Oahu Hike Tales

One of the Waimano tunnels We had a pretty big turnout for today's HTMC outing (29 May 2004), which I coordinated, over 60 folks in all. The weather was mixed, with sunny skies most of the way and a few drizzle showers now and then. We did the hike as a loop of about five miles, using the rough trail that skirts along the fenceline of the Waimano Home grounds, then continuing mauka along the dirt road behind the Home (maintained by HECO for powerline maintenance, methinks), then descending the not oft traversed (but quite lovely) switchback trail to Little Waimano Stream and the tunnels. Since these sections were new to most, it was interesting and enjoyable, at least based on the comments I heard. Also enjoyed was the traverse thru the two long tunnels (each about 100 meters). Personally, I dislike the tunnels and in fact did not follow the big group through them. Not to worry, though, since there were ample HTMC vets on hand to make sure all went well with the hunched over, ...

Twenty years ago, on 6/20/1998, Patrick Rorie and I led an outing dubbed a "Super Hike," the first of its kind for the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club. Completing the by-invitation, members-only hike were Hiroshi Sakae, Ken Suzuki, Carole K. Moon, Lita Komura, Mike Algiers, Rob Geer, Wing Ng, Steve Poor, and Carl Crimbring. Dr. Torrey Goodman, a non-member (she plans to join soon) hiking on an unofficial status, was an energetic and welcome addition to our group. Ken, Carole, Lita and Wing wanted to begin a little earlier than the rest so they met me at the Waimano trailhead at 6:30 a.m. and I transported them to the head of the Manana trail where they began hiking at 6:45. It was raining in the mountains when they departed but skies were blue over Pearl City and further makai so we had hopes the weather bureau's prediction of brief morning showers followed by mostly sunny conditions would be correct. After seeing them off, I headed down Palisades and back to the en...