Makapuu to Kaluanui (Mariner's Ridge)
One of my goals is to someday hike the entire spine of the Koolau Range from Makapu'u to Konahuanui. Along with several friends-- Wing Ng, Chris Thomas, and Bill and Willie Melemai--I knocked off about four miles of that span on December 14, 1996 when we hiked from the Makapu'u Lookout to the apex of Kaluanui (aka Mariner's) Ridge. The hike is one of the more magnificent treks along the Koolau backbone because much of it is along open ridge with superb views of the windward side of Oahu. To facilitate the hike, we staged cars at the base of Kamiloiki Ridge (by Pahua Heiau on Makahuena Place in Hawaii Kai) and atop Mariner's Ridge subdivision (Kaluanui Road). That way, we had a couple descent options should something happen on the trail. I volunteered to drive everyone to our starting point on Kalanianaole Highway by the Makapu'u Lookout. The trail begins on the rocky slope across from the lookout and after a short 15-minute climb, we had gained the 400-foot lev...