[x] Pali Puka, April 2012
This trail also starts from the Pali lookout, this time somewhere to the right of the parking lot where commercial buses park. The crumbled portion of the rock wall marks the start of the trail head, which travels somewhat steeply up the ridge. I'm kind of scared of heights so this one freaked me out a bit, but I managed. The hike is relatively short (45 minutes round trip) and leads to a puka (hole) in the mountain.
Explorer pose
The puka
[x] Pali Notches, August 2014
One of the scariest trails I've been on because of the technicality required to negotiate the notches, sheer drops, and wind factor. I was literally sliding my body down the side of the boulders inch by inch because I wanted to hug as close to them as possible. Luckily there were ropes available to help navigate. Short hike but great workout for the arms since I was always clenching so tightly to avoid falling off the side of the mountain.
[x] Pali Lookout, long ago
This was one of the earlier trails that I did with my family when my sister and I were in our elementary school days. It's a family-friendly hike that can be done from the Pali hairpin turn to the lookout, or vice versa that is commonly known. But after doing research, I found that the lookout leads to a bunch of other trails as well. The photos below are at the lookout, but technically taken when I did the Likeke Falls trail. Just thought I'd put them here though to spread the picture viewing enjoyment.
Before reaching the notches
Selfie at the top of notch one (see how windy it is?)
Jack at forefront on knoll after 2nd notch, me on 2nd notch, and Stacy (blue speck on my left) on the 1st notch
Me concentrating hard on my way down
[x] Pali Lookout, long ago
Tracyn wanted to take jumping pictures, so here's the first one
Got a little more creative (none of these poses were coordinated beforehand)
Our best pose (It was basically "Jump!" (snap) "Jump!" (snap) "Jump!" (snap))
We coincidentally thought to do the same pose
It took several attempts to finally complete this trail. I am not apparently good at following directions. The trail was finally accomplished on the day we celebrated Reid's 24th birthday. There are apparently two ways to do this trail, one beginning at the Ko'olau Golf Course and the other starting from the Pali Lookout. We opted for the latter. The highlight of the trail was going under the Pali Highway and hearing Tracyn make animal sounds in the forest.
Finally found it!
This is considered an illegal hike since it starts on the Board of Water Supply property. Since I don't really break rules that often, but because I really wanted to hike this trail because I heard it's one of the highest waterfalls here on the island that's always flowing, my desire to hike won out and I was able to convince my sister to attempt this with me. We went on a holiday since research suggests that holidays are less likelihood of getting caught/fined. Travel through a bamboo forest and cross some streams to get to the falls. It's very easy to get lost, but thankfully I found a blog that had detailed instructions along the trail for how to get to the falls. This was one of those times I couldn't afford to get lost, and I'm surprised I succeeded!
Beautiful to look at, but easy to get lost in
Creepy-looking shed towards the start of the trail
Final destination; camera does not do the height of the falls justice
This is one trail that I didn't find too exciting. This was a family hike done back in the day. It consists of a billion switchbacks (okay, maybe more like 27) up the mountainside. I don't remember the view at the top so I guess it wasn't that memorable. But what I do remember is my dad having trouble traveling down since he had knee problems and that my sister also lost her cell phone on this trail.
[x] Judd Trail/Jackass Ginger Falls, February 2013
The Judd Trail is a short loop trail that can connect to the Nu'uanu Trail as well as veer off to Jackass Ginger Falls. The first time my sister and I attempted to find the falls, I think we passed by it but didn't realize we were there. Even the second time we weren't sure, but verified it against photos we found on the web of the falls. Stacy did find a tree that she had the urge to climb, bringing out the little kid in her :)
I was gonna write I-Spy Stacy, but it's not that hard to spot her
[x] Luakaha Falls, April 2014
Stacy and I first attempted this trail sometime in 2013, but were not able to find the actual falls. After this failed attempt, I went online to research more detailed directions, and found info from several different sources. After compiling the info, I tried once more to find the waterfall that eluded me. This time was a success! Jiahong and I found the smaller falls above the true Luakaha Falls. We followed the sounds to find the top of the humongous falls, but couldn't find a trail that led easily from our vantage point. We backtracked to the main trail and relooked at our directions. We followed them to a huge water pipe and onto the path to the stone steps that led to the falls. There were "No Trespassing" and "Private Property" signs with written messages of "Violators will be prosecuted." That worried me, but not enough to not find the falls and take a picture before heading back.
Smaller falls at the top
Larger falls, though the picture does not do it justice (it's at least five stories tall)
[x] Alapena and Kapena Falls, February 2013
Stacy and I spent a Saturday morning attempting a few trails in the Nu'uanu area. These two were the first of the series (Judd was after and then the Kamehameha III ruins/attempt to Luakaha Falls followed). This is a very short hike off the scenic spot around the bend of the Pali after you drive through the Nu'uanu residential stretch and before you hit the Pauoa Valley exit where you see a view of a cemetery and pagoda if you look to the right. I think bums live down here since we saw some tent/tarp set-ups.
[x] Pu'u Ohia-Pauoa Flats, July 2011
One of the many trails in the Makiki area that is maintained by the State. I don't remember there being anything particularly special about this trail, but there's a nice picnic spot at the end of the Pauoa Flats trail where we saw a couple having their lunch. Stacy joined me for this hike that we started in the late afternoon, so we kind of had to rush through the trail. She wasn't too happy about it because the rush took away from the enjoyment of the trail, and with all the large tree roots in the way, it wasn't exactly ideal for running to make our trip faster for fear of spraining our ankles. We managed to get home and not scolded by our parents for making a poor choice in time of day to hike.
[x] Kanealole-Makiki Valley Trail-Ualaka'a-Maunalaha, July 2011
A loop trail of several interconnecting trails in the Makiki area. The typical start and end point is the Hawaii Nature Center. Stacy and I took a family friend's niece and her cousin on this hike since they were visiting from Taiwan. I was glad we did the hike clockwise instead of counter-clockwise because it was much steeper the other way. We also took a side trip on another shorter trail, where we found some massive trees. Doable, but required more physical exertion than I anticipated.
Looks like swamp monsters
Interesting branch tunnel formation, not sure if natural or intentional
One of the interesting trees we passed
Is that big or is that BIG? See me in the corner?
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