Hamama Falls - March 24, 2012

Another Saturday, another hike with Kai and the girls. Today Kai, Anale`a, `Olena and I headed up Waihe`e Valley to Hamama Falls. Hamama Falls is located in a restricted watershed area, and access is technically restricted. Despite warnings of no trespass, the Falls and the dirt/gravel road leading to the falls are well trodden and quite a popular hike/walk. Due to recent rains the road to the falls was pitted and stripped away at points, with large pot holes and boulders strewn on the path.

A few minutes into the hike there's a popular swimming hole. Just past the swimming hole is the entrance to the Board of Water Supply's Waihe`e Tunnel. More about the tunnels and the 5 millions gallons of water that flow through this dike tunnel can be found here.

Once past the Waihe`e Tunnel it's only a few more minutes to Hamama Falls.

At the base of the falls is a large pipe, which you can hear the rushing torrent of water flow through. A little spigot leaked some of the pressurized water.

We stopped to rest and take some pictures. The girls loved the spray of the cold water and the excitement of the falls.

Top of Hamama Falls

We soon started back after enjoying the beauty of Hamama Falls. Despite a brief downpour of rain on our way to the falls, no other chutes were flowing that day.

Here's a video of our hike:

A timelapse video of us at the falls:

Rest of the pics here:

Map of the hike:

Oneawa Hills - March 17, 2012

Me and Pohai attempted this ridge way back in 2010. We only made it a short distance before heading back. This time my Dad and Olena accompanied Kai and I on this short hike on the ridge separating Kailua and Kaneohe.

The trail starts at the Friendship Garden at the end of Kokokahi Place in Kaneohe. The trail quickly gains the ridge with great views of Kaneohe Bay, Kawainui Marsh and Kailua.

After a series of ascents and descents along the ridge line, Kapa`a Quarry comes into view. The trail narrows and the view of the emerald green slurry pool rises to the south.

There were some giant dump trucks making their way around the quarry.

There seemed to be no barrier along the rim of the man-made lake. A slip along the edge would lead to a long drop!

On the other side of the small valley bisected by the H-3 was the nearly emaciated Pu`u Ulumawao.

Olena was a trooper. This was easily the hardest hike she's done. She even managed the rope sections.

Daddy did help her sometimes.

Along the way we passed what appeared to be an old irrigation system to reforest the quarried ridge.

The trail veers off to the north and down to the end of Lipalu Street.

The trail crosses a dried stream bed and soon you're at the Lipalu Street.

We waited for my Mom to come pick us up and haul us back to my car waiting at the Friendship Garden. What a great little hike and what a good job Olena and my Dad did!

Rest of the pictures here:

Pu`u Mai (Koko Crater) In The Rain (Sunrise!)

Kai and Chas' eldest daughter Anale`a asked if she could hike up Koko Crater for a sunrise last Saturday! Ana has been hiking with me a couple time (both times up Kaiwa Ridge). Koko Crater's tracks would be a BIG step up for her!

We pushed off from the Koko Head park in the darkness. We were the first in the parking lot. On the way up, the heavens opened and the rain came down! Right about when we reached the bridge the rain kicked up a notch. Ana and Kai took the bridge while Sommer and I took the bypass route. The tracks and the bypass were rivers at this point. In just under an hour we topped off at the summit of Pu`u Mai just before sunrise. I set up my DSLR to film another beautiful sunrise.

It was another great start to the weekend. I love when my Saturday begins on a trail, in the dark. In a few minutes the sun peaked over the clouds.

Here's a time-lapse of the sunrise:

We took some pictures and made our way down the soggy and muddy tracks.

This dog refused to go any further.   He forced his owner to turn around just a few yards from the top.

Mud on the tracks.

Once down off the tracks we took some final pictures and headed out for some breakfast!

Rest of the pictures: