Saturday, February 18, 2012

Damon Estates - Moanalua Valley - February 11, 2012

IMG_1802

A couple weeks ago Wai`anae Steve posted to the Facebook group O`ahu Weekend Hikers a scan of the Moanalua Gardens Foundations self guided walking tour, "A Walk Into The Past..."  The booklet follows Kamananui Valley Road in Moanalua detailing the old Damon Estate homes and the ancient and recent history of the valley.  I took the scans and converted them to pdf.  You can download the pdf in straight numerical order, or in booklet order.  The booklet version is meant to be printed two to a page and duplexed (binding on the right edge).  The booklet version includes only the sections on the valley markers and a map of the valley.

Pages from A_Walk_Into_the_Past_Page_01

The first marker I'm assuming was at or before the gate at the back of Moanalua valley Park. It's no where to be found. The second marker was laying on the ground on the north side of the main gate. The scans did not include marker 2, so I don't really know what it was about.

IMG_1800

Pages from A_Walk_Into_the_Past_Page_02

IMG_1963

Marker 3 is the site of Douglas Damon's home ruins. The trail to the ruins are blocked by a downed clump of trees.

IMG_1966

Just past the blockage is the foundation and ruins of the Damon home.

IMG_1969

IMG_1968

The Hawaiian house post hole is easily visible on the top of the foundation.

IMG_1975

At the back of the foundation is the brick fireplace.

IMG_1981

IMG_1976

IMG_1996

To the right of the foundation are the stairs leading to the filled in pool.

IMG_1982

IMG_1985

The stairs are no longer surrounded by bamboo, but are being reclaimed by the hau. At the end of the stairs are the walls of the silted pool.

IMG_1991

I couldn't find marker 4 along the road.

Pages from A_Walk_Into_the_Past_Page_03

Of course the stream and first bridge remain, although the eucalyptus has lost its chemical warfare against its neighbors.

Pages from A_Walk_Into_the_Past_Page_04

Marker 5 still stands...

IMG_1821

IMG_1209

IMG_1208

...but I didn't see any koa.

Pages from A_Walk_Into_the_Past_Page_05

There was no marker 6, but the stream gauging station is still there.

IMG_1214

IMG_1217

Pages from A_Walk_Into_the_Past_Page_06

I didn't see marker 7, but the 'ohe (bamboo) is obvious.

IMG_1829

IMG_1830

I did not see any kukui.

Pages from A_Walk_Into_the_Past_Page_07

Again there was no Marker 8, but the rock wall, the picnic area and the hala is all there.

IMG_1221

IMG_1958

IMG_1224

IMG_1223

I didn't see any ent hala, though.

Pages from A_Walk_Into_the_Past_Page_08

I didn't hear any `amahiki nor see any `ohi`a lehua or marker 9 along the jeep trail, especially so low in the valley.

Pages from A_Walk_Into_the_Past_Page_09

The cobblestone road is still there to be tread under-foot...

IMG_1957

...but it seems the mango has long been pickled.

Pages from A_Walk_Into_the_Past_Page_10

Pohakukaluahine is still resting peacefully on the banks of the Moanalua stream.

IMG_1841

Pages from A_Walk_Into_the_Past_Page_11

IMG_1843

The petroglyphs are faded but still there.

Pages from A_Walk_Into_the_Past_Page_12

The jewel of the Damon estate in Kamananui valley are the ruins of May Damon's stable and stove house.

IMG_1846

At marker 11 there is a short trail to the ruins of May's home.

IMG_1848

IMG_1885

IMG_1239

IMG_1850

IMG_1884

IMG_1236

IMG_1237
Looking down the chimney.
Just trail leads past the stove house ruins up to a look out with great views of the back of Moanalua valley.

IMG_1867

IMG_1866

There are a grove of `ohi`a near the ruins of May's stove house.

IMG_1873

IMG_1874

None of the `ohi`a in this groove there were flowering.

Pages from A_Walk_Into_the_Past_Page_13

A little past May's house is marker 12.

IMG_1252

Surprisingly the `ohi`a, `uluhe and pala`a are all there, right at marker 12.

IMG_1255
Once of the trails leading to "Tripler Ridge"
IMG_1254

IMG_1257

IMG_1258

Thankfully the `uluhe is well off the road and not constantly tearing at your shins.

Pages from A_Walk_Into_the_Past_Page_14

Pages from A_Walk_Into_the_Past_Page_15

I didn't see marker 13, but the view is still there. I did not see any pueo standing guard of the valley.

IMG_1906

IMG_1909

Once past Pu`u Pueo I followed Kamananui Valley Road up the valley. I had been up the valley quite a few times, but never to the "end of the road".

IMG_1903

IMG_1891

IMG_1894

IMG_1908

Near the start of the Kulana`ahane Trail there was a truck parked on the side of the road.

IMG_1914

IMG_1915

I didn't see any of the hunters on my way up the trail nor any of their dogs. I did hear some dog howling deep in the valley which made for an eeire walk at the back of the valley. As i got closer to the end of the road I could smell some kind of stink animal. It could have easily been hunting dog or pua`a.

I quickly made my way past the Kulana`ahane trail head and past the start of the Moanalua Middle Ridge.

IMG_1916

IMG_1919

IMG_1954

It appeared that the road past the two trail heads is seldom used. The road was uneven, deeply rutted and overgrown.

IMG_1924

IMG_1925

IMG_1947

IMG_1931

IMG_1928

IMG_1950

Finally the road turns for the last time over the Moanalua stream and turns into a overgrown trail.

IMG_1934
Final stream crossing.
IMG_1942

I took a picture of myself at the end of the road before heading back down, out of the valley.

IMG_1943

I made great speed getting out of the valley, no longer needing to stop and explore along the way. While making my way out I was passed by the hunting party and their dogs driving out on the dirt road. Looks like they didn't catch any pua`a.

IMG_1956

Making my way back I thought of how I used to think this old carriage road was a boring necessity to accessing much more interesting trails. How ignorant I was to the rich history I had been passing every time I drudged up this valley. Once again thanks to Steve and especially the Moanalua Gardens Foundation.

Rest of the pictures here:

GPS track:

7 comments:

  1. Nice, Scott. Good write up, good pairing with the old text.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for your wonderful post! I actually read it last night and then brought it up on my iphone today during the hike. Without your blog, I would have missed May's driveway. I didn't make it to the end of the trail, I turned around when the road turned extremely muddy. My roundtrip was 6 miles. Thanks again for the history and great pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Do you do tours? Or wiling to have someone tag alo.g with you?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are some great hiking groups on O`ahu. Here a great place to start: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oahuweekendhikers/ (copy & paste)

      Delete
  4. You did such a great job showcasing the trail! Your pictures are great and you laid everything out beautifully. I'm a bit of a Moanalua Valley history buff, and I don't know how the Moanalua Gardens Foundation got it wrong, but the daughter of Samuel Mills Damon was Mary Mills Damon, not May. I also don't know why family members from the Damon Estate have not corrected it. Anyway, you can see her gravestone at the Oahu Cemetery, along with Douglas and many other family members. https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=108697916

    ReplyDelete