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 March 2012 

Sunday, January 1
Diamond Head Beach
Trail Rating:	Elevation Gain:	Total Distance:	Return to Ala Moana:
Easy	0 feet	2 miles	Around 2:30
Meet at 11:00 a.m. in front of the Waikiki Aquarium for this New Year’s Day hike. We will start off the year with an easy hike and give those who party late into the night a chance to join. We’ll hike along the coast viewing the various luxury beachside residences and hotels. We will continue to the beach below the lighthouse where we will enjoy the sun and beach. The terrain on this hike allows time for socializing and getting to know the other hikers.

Sunday, January 15
Puao Ridge
Trail Rating:	Elevation Gain:	Total Distance:	Return to Ala Moana:
Strenuous	2,400 feet	6 miles	Around 4:00
A LikeHike First! LikeHike has never hiked up this ridge before, but the word on the trails is that it is open to the top of the Koolaus at Puu Puao. We will hike up the ridge as far as the group wants to explore. The ridge is on the north side of Kahana Valley and meets the Koolau Summit Trail between the Pomoho and the Schofield-Waikane Trails. The views of the windward coast are excellent. Expect mud and steep climbs with severe drop-offs on both sides of the ridge. This is not a trail for acrophobic hikers. Bring plenty of water and good raingear.

Sunday, January 29
Kuaokala
Trail Rating:	Elevation Gain:	Total Distance:	Return to Ala Moana:
Moderately Difficult	800 feet	6 miles	Around 5:00
This hike is on the ridge above Kaena Point and the Leeward Coast. What makes this trail easy is that we drive to the ridge line. For the first part of the loop we follow a fire break road. The return is along the ridge above Makua Valley. It’s a great valley used by the military for training. There are terrific views and some interesting endemic plants along the trail. After the hike we may stop for a swim, and enjoy the afternoon sun at our favorite beach near Makua Cave. Because of the restrictions on permits, contact the hike leader to make reservations for participation on this hike. The terrain on this hike, while occasionally difficult, also allows time for socializing and getting to know the other hikers.

Sunday, February 12
Makapuu Point
Trail Rating:	Elevation Gain:	Total Distance:	Return to Ala Moana:
Difficult	600 feet	4 miles	Around 3:30
One of our favorite hikes, Makapuu trail begins at the foot of Makapuu Point and traverses the rocky coast. Several large tidal pools are inviting places to swim and have lunch. We will pass a couple of blowholes not seen from the road, then make the precipitous climb up to the point and great views of the windward coast. Hopefully we will be lucky and spot some whales in the Molokai channel. Be sure to bring sunscreen and plenty of water. This trail involves some rock hopping in addition to the climb, which makes it a little more difficult than most trails of its length and elevation gain. If the ocean conditions prevent us from hiking along the coast, we will hike down to the tide pools and blowholes from the lighthouse road.

Sunday, February 26
Waiau Loop
Trail Rating:	Elevation Gain:	Total Distance:	Return to Ala Moana:
Moderate	800 feet	6 miles	Around 3:30
This is a trail above Pearl City we have only done twice before. It was developed by the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club. It climbs a ridge heading towards the Koolau Summit, but we won’t go all the way. We return via another ridge through a very old eucalyptus grove above Waimano Home Road. We will see some great views of the leeward side and interesting native plants.

Sunday, March 11
Hawaii Loa Ridge
Trail Rating:	Elevation Gain:	Total Distance:	Return to Ala Moana:
Difficult	1,400 feet	5 miles	Around 3:30
Meet at 8:00 a.m. at Kawaikui Beach Park. (The park is opposite Hawaii Loa Ridge and Puuikena Dr., between Aina Haina and Niu Valley). This trail is one that has limited access, so we won’t see hordes of hikers. The trail follows the ridge to the Koolau summit. Since we are starting at the top of a subdivision, the total elevation gain is less than most Koolau summit trails. There is a bit of climbing involved, but the scenery and the cool breezes make the effort worthwhile. There is one short rope-assisted section. Be sure to bring sunscreen and plenty of water. Because we cross private property and need a permit from the land owners, everyone needs to bring a photo ID with them on the day of the hike.