Directions:: The trail starts at the posted Na Ala Hele trailhead signs,
to the left side of the Hawaii Loa (Board of Water Supply) water tank, at the
top end of Paka Nahele. Paka Nahele is the exclusive-use park at the top end of
Puu Ikena Drive above the private Hawaii Loa Ridge residential subdivision.
Accessing the Trail:
Since you need to cross through the private, luxury community to get to the
trailhead, you need to gain permission from the Hawaii Loa Resident Association
at the security check point along Puu Ikena Drive. All that is required is a
form of Hawaii State identification (i.e. Hawaii driver's license) and each
person in your party signing the association's waiver of liability. Only one
person is required to have and present the Hawaii ID - the others in the party
do not need to be residents of Hawaii. In other words: someone in your party
must be a Hawaii resident to hike this trail.
A heads-up for first-timers in the area: if approaching from Honolulu, you need
to make a right turn (toward the beach, not toward the mountains) to get onto
the Puu Ikena Drive turnabout. There is no left turn onto Puu Ikena Drive from
Kalanianaole Hwy.
Trail Information:: Description:
This ungraded trail rollercoasters Hawaii Loa Ridge to the crest of the Koolaus.
While the vegetation is relatively unimpressive compared to other Koolau ridges,
there are a few native trees and birds which call this section of forest home.
As a compromise, the vegetation isn't thick enough to hinder either navigating
the ridge or hiking the trail.
What to Expect:
The first 25% of the trail travels along a relatively wide, hill-like terrain
over a path which ranges from dry, sandy dirt to sturdy rock.
The ridge's rollercoastering is not too bad and there are no drastic
hand-over-hand climbs during the first 80% of the trail. While there aren't
sharp-angled ascents during this section, there are a few short climbs/descents
which will give novices a run for their money (e.g. heavy breathing, pounding
heartbeats).
While the vegetation on this trail is not sparse, there is a lack of tall,
overhead canopy. Thus, much of this trail is exposed to the sun save a small
stand of pine trees toward the beginning and a respectable, dark section of tall
guavas on the "mossy knob". Expect to be sunburn-prone during sunny
days but don't be surprised how quickly the trail can get slippery during rainy
days.
The final climb, or last 20% of the trail, is very eroded and you can see this
exposed-mud (reddish in color) portion of the trail from as far away as the
trailhead. The good news, however, is that there are multiple sections of steps
built into mountainside. In fact, Na Ala Hele did a fabulous job installing the
countless number of steps to stabilize this steep, eroded section. Despite the
steps, the occasional rope, and the fact that this section is not very narrow,
the steepness and exposed feel of this final climb/return-descent may make those
who are scared of heights a bit nervous.
Dave