Pu`u Ma`eli`eli - February 4, 2012

Sommer wanted to go hiking, again, this Saturday. She was able to drag along our friends TJ and Shelly Daw. We headed over to Ahuimanu and Temple Valley for a quick sunrise hike up Pu`u Ma`eli`eli.

We started off from Kahekili Highway just before the Temple Valley McDonalds.

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Of course the day I decide to do a short hike the Ko`olau are clear from any clouds! I kept thinking I should be up in the Ko`olau!

We gained the crest of ridge seperating Ahuimanu and He`eia as the sun rose over Kailua.

The Ko`olau was bathed in the soft orange glow of the rising sun.

The trail quickly ascends to the ridge line then it's a short hike to the summit.

In less than an hour from pushing off we reached Pu`u Ma`eli`eli.

The summit is topped with a sign announcing Pu`u Ma`eli`eli and recounting the history of the hill. The summit also houses an underground bunker.

The trail continues past the summit to a double storied bunker over looking Kane`ohe Bay. The sweeping view stretches from Chinaman's Hat in the north to Mokapu and Kailua to the south.

The clear skies made for some great views.

Pu`u Ohulehule

True Manamana

Pu`u Olomana and Pu`u Ahiki

`Aiea Summit

Konahuanui

Pu`u Eleao

Haiku Stairs and Pu`u Keahiakahoe

Kalihi Saddle

Pu`u Lanihuli

TJ and I dropped down into the lower bunker.

After taking in the views for half and hour we headed back to the civilization.

Holding hands for support.

About halfway down the trail we took a detour and made a loop of the trail, coming out at the back of the Hui `Iwa townhouses and made our way down Hui `Iwa Street to our car.

Final drop down into Hui `Iwa.

We then headed off to Boots & Kimo's in Kailua for some post hike refueling.

Rest of the pictures here:

GPS track:

Kapālama Loop - January 21, 2012

Kapālama Loop. I've been wanting to do this loop above Kamehameha Schools for a long time. I scouted the Na Pueo by-pass a few months ago and finally got to complete the loop with Sommer last Saturday.

Kapālama Loop is a microcosm of Ko`olau hiking; mud, eucalyptus fields, switch backs, narrow paths through painful uluhe, grassy ohio lined sections and dry rocky stretches.

Once you gain the loop trail we turned left for a clockwise trip on the loop. The trail drops into a small valley and stream bed. This section of the trail seems seldom used, wet and muddy.

The loop then raises on a long series of gentle switch backs among tall reforested sections.

Sommer rocking the neck scarf

Once you gain the crest of the ridge, the loop takes on a typical Ko`olau ridge trail character. The trail is sometimes chocked with uluhe constantly ripping at your shins. Lanihuli ridge rises from the south and Kamanaiki ridge rises to the north.

Kamanaiki Ridge

Lanihuli Ridge

Along the trail we passed the remnants of an old cabin.

Just under 4.5 miles in, the loop junctions with the Lanihuli ridge trail. Taking a left at the junction takes you up to Lanihuli, turning right take you back down to Alewa Heights. Sommer and I took a break at the junction and had some lunch.

Spam, eggs & rice, hiking lunch of champions!

Lanihuli ridge on the left, Kapālama Loop on the right

Trail to the summit

The trail back to the start of the loop follows the ridge line and all of its ups and downs. The beginning section of the trail is grass covered and very pleasant.

The return leg offers great views of Nu`uanu valley and the ewa plain.

Konahuanui

Nu`uanu Valley

The trail then dries out and gets dusty and rocky.

I no roped it.

We soon passed the permanent makeshift camp and arrived at the Na Pueo by pass entrance.

Starting from the Na Pueo park up on Alewa Heights, Kapālama Loop is 7 miles long. It's a great loop hike. Sommer said it was the most interesting hike she's been on (read her write up of the same hike here). I think I must agree. This trail has everything!

GPS track of the hike (view with the aerial map):

Rest of the pictures here: