Oahu Hike Tales

To do this hike, drive to the end of Hao Street and walk on a buffalo grass-covered jeep road for 10-15 minutes, at which time the vegetation turns to Christmas berries and hau. Look for a ribbon and a boulder on the right that marks a trail that heads off to the right. Follow that trail. The path doubles back and heads mauka for a couple minutes, crosses a gully and contours across the slope (to the east). Then it crosses a dry streambed and then the main streambed. Thereafter one ascends the middle ridge of Wailupe Valley. The trail goes thru an open area and features very pleasant ridge walking. Below to the left is a nice Norfolk pine grove. Looming above to the left on the summit is the radio tower building that marks the apex of the Wiliwilinui trail. A somewhat steep ascent thru a guava forest follows with many of the branches cut to make the way easier. That must have taken a lot of work. Whoever was responsible--mahalo!! After the trail levels off again there's anot...

Several exclusive neighborhoods exist on Oahu, such as oceanside estates like Kahala and Portlock. Oahu's rich folks also have a fondness for high elevation abodes. One such locale is Hawaii Loa Ridge, a posh subdivision up P'uu Ikena Drive off Kalanianaole Highway just kokohead side of Aina Haina. On a recent October morning, for the first time ever, I ventured mauka up Pu'u Ikena not to gawk at the million dollar homes up there, but to hike a wonderful trail that begins at the highest point of the subdivision. As a visitor, I had to stop at the security booth near the start of Pu'u Ikena and sign a waiver--which I idiotically never read (it was probably some guarantee that I wouldn't sue the bejabbers out of rich folks if I maimed myself). The waiver signed and my right to sue forfeited, I shifted my Cherokee into low gear for the steep climb to the very top of the subdivision. Residents of the ridge have a view of Oahu's sout...