Ohia to Pauoa Flats last week. Had a great time except for ending up on the Nuuanu Overlook trail and heading away from the Pauoa Flats loop thanks to some confusing signage. If you do this trail, you will do Pu’u Ohia to brief left on Manoa Cliffs trail (note: you’ll see a fence cordoning off a section of forest where native plants are being reintroduced, go through the gate - they are trying to keep pigs out, not hikers), then at junction with Pauoa Flats trail take a hard left to do the route clockwise. Note that the sign will say you are still on Manoa Cliffs trail briefly. When you hit Kalawahine junction, you will then bear right to stay on Pauoa Flats trail. Continue to bear right around the loop and you should end back at the Manoa Cliffs trail for another brief stint until it hits Pu’u Ohia again. (I had a map, compass, GPS and good sense and still managed to get confused by the signage, so please take a map and compass with you always.) As always, Sam was a trooper and we had a great time despite this learning experience. When back at the confusing junction and studying the sign, Sam said to mom: “Mom, that’s what I told you, go left on this trail right here!” (pointing to the correct trail). The onlookers smiled in amusement.

Ka’a'awa Valley hike

October 12, 2009 on 4:02 pm | In Hiking, trip report | No Comments

Today we hiked into the Ka’a'awa Valley, location for many movies and TV shows. The area just across from the ranch was also used as an airstrip during WWII and a huge bunker was built into the side of the mountains. The 15 kids and 12 grown-ups did a 5K hike to the bunker, an authentic recreation of a native Hawaiian village, learned about edible fruits, and checked out the movie locations. We had a great time and only had a few sprinkles despite heavy rain on the other side of the mountain. Thanks for coming everyone - it was a lot of fun to see you and meet some neat new people! I hope you had a great time, too. (More pictures available by clicking on the photo above.)

Waihe’e Falls

October 7, 2009 on 4:29 pm | In Hiking | No Comments

This 3.6 mile (round trip) hike is very doable for families. The trail is about 50% shady and you do get some breeze as you climb the 500 ft to the base of the waterfall. The trail is a jeep road, covered in gravel. It is stroller-friendly for the first mile, then as it climbs fairly steeply in spots you’d really be hard pressed to get it up the hill unless your passenger is very light and you can pull, or you have a buddy to help you heft by grabbing half of the rig. The falls are well worth it. There are several spots to sit, and the pool is extremely shallow - good for little feet to stomp. For added interest, this was a location shoot for the LOST TV show. Several spots along the hike, actually, were used, so an avid follower of the program might identify familiar sights.

Lunch spot Good spots to sit for a small group of about 6. Otherwise it will get crowded. Shady. Safe.
Sun exposure About half of the hike is shady. Even if the sun is covering some of the trail, you can usually find a shaded portion.
Exertion Pretty decent. The trail is 3.6 miles roundtrip and climbs about 500 ft over the second half of the hike to the falls.
Treachery Really none to speak of, other than slipping on rocks near the base of the falls. Use common sense.

Trailhead
Follow Waihe’e Road (Kahalu’u) to the end and park on the side of the road. Scoot around the gate (there is a cutout to the left) and head down the gravel road. Keep following the road to the base of the falls. You’ll see some BWS buildings along the way. When you come to the tunnel (see picture in album) note that the road/trail curves off to the right side of the grassy area.

Pu’u Ualaka’a

August 22, 2009 on 2:10 pm | In Hiking | No Comments

This hike is a great 1.7 mile loop suitable for kids of just about any age. There are a few sections with a little bit of a steep drop-off to the side of the trail, but lots of brush to catch those who slip. Proceed west on Ualaka’a Trail; at 0.3 mi the trail forks - to the left (a very sharp left) is the Ulaka’a Trail, continuing straight takes you on the Makiki Valley Trail. If you want to do the whole loop, continue straight (look for the tree above to your right!) and cross Round Top Drive twice. About 0.2 mi after the second road crossing you’ll come to a four-way trail junction and a bench. Go left here to pick up Ualaka’a and it’s about 0.5 mi back to the trailhead. Lots of good tree-climbing opportunities along the way.

Shade Good - at least 90% shaded.
Treachery Almost none - just use good, sensible hiking intuition.
Exertion About 400′ elevation gain over a long, gentle grade. (Our preschoolers were still running around and playing after the hike so it won’t completely wipe them out.)
Lunch spot Several opportunities along the way - the 4-way junction or back at the parking lot where bathrooms are located.

