On November 17, 2010, I drove from our apartment on Kalakaua Ave. in Honolulu, Hawai'i, to the front gate of Hawai'i Loa, a private community of high-end homes on a steep foothill of the Ko'olau Mountain Range. I signed a liability waiver, got an entry permit, and drove up to the Hawai'i Loa Ridge trailhead. The climb caused our car's engine to overheat. From the trailhead, I went up and over five hills and then climbed a final, very steep slope to the pali overlooking Waimanalo Town, which is on the other side of the island. The hike was 4.5 miles roundtrip, with a 1,500-foot elevation gain.
These pics are from a tiny-sensor Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 pocket zoom digicam. The tiny sensor explains the blown highlights seen in many of the pics. The photos are best viewed fullscreen. Click on the first pic to enlarge, select "View" > "Enter Full Screen" in the menu above, and use the right/left arrow keys to navigate.
Map of my route to the trailhead.
The Ko'olau pali is the summit ridge line in this satellite view.
Strawberry guavas were abundant along the trail. I ate many!
When I later descended from the pali, I slid down many gullies like this one on my fanny. The mud was damp and very slick.
Left to right, Koko Crater, Hawai'i Kai and Koko Head in the distance.
Diamond Head is center right in the distance in this photo. The hills I had to climb over on the way up are obvious when looking back.
Left to right, the towns of Kaneohe, Kailua and Waimanalo.
Heading back to the trailhead. Down the steep slope on my butt and then up and over five hills!
