Hike Schedule • Safety and Ecological Rules

LIKEHIKE gang usually meets on the designated Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in front of Hilo Hattie’s in the Ala Moana Shopping Center. Be sure to check the individual outings for other meeting times and places. Hikers should bring lunch, a canteen of water, and rain gear. Hiking boots are appropriate footwear, but walking shoes are generally okay. We hike to experience the natural environment, so please turn off or mute your cell phone and avoid making casual calls while on the trail.

Hikers joining the group for the first time must call Ed at (808) 455-8193 (before 9:00 p.m. HST) or send e-mail to Ed for information about the hike.

By its very nature, hiking can be hazardous. The hike leaders will point out the major dangers of each trail, but each hiker is responsible for their own well-being and safety. All hikers must read and agree to follow the Safety and Ecological Rules.
 

General Trail Ratings
Easy	2 miles in length or less and has less than 200' elevation gain/loss
Moderate	2 to 4 miles in length or has less than 600' elevation gain/loss
Moderately Difficult	4 to 6 miles in length or has less than 1,000' elevation gain/loss
Difficult	Greater than 6 miles in length or has less than 1,000' elevation gain/loss
Very Difficult	6 to 8 miles in length or has between 1,000' and 1,500' gain/loss
Strenuous	Greater than 8 miles in length or has greater than 1,500' elevation gain/loss

 LikeHike Schedule thru May 2010 

Sunday, March 28
Lower Waimano Valley
Trail Rating:	Elevation Gain:	Total Distance:	Return to Ala Moana:
Moderately Difficult	680 feet	5 miles	Around 3:30
A LikeHike First! This trail starts above Pearl City and follows a gently sloping trail down into Waimano Valley. We will follow the trail up stream to a quiet pool in the stream where we can take a quick swim. The last time we visited this pool was 1992. We will continue following hunters’ primitive trails up stream until we reach Waimano Falls. After lunch and another swim we will head up the opposite ridge. The climb up to the ridgeline is one that serve as our aerobic exercise for the day. We will end our hike above Pacific Palisades and car shuttle back to the trailhead.

Sunday, April 11
Kuolani - Waianui
Trail Rating:	Elevation Gain:	Total Distance:	Return to Ala Moana:
Moderately Difficult	680 feet	5 miles	Around 3:30
A LikeHike First! Although LikeHike has hiked in Waikane Valley in the past, we have never explored this part of the valley. We will follow the trail that winds around the base of the valley for a short ways then link to an old jeep road and trail system that was used to create the Waiahole-Waikane irrigation system. We will follow this route to the irrigation ditch where water exits the system in a torrent over a small waterfalls. We will follow the contouring ditch trail back through the valley and return to the valley floor down an adjacent ridge.

Sunday, April 25
Olomana Ridge
Trail Rating:	Elevation Gain:	Total Distance:	Return to Ala Moana:
Difficult	1,400 feet	2.5 miles	Around 2:30
This relatively short hike to the summit of Mt. Olomana involves a steep climb of 1400 feet. The views from the top are marvelous. But this hike is definitely not for acrophobic hikers. The trail leads up a ridge that in some places is only two feet wide with vertical cliffs of several hundred feet on both sides. The trail is dangerous for those who are not capable hikers, or who lack a good dose of self-confidence. The adventurous will continue on to Puu Ahiki or Olomana’s third peak. Bring at at least two quarts of water and sunscreen.

Sunday, May 9
Kapalama Ridge
Trail Rating:	Elevation Gain:	Total Distance:	Return to Ala Moana:
Very Difficult	1,950 feet	7.5 miles	Around 4:00
This trail is on the ridge above Kamehameha Schools and Alewa Heights. The trail follows the ridge to 2700 foot high Puu Lanianihuli. Great views are seen along the way and at lunch spot on the Koolau Summit. In addition, a number of endemic and introduced plants can be seen along the way including: koa, allspice, coffee, surinam cherry, lilikoi, hala, guava and ohia lehua. The last part of the trail may be overgrown, so zip-on legs or long pants might be a good idea. We will return via an adjacent ridge to make a lollipop loop hike. Bring at least 2 liters of water for this tough hike.

Sunday, May 23
Koloa Gulch
Trail Rating:	Elevation Gain:	Total Distance:	Return to Ala Moana:
Very Difficult	900 feet	6 miles	Around 5:30
This trail leads to the most beautiful waterfalls and pool on Oahu. Located between Hauula and Laie, the trail begins by climbing up a ridge for a mile with an elevation gain of 600 feet. There are great views of Laie, but it can be a tiring climb, especially if it’s hot and sunny. The trail then drops into the gulch and follows the stream up the valley. We pass through old Hawaiian settlement sites and cross the stream 24 times. The third mile is a difficult rock-hopping one. Since there is no trail we walk along the stream. However, the towering cliffs on both sides of the gulch make it a wondrous experience.