Everyone was staring, wondering where we’d been. We were in the lobby of our Waikiki Beach hotel, covered with mud, the only ones not wearing beach wear.
It all started when we just happened to stumble into this random guy at the top of Diamond Head. He was putting together unofficial hikes in Hawaii. He started us thinking more about Hiking in Hawaii. That got us further thinking about expanding our hiking while on vacations and at home. After taking a hike with him, we were energized to take on more and different trails. Here are a couple of smaller ones we did while on vacations in Hawaii in 2004 and 2011.
Manoa Falls Trail
We had just finished with the Kuli’ou’ou Ridge Trail and decided to do another trail. The Manoa Falls Trail, looked like a short fun trail, so we thought that it would be the perfect hike to finish off the day. The trails is about three quarters of a mile to the falls.
Having completed a much harder trail, we were decked out in full hiking gear with trekking poles. Other hikers “greeted” us with snickers, as the head of the trail was solid gravel.
That changed quickly though. Within a quarter mile, the trail went from solid to slightly muddy to fully muddy with boardwalk type walkways that covered some, but not all the mud. Since it had rained a significant amount before we hiked the trail, it was impossible not to get covered with red mud. This is why we were walking through our hotel muddy.
The trail ended at the waterfall and offered the natural beauty of the 150 foot falls in addition to plenty of photo opportunities.
Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail
This is a relatively easy hike that can be traversed even by those with disabilities. The path the lighthouse is paved and relatively smooth. It does incline downhill on the way to the lighthouse, and goes up coming back.
There’s plenty of parking off of Kalanian’ole Highway (SR72) and easy to find.
The views of the coastline throughout the entire walk are as beautiful as you would expect and the trail ends at the lighthouse itself.
The lighthouse can be seen from different perspectives. Unfortunately when we got to the lighthouse, we found the entrance locked.
It appears the trail has been modified since then to allow better access to the lighthouse.
Old Pali Likeke Waterfalls Trail – Under the Highway Trail
This has to be one of the most bizarre trails we’ve ever undertaken. While part of it also unsanctioned, it is not prohibited like the Stairway to Heaven Trail as it is not nearly as dangerous to navigate. You get there by parking at the Nu’uanu Pali Lookout State Park which is off of State Highway 61. Parking is only $3 per car. That not only allows you to go to the lookout, but also hike a full day’s worth of several trails, so it really isn’t that much.
The trail starts by walking up to the Nu-uanu Pali lookout, then following an old paved road to the right. The road used to be the Pali Highway, has been abandoned and is no longer maintained. It used to be the old highway connecting Honolulu to the east coast.
The “trail” leaves the old road and starts to head down the mountain.
After short hike on the trail, you end up at current Highway 61. If you don’t know ahead of time, you might not know to look for the gap underneath the highway.
From there the trail varies between old roads and trail. There’s plenty of nature to be seen throughout trail, party of which is the Likeke Falls (currently closed).
Kaʻena Point Trail (both sides)
When we hiked this trail, there was no way to walk from the parking area on the north side to the parking area on the south side. We think it may have been mating season for the Albatross that inhabit the point. As a result, we ended up hiking both sides from their respective parking areas to the point and back. The parking areas are gravel (dirt/sand), but there was ample parking at both ends. On a weekend that could easily change.
The hike itself should be considered a 1-2 on the difficulty side. It is basically a flat paved path, with some very slight elevation changes. It’s only a little over a mile in each direction from parking lot to point, so all totalled we walked around 5 miles. We started on the north side (upper side of Google picture) and went west to the point first.
It’s completely out in the open and exposed to the south, so wear plenty of sunscreen. The walk is serene and restful, with the waves crashing against the volcanic rock and sand shoreline.
As you get close the point, there is a fence for protection of the park and wildlife.
When you get to the point, you can see in either direction down the coast. The beach wraps around the point, but the point itself is rocks. Listening to the waves crash against the rocks is nature’s realtime sound machine.