Extreme Hiking Hawaii

Photo by Nathan Yuen Most Oahu residents know about Waimanalo and where it is. Few know that there is a part of Waimanalo called Kaupo. Fewer still know about a trail called Kaupo Cliffs. There are a number of accounts of the ascent and/or descent of Kaupo Cliffs with the most recent of those listed below including visual renderings via pics and video. Enjoy. HTMC September 1998 Kirby Young April 1999 Nathan Yuen May 2010 Kaleo Lancaster September 2010 Nathan Yuen November 2010

Konahuanui, the highest peak in the Koolau Range, is usually reached via the Tantalus Trail system at a trailhead on Tantalus Drive (see google maps ). In 2001, another route to Konahuanui was employed. Herein is a description of that ascent and subsequent return which in total accounted for 8 to 10 miles. The starting point is the hunters' check-in where Nuuanu Pali Drive rejoins Pali Hwy. ( google maps ). We started along the muddy trail to Lulumahu Falls and after two stream crossings (very near Lulumahu Falls) we stayed on the left bank to begin climbing a roughly cut trail that went up the left ridge of Lulumahu. There was one section where the ridge narrowed to a razor edge. There was one steep section with a strap (dunno where it came from) for climbing assistance. Keep in mind that this was in 2001. That strap likely is not there or very frail if it is. Take note.After that, the ridge is fairly broad with no overly dangerous parts. Like the regular Konahuanu...

In Hawaiian, Loa means long. Hauula Loa, then, means Long Hauula. Some call this the longest ridge on Oahu. While that may not be true, this hike is indeed a long one which can be made even longer since this ridge is rarely hiked and thus very overgrown. The HTMC hiked this trail as a club outing on Aug. 24, 2002. This writer knows of no others who have hiked this entire route since. The hike starts along Kam Hwy and Hauula Homestead Rd. ( google map ) Leg 1 is from cars to top of Hau'ula Uka Loop and is probably the hardest leg, aerobically. It will take about an hour. Plan on some heavy heart-pumping on these initial series of climbs. The map shown here (which is from Stuart Ball's book) is of the Hauula Loop. From Hikers Guide to Oahu, Stuart Ball At Map Point H, head left at the junction to take the loop in a clockwise manner. The loop trail will top out on a ridge before descending to Map point I. At that ridge location, head up the ridge on a trail instead...

Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club Hike Hiker leader: Turner Hike date: August 2002 The map above shows the point-to-point distance of this hike as 3.14 miles (isn't that pi?) Of course, the hike was not as-the-mynah bird flies; therefore, the entire distance was probably closer to 9 or 10 miles. Originally this hike had an advertised starting point in Moanalua Valley and an unnamed ending point but only a handful of club members expressed an interest in taking part. Instead of starting at Moanalua, the starting point was the upper point of Aiea Loop Trail on Aiea Ridge. For the hike, the group met and staged their cars at the end of Komo Mai Drive , which is the Manana trailhead. Then there was a car pool to Aiea Heights to the Aiea Loop Trail upper starting point. A few minutes past eight, the group set off up the Aiea Loop Trail, passing the traditional down-trail to Kalauao and a couple minutes later departing the Loop Trail to descend a contour trail (see rendering o...

On March 16, 2003, Hawaii local dailies have articles about the apparent suicide of a 35-year old visitor from the mainland. One article mentions the location of the suicide as the Jack Ass Ginger trail. Another says the location was "a trail overlooking Nuuanu Pali." The articles, btw, are at http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Mar/16/ln/ln30a.html http://starbulletin.com/2003/03/16/news/index.html In actuality, the correct location of the (apparent) suicide was along the lower third of the Konahuanui trail . The hike, by the by, was Luaalaea-Konahuanui, whereby the route was as follows: start in Manoa, climb the ridge east of Luaalaea Falls, then head along the Koolau summit to Konahuanui, then hike down the Konahuanui trail to Pauoa Flats then back to Manoa via the Aihualama Trail. It was a great outing, albeit one with a somber interlude, but in the end all who began finished okay, which is always a good outcome. Nine members of the Hawaiian Trail and ...

Here is a recap of the Saturday November 23, 2002 HTMC hike. Cars were staged at the end of Hahaione Street in Hawaii Kai. Hikers then carpooled over to start by Kahala Mall at the mauka end of Kilauea Avenue . The group began hiking a bit after 8 a.m. Nine participants. Hike leader: Turner 1. Hike into Waialae Nui Gulch from the end of Kilauea Avenue .Right as we set out, we spotted a small white pueo. "A good omen?" someone asked. "For sure," said Turner who led the group up the wrong trail about ten minutes into the gulch. Recognizing his error, he turned everyone back. Not a good way to start but no one harped too loudly about the miscue. 2. Climb to Waialae Nui Ridge. (Big Climb 1) About ten minutes further in the gulch, Turner found the correct up-trail, this one forged out by Dr. Wing Ng who marked it well. A rugged climb, one of the toughest of the day. Right as the group started to climb a black pua'a, about a 100-pounder, was spotte...

Hike date : March 2001 by fourteen members of the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club Logistics : Vehicle shuttle from Puiwa Road in lower Nuuanu to the starting point by the hunter check-in at the top of Nuuanu Pali Drive . Hiking commenced at just about 8am sharp. Encountered a bowhunter from Waianae enroute. Final approach to Lanihuli -- Photo by Waianae Steve Hike coordinator (Turner) reminded hikers about one-at-a-time-on-a-cable protocol and carefulness when climbing one after another, especially in areas with loose rock. In 15 minutes, the group had reached the tunnel, where most stopped to dig out flashlights from their packs The group sloshed its way through the tunnel and folks commented how interesting it was to have something different like this as part of the hike. In about five minutes, everyone was through the rocky portal. Hikers then proceeded up Hillebrand Glen (aka Mo'ole Valley) (here is an i nteresting old story about hiking to Lanihuli via Hil...

Hike date : February 3, 2001 Jason Sunada, Pat Rorie, Laredo Murray, and I were successful in reaching the summit of the Ko'olaus from Waiahole Valley today. Since the topping out point was quite near the terminus of the Kipapa trail, I will refer to the ridge we climbed as Kipapa Windward. Photo by Nathan Yuen As I mentioned in a recently, Jason and I pushed partway up the ridge last Sunday. What took us two hours a week ago required only 30 minutes today. What a difference a swath made. Once we reached last Sunday's stopping point, we were on virgin ridge. Laredo, shirtless and with hair dyed partially red, jumped out into the front and bravely ascended through uluhe, an assortment of native plants, clidemia, and the like. The most challenging sections were 1) a contorted climb around/through an ohia tree that spanned a narrow section of ridge, and 2) a steep scramble up a loose rock section just above the tree. Cables and/or rerouting might help for future ascents...

Hike dat e: mid-December 2010 Getting up onto the ridgeline was MUCH safer with the new route I used this time. (the one I found on the way out last time ) This climbs the lower part of the Needle from the valley side, versus the direct approach along the spine. It is still very steep, but brings you to ~1350-1400'....past the nasty sheer section with crumbly soil and no solid handholds. This side route is where the only rope is located, but it is very worn and looks suspect. Needle from the trailhead At ~1500' is another exposed area with minimal holds. Hard on the way up, harder on the way down. A slip on the way down had me clawing at dirt and my foot finally caught a tiny flat spot just before I would have taken a big fall. Looking Up Long reach is helpful higher up when doing pull ups from one branch to the next. (guavas and ironwoods) There were two spots where I shimmied up ironwoods when the ridge steepness was great. The distance between hand/footho...