Pu`u Mai (Koko Crater) Sunrise! - Again...

June 2, 2012. Another pre-dawn trek up the tracks at Koko Crater in the dark to watch another beautiful sunrise! Pushed off from the parking lot at around 4:30 am. The first time I hiked up Koko Crater for sunrise I was the only person on the mountain and not a single car was parked in the parking lot when I arrived. This morning, when I arrived at 4:30 am, the parking lot was packed! There was a large group of 20-30 people waiting near the cars at the bottom, apparently waiting for more people to arrive before pushing off up the tracks! The sun hadn't risen and already the tracks were a highway... Thankfully the sunrise did not disappoint.

The rising sun slowly lit Hawaii Kai and Honolulu.

I caught the sun's rays just hitting Diamond Head, still too early for anyone to be at the top.

As the sun rose, Koko Crater cast a long shadow across Hawaii Kai.

I had set up camp in a little secluded area just past the crated area at the top of Pu`u Mai. While I was sitting there a pair of middle aged women came up to me and one stated without any plea for understanding that her companion needed to use the bathroom so I could leave now. She never asked or anything...her friend needed to use the bathroom and I was to move. Okay. Needless to say, I did not want to stick around to see that. As I was walking away two guys passed me heading to my hang out spot where the one lady was presumably using the bathroom. I may have failed to alert them to the reason I was leaving...whoops!

The top of the tracks were choked with early morning hikers. I made my was past the crowd and down the tracks. What a great way to start the day and the weekend.

I drove home, picked up Sommer to take her to work and then tried to replace some of the calories I lost on the tracks.

Rest of the pics here:

Konahuanui - K2 - May 28, 2012

On Memorial Day 2012 I hiked Konahuanui to K2 with Brinton Johnson. Six people started the hike in the pre-dawn hours, only the two of us made it to the top. Shortly after pushing off on the Kalawahine trail one member of our party decided hiking wasn't for him. He wussed out and luckily (for him) the rest of our party went back to their car and had breakfast and a lazy day instead. Brinton and I pushed on.

We made our way past Nu`uanu Lookout and onto the contour trail just as the sun peaked over the Ko`olau.

Thankfully the clouds blocked most of the sun and never really dumped much rain on us. We made our way to the ridge andthe steep climb up the three humps to the top.

At the top of the first hump, just past the really eroded section that dominates the ridge, someone had attached a small cache.

We left our names on the roll and made our way up the ridge.

Like many ridge on the Ko`olau, your steady climb is quickly rewarded...at least when the clouds play nice.

The ridge trail is badly eroded, especially at the steepest parts. Thankfully there are ropes to assist some of the more sketchy stretches.

I had forgotten how "exciting" the last bit of the trail is right before K2. There are a few sections where a slip up could spell disaster. Making your way slowly and with some thought should prevent any need to call HFD.

We finally reached the summit of K2 and soaked in the beauty of the Ko`olau and the view out towards Kailua, Maunawili and Waimanalo.

View Large

We decided against continuing on to K1.

Path along the KST to K1.

Konahuanui K1

From K2 we could see groups popping up at the Manoa Middle Summit and Awaawaloa (Wa`ahila Ridge/Mt. Olympus).

Manoa Middle Ridge Summit.

Awaawaloa/Wa`ahila Ridge Summit

We had a great view of the peaks of the Ko`olau.

Haiku Stairs/CCL Building

Lanihuli Summit

Wiliwilinui Summit

I could even spy on some hikers on the Maunawili Ditch Trail.

On our way back we reflected on the wonder of the Ko`olau and the great blessing to live so close to such beauty!

Rest of the pictures here:

Waiakeakua Falls - May 19, 2012

Sommer and I headed out to the back of Manoa Valley and up a relatively short hike to Waiakeakua Falls. Kai and I had hiked up to Waiakeakua Falls last year and I thought Sommer would love this hike (she loves waterfall hikes...well, she tolerates them more than ridge hikes).  The waters of Waiakeakua stream were considered reserved for ali`i.  The stream consists of cool, clear spring water that flows all year round.  O`ahu ali`i would have water brought all the way from Waiakeakua for their use.

The crystal clear water of Waiakeakua stream.  These are rocks under about 3 feet of water.

At around 1.75 miles into the hike is the lower falls.

Beyond the lower falls is another waterfall about 15 feet high.

Beyond this falls is a much taller waterfall about 50-60 feet tall. Getting to that waterfall requires a climb up the waterfall. We did not go up to the next waterfall. Others have taken some beautiful pictures of the falls here (Unreal Hawaii). Waiakeakua Falls is a wonderful alternative to the more popular and crowded Manoa Falls, much more wild and a little more work.

Rest of the pictures here: