Wiliwilinui another fun, easy and of course beautiful hike my family and I will cherish as we take on new adventures in a new home
Starting at the tope of Wailae Iki Subdivision, Wiliwilinui is a 5 mile round trip hike to the Koolau Summit. A good portion of the hike consists of a dirt road wide enough for a 4-wheel vehicle to navigate. At the end of this road, the muddy trail narrows and steepens as you make the final climb to the summit. Although not necessary, there are ropes to aid in the ascent and descent. Just beyond a utility tower is the top, revealing a breathtaking view of the windward side.
Zeke and Zeph, Initially I thought it was a great idea to take the two of you to hike Olomana today, but as I watched both of you use ropes to transverse the rocks or your tiny fingers grip crevices to manipulate the steep terrain, I couldn't help but be a nervous wreck. I guess that's what they call motherly instinct. In the future, I am not sure how or if I will be able to accompany the two of you as you take on adventures of your own for the older I get the more reality sets in.
But for now, as I sit here in the comfort of our home, I beam with pride! Both of you not only made it to Olomana's first peak but smoked me in doing so! Wow Zeph, even at your little six-year-old stature you were able to ascend Olomana, a hike rated difficult by many. You are, if not, one of the youngest people to accomplish this huge feat. Just as awesome Zeke, you demonstrated maturity beyond your years. You composed yourself and did not let your fears get the best of you, something many adults are not capable of. I love you both dearly and look forward to creating more memories to last a life time as we spend our final months in what has been home to us all our lives...
If I could, I would keep this journal entry private. After all, this blog is for my children. Today we went on a hike that I enjoyed tremendously but do not recommend it. If you are like me, and just have to try and experience new things, acknowledge the risks, and take full responsibility, God forbid, anything should happen, then I am sure you would do this hike with or without the existence of my blog. Nonetheless, if you do this hike, you are forewarned of the potential risks involved and possibility of death. YOU are liable for your actions.
Kaliuwaa Falls better known as Sacred Falls is closed indefinitely due to the tragedy that happened on Mother's Day, May 11, 1999. Eight people died and more than 50 others were injured. Because the state advertised the place as a tourist destination, it was found guilty for not adequately warning tourists of possible falling rocks, and in having knowledge of the danger due to previous incidences. Like countless sites warn and many people have told us, it is likely to get arrested on this hike so Matt, Nate, Moani, Kalei knew we had to be incognito. We parked our car at the beach and waited until the coast was clear before walking around the yellow gate fronting the once public park. Nat spotted a trail to our left and suggest we take it. "It's a sign," he said. We looked at the path but kept heading straight. As we neared the second locked fence, fate would have it. A van pulled up and a man exited to unlock it. We ran into the bushes for fear of getting arrested. We couldn't help but giggle, although this was not laughing matter. Nate calmly walked behind acknowledging that the man had seen us. Yes, we probably looked really stupid but the thought of getting arrested is non-existence in my mind. Plus, I'm sure Nate can outrun anyone, but me, I'd be the first to get caught! We hid as the van drove in and waited patiently for it to pass. We exited the trail which led around the gate and back onto the dirt path. Fearing more cars, we headed down to the stream and tried to walk along it, but in reality spent more time in it. The hike didn't even start yet and my shoes are wet! UGH! I thought. But there was little time to complain as the sound of an engine neared and another truck passed. What are the odds of that? Seriously?!!! Out of all the days and times, we have impeccable timing!
Having soggy shoes sucked so much that Beimes and I headed back to the road even though we knew there was a great possibility we'd have to jump in the bushes if a third car appeared. My heart raced at the thought of being caught but luckily the coast was clear. We took a left as the road made a "Y." The wide trail split again, and we continued left for a second time on a much narrower path.
From the distinct trail, it is obvious that many people still frequent the falls. Unlike Maakua Gulch it was very clear where to go. We snaked through some boulders, ducked under some hau and crossed the river bed. Once on the right side, we strolled through the load of mountain apple trees. To my surprise they were full of fruits. Not as ripe as I would have liked, but I'm not complaining.
About thirty minutes later we excited the grove and walked up the river bed to the base of the falls. I stood in awe and respected the beauty and power of it. We took tons of pictures and had a blast swimming beneath it. We decided to set the timer on Beimes' 7D to take some final group shots. As we were about to take the last one...DUNK! It was a rock! It had fallen right next to Nate.. "Time to get out of here!" someone shouted. We all agreed and headed out.
It took about an hour to get back to our car. I cannot believe how easy it was to get to and from the falls. No wonder so many people visited it and still do, even with the potential risks! I am glad I got to experience Kaliuwaa Falls and feel extremely blessed to live in such a beautiful place. However, I still don't think if I'll ever be back...
How could we have lived in Kaneohe all our lives and
never have heard of Hamama Falls?
Coincidentally while searching for another falls in Ahuimanui, Beimes came across this hike. Starting at the end of Waihee Road (the first left after the bridge in Kahaluu), Hamama Falls is an easy 3 mile roundtrip stroll. Once through the hole cut in the locked fence we continued on the dirt and gravel path. Running water could be heard almost entirely throughout the hike and to my surprise mountain apple and guava trees lined some parts of the trek. After a few minor inclines and only about thirty minutes we were standing below the gorgeous Hamama Falls. Another beautiful day, another beautiful hike...
So of course I was really looking forward to today.
Not wanting to take on a strenuous or dangerous trail Beimes and I decided on Maakua Gulch. Originally we were shooting for Piliwale but with the lack of hiking this past month I knew that would have to wait. In fact, the more I contemplate attempting one of the most treacherous trails on the island, the more I realize it’s probably just not for me. Is the experience of summiting Konahuanui from the windward side worth the risk, especially when it can be reached from a much safer path? Do I really want to take the chance of falling to my death or having to call search and rescue for a HIKE? I know, I know, you only live once BUT there is much more than just my life at stake...
Supposedly an easy 6 mile round trip hike, Maakua Gulch is located off Hauula Homestead Road (near the Hauula town sign). Ryan, Kiele and their son Kamuela also joined us for today's adventure, and met us around noon for what we assumed would be a quick and effortless hike. We parked our cars along the road fronting the yellow gate which leads to the trail head and not at Hauula Beach Park like most sites and books suggests. We continued along that road past the Hauula Loop trail and Maakua Ridge hike to the road's end which contains a water pumping station. Some pretty cool Uncles were at work and let us walk through the usually fenced area.
*On any normal day one would just have to walk past the station to the right where there are signs warning about the dangers that lurk ahead. Maakua Gulch is actually closed indefinitely. The tragic Sacred Falls incident, and potential rock falls and flash floods make the trail too risky. In all honesty, it probably wasn’t best that we attempted Maakua Gulch considering yesterday’s rainy weather, last night’s rain, and this morning’s showers, but with submerging blue skies and Kiele’s forecast of dissipating clouds in Punaluu we decided to still go.
As we walked along the distinct trail exiting the station, we passed a pretty nice size boulder and then through a viva (strawberry guava) grove. However, our smooth sailing quickly came to an end as the trail vanished. We were forced to determine our own path and opted to follow the riverbed but soon found ourselves ducking beneath hau trees. Back and forth across the dried up stream we trekked trying to find a prominent trail but with no success. On a few occasions we did have the luxury of walking on dirt but majority of the time was spent carefully maneuvering the bed's rocks.
About thirty minutes later we reached the highly anticipated mountain apple grove. To our delight the trees were still in full bloom. Loads of apples laid splat on the ground and more glistened on the branches waiting to be picked. The fresh, juicy fruit was such a treat especially since the last time I can recall eating it was in elementary. We continued along as we munched away and longed to hear the sound of water. The valley started to get narrower and the walls began to creep up around us. It was a sight to behold but an even greater feeling to be sandwiched between such steep and lush walls.
Finally we heard trickling and figured we were almost there! Or so we thought! We couldn't have been more wrong as the trail snaked deeper and deeper and deeper into the valley. Maneuvering the now mossy, wet, and slippery rocks made the hike much longer than usual and was quite frankly, damn irritating. As each bend neared I prayed it was the last one.
After what seemed like forever, two and a half hours, we reached the swim hole. We swam across the first area and up to the second...jackpot! A stunning waterfall awaited us including a rope to ascend it. We climbed up and jumped into the fresh water. Ryan even did a couple of swan dives. And while cold, it was extremely rejuvenating but best of all it was secluded! It was more beautiful and fun than I imagined and made every step of the hike worth it! Talk about lucky we live Hawaii!!!