Trailhead Drive uphill on Round Top Drive. At a hairpin turn, look for Pu`u `Ualaka`a State Park on the left. Drive into the State Park looking for the trailhead sign at the end of the first curve of the road. Continue up the road to the parking area, then walk back down the road to the trailhead. (Directions courtesy of Na Ala Hele which also provides a printable topographic map.)

Mariner’s Ridge

August 18, 2009 on 4:05 pm | In Hiking, trip report | No Comments

This is one of our favorite hikes for a good workout and great payoff. We last did this in Feb 08 when Sam had just turned 3 yrs old and Ben was 6 months gestation (Sam hiked on his own all the way up and back). Now look at them! Just for reference - posterity - Sam barrreled up this 1.5 mile/800′ climb in 1 hour without even a snack stop. He was “starving, mom” by the top but said in retrospect he hadn’t needed a snack (he did however keep drinking a lot of water!).

Pu’u Ohia

July 24, 2009 on 8:36 pm | In Hiking | 1 Comment

Kathy and crew checked out another hike with us today - Caleigh’s second hike on her own two feet with NO HELP! Wahoo! She is almost three (Aug). Pu’u Ohia will go down on the top 12 list for great kid hikes.

The trail starts with a bunch of stairs, then turns into a gentle grade through bamboo and guava. When you get to a service road at about .5 mi into the hike, go right and head up to the telephone station and pick the trail up again just to the left of the chainlink fence. That’s your turnaround point (0.75 mi) for Pu’u Ohia or you can continue on to connect with the Manoa Cliff trail and Pauoa Flats trail. If you go left at the service road junction you’ll see a cell phone tower at the top of a little rise - that’s the top of Mt. Tantalus.

Trailhead: It’s in the Tantalus trail network at about mile 4.5 on Tantalus/Roundtop Dr. There is a parking lot on the makai side of the road, and Pu’u Ohia starts across the street from the lot. Drive slowly or you’ll miss it.

Shade: about 75%
Treachery: low to moderate - it can be slippery after a rain, and there are some steep edges off to the side of the trail, but lots of bamboo to hold onto or break a fall. The child would not be lost forever, but a bit surprised. How’s that for a caution?
Lunch spot: top of service road is protected and kids can walk around.
Exertion: Easy grade but good workout for kids.

Judd Memorial Trail and Kaniakapupu ruins

October 22, 2008 on 8:42 pm | In Hiking | 1 Comment

The Judd Memorial Trail is a one-mile loop just off the Nuuanu Pali Dr. The trail only gains 250 feet and is wide with good footing most of the way. Near the stream bed that it follows at the bottom of the loop there are some roots which can be slippery during the rainy winter months. Be prepared for two stream crossings - on the way in and the way out. Water socks worked well for our group. Sam wears Merrell hiking shoes with mesh uppers and self-draining scuppers (can you believe that? his gear is way better than mommy’s!).

Treachery: Slippery roots for about 15% of the hike, and potentially very slippery scramble down to the Jackass Ginger Pool just off the trail.
Sun exposure: None! Shady the whole way, gang!
Lunch spot: A few good boulders by the pool, otherwise you’re looking at sitting on big roots or just the ground.
Exertion: Pretty easy hike. Even a toddler can do this one with a little help every now and then. This would be a good starter trail for the family new to hiking with kids.

Other: We got eaten alive by mosquitoes when we stopped briefly for a snack. The trail was wet and they were awaitin’ for us! Do use bug spray before you start, and bring some along. See my insect repellent section for a review of kid-friendly sprays.

Trailhead: From Honolulu, take Pali Hwy to Nuuanu Pali Dr. Just after hairpin turn to the right, look for #4018 on the left and a small parking area to the right with a little trailhead sign on the right. There is only room for a couple cars. Walk across stream and head right to begin the trail. Hug the stream bed for 0.1 mi until you see a junction - loop starts here. To the left is the long way around - after gaining 250′ in elevation on a gentle grade over 0.9 mi you come to Jackass Ginger Pool. If you continue straight at the junction, you’ll reach the pool in about 0.1 mi.

Kaniakapupu Ruins
Another 0.5 mi down Nuuanu Pali Dr (toward Kailua) you will see a Board of Water Supply building on the left. Across the road and about 20 yards further up you will see a trail cutting into a bamboo forest. Continue on this trail 300′ or so, then take the first left turn and proceed another 350′ or so. You will come upon a clearing with the ruins of King Kamehameha III’s summer home. This is a really neat extension to your hike. I found it fascinating to see the ruins, and hard to believe that this area somehow hosted 10,000+ people for a luau in 1847! Where did they all sit? There are several waterfalls in the area here, so it must have been a peaceful place to visit.