Our return hike was much faster, about a half hour shorter, because we noticed more maintained paths, many of which are located on the right side of the riverbed when heading in. A key trail that we missed would have saved us a lot of time. It is located at the widest part of the bed where a huge mango tree stands. Rather than walk up along the rocks, head straight across it. The path is not marked with a ribbon but if you take a minute to look for it, it is easy to find.
We eventually reached our cars at 5:00 pm. The 6 mile, easy rated Maakua Gulch took a total of five hours! Rather long in my opinion but...today was awesome. I don’t know if I really liked Maakua Gulch or if I was just super stoked to hike. It was probably a combination of both. The cumbersome trek is definitely outweighed by the abundance of guava and mountain apples, fun swim hole, beautiful waterfall, and gorgeous sights. We'll definitely be back on a sunnier day with more time to play away and maybe even a camelbak or two of Red Bull-vodka.
Zeke turned 7 and I figured it was time to buy him a complete. A real skateboard, not one from Walmart or already put together, but one where HE picked out his deck, trucks, wheels, and even screws. I was pleased when at APB we found a green Element-mini, Speed Demon trucks and wheels, and Lucky Hardware (7 black screws and 1 green one).
He was so stoked he rode it the minute we left the store.
After calling just about everywhere to find the largest blue tarp on the island we headed to Home Depot and got a monster 40 by 60.
I decided not to have a party for Zeke, well not a huge party but more of a small get together with his cousins to keep the cost down...
$250 Complete Head to Toe:
Skateboard, Backpack, Hat, Shirt, Shorts, and Shoes on order
$175 Blue Tarp
$45 Pizza
$15 Drinks
$25 Goodie Bags
Total: $500ish
So much for saving money for our Disney and Vegas trip.
Five hundred dollars for a day of tarp surfing and swimming at the pool! Kind of ridiculous when I think about it, but seeing the kids faces and knowing it’ll be one of those memories they’ll tell to their children made today all worth it.
On the other hand, getting the tarp to cooperate was a bit tricky. Depending on the wind we pulled either diagonal of straight. Majority of the time three of us pulled to create the largest, nicest wave. The wind was so strong it was next to impossible to pull the tarp alone.
Just as I finished getting some pretty cool shots of the kids it started to rain so I borrowed what little clips my 8 year old niece took with my brother’s 4g. The HD sucks or something.
Regardless everyone had a blast and we're definitely going tarp surfing next weekend.
It’s been a while since our last hike and it’s feels like forever since I’ve seen Beimes.
To back track, Beimes came across this blog: Hiking on Oahu with Martyna and Allegra, and we soon realized that hiking beyond the second notch is possible. The first time we did the Pali Notches we did not go past the first one so going beyond the second one was definitely on our list of things to do. Thus it was decided upon as the first hike of my new school year. Thank goodness for Statehood Day.
Today was beautiful. The entire Koolau Mountain range was clear and Konahuanui was visible. It was a great day to do the notches.
Or so we thought...
No clouds meant that the winds were strong, in fact blustering. Beimes’s hat blew off, on several occasions we were literally pushed aside, and on our ascent back up the second notch the rope fluttered in the wind. I have never, ever seen rope fly in the wind as I did today. Needless to say the hike beyond the second notch was unnerving and challenged my fear of heights. It’s never the sheer ridge-lines that get to me, it’s that damn rock climbing and in this case rock descending. The wind did not help as I inched my way down the second notch. I clearly remember thinking, What the hell did I get myself into and at the same time You can do this, you’ve done worse. Slowly but surely I finally made my way down thanks to Beimes aiding me.
The trek beyond the second notch wasn’t nearly as terrifying until we reached the knob. I decided to ascend it while Beimes tried to go around it’s base, but because both of us knew that today wasn’t the day we wanted to die we sat atop satisfied and called it a day. We could see a white tank hanging from a branch on the vertical ledge marking someone’s conquered feat. I wonder if anyone has gone farther and actually made it all the way to Konahuanui. What a story that must be.
I think I’m pretty much done exploring the Pali Notches. If I ever attempt to make it to K1 I’d have to go all the way because there is no way I could descend that insane ledge, but who knows what else the hike beyond entails. I personally don’t think the risks outweigh the experience so I’ll wait for someone else to post their incredible accomplishment and live vicariously through them.
Venturing beyond the second notch was fun. I can't wait for our next hike which I hope is soon, and secretly wish for some furloughs.
