Waimanu Valley and Camping – (August 19-21, 2011)



[Part 1] [Part 2] [Photo Gallery] [Mapped Photos]


After a short and sweet victory dance, it was time to get settled in at Campground #2.


Taking off our wet shoes and socks, and putting on slippers was of the highest priority (left). Changing out of our sweaty clothes was almost as critical (right).


Setting up our hammocks, tents and organizing camp was next. When we backpack and camp in a large group, we usually share tents to cut down on the pack weight…. I was surprised to find that Kaleo, Ryan, Lei and Brian all had single-person tents. I guess when you run the risk of bunking with a “snore-a-saurus,” having your own private tent may be a win.


On our way to collect water, we came across a couple, fairly well-kept outhouses on the campgrounds (above left). These were not as revolting as some other outhouses I’ve encountered at other campgrounds, and were a pleasant relief compared to the “dig-squat-bury” method I’m used to while in the elements. There were also four- and FIVE-leaf clovers growing near the outhouse (above right)… how much luckier do you need to be to pick a FIVE-leaf clover???


It is up to you whether you want to disregard this sign or not, as a ~15-20 minute walk will take you to Keawewai Springs for clean water to drink and bathe. Though it may not be apparent at first, just listen for the water splashing out of the mountain… The spring will be just past large Mango and Lauhala Trees on the right-hand-side of the trail.

The water in Waimanu Stream originates far back in the valley (near Waimanu Gap) and joins several smaller streams (e.g., Waihilau, Kakaauki and Waiilikahi) from the Kohala Mountain Range before emptying into the ocean. The wetland area in the valley also has a high residence time, and therefore high in tannins… hence the color of the water. If you hiked Kaau Crater in Palolo Valley on Oahu, you have seen the same example of water from the bog in the crater. Definitely not the best for drinking. If you didn’t notice it in the earlier blog post, you’ll understand when viewing the falls photos further down on this page.


The trail past the “Area Closed” sign and springs above also leads you to Waiilikahi Falls. Definitely a must see while camping in Waimanu Valley.


Waiilikahi Falls is ~ 20 minutes from the springs, and maybe 40 minutes from our campsite (Left). David, Reanne and Me (Right: top row). Justin, Lei, Ryan and Kaleo (Right, bottom row).


You can only see the first tier of the step-falls from the pool at the bottom, as it is ridiculously high. I’m guessing the first one was > 200 ft.


As usual, the Lost Trailblazers had the need to climb something, so Reanne started ascending the falls… and with a little liquid courage I soon followed with the usual “air splits,” but off of something unusually higher. hehe.


After Waiilikahi, we followed a faint line further into the valley. Based on some anecdotes by Nate Rubio (hike-mate of Kaleo and crew), we were trying to find Lahomene Falls, though were not sure how far we had to go to find it.


We ended up swimming and hiking through a short, narrow valley to find the first tier of Kakaauki Falls (Left to Right: Ryan, Lei and Kaleo). Ryan posing next to the falls (right).


I really wished we could have climbed further to see the second and/or third tiers of the step-falls of Kakaauki, but being so remote, safety was paramount. We didn’t have any rope of significant length to tie off once a climber got to the top of the falls anyway… next time (Left to Right: Lei, Ryan, David, Reanne, Kaleo and Justin).


Other than exploring the falls in the valley, the rocky shoreline is definitely a site to see… especially after working up an appetite.


The shoreline is teaming with Opihi (cone-shaped mollusk/limpet), which can be easily collected in the intertidal zone (area exposed and covered by the lowest and highest tides, respectively)(Left: Reanne harvesting). They can either be eaten raw/live or cooked in any number of ways (Right: Opihi cluster).


Despite having very little reef-building corals in the area, there are a number of reef fishes along the shoreline to be served for dinner. Brian was kind enough to share his steamed Hinalea and Poopaa, served with a Fenadine-type sauce (mixture Calamansi, Kikkoman and Hawaiian Chilies) with us. “Bugga’ was plenny kine onolicious l’dat.”


We also had a bunch of Tahitian Prawns which we caught near the falls, earlier that day… I cooked them up with a couple handfuls of Opihi in a mixture of black truffle, olive and vegetable oil and spice rub (dried ancho and cayenne chilies, paprika, hawaiian salt and herbs). Another one to “broke da mout’.”


Since Kaleo and Brian also harvested quite a number of Opihi, we saved some to eat raw with the Calamansi/Shoyu/Chili sauce. It was (bomb)^10… you might have to be at least “a little bit” dork to understand the symbolism, haha.


Other than the feast harvested from the ocean and stream, the Lost Trailblazers brought instant garlic mash and Harami (skirt steak) to cook on the fire and share. Ridonculoose!!! Best pot-luck during a camping trip ever… Hands down. lol.


Besides eating like royalty, we also partied like no other camping trip with the aid of Bacardi 151, Johnny Walker “black,” and a bottle of Jack? WHO does that??? or who even carries those in their pack? We do. apparently.


Despite just about 100% of us being wasted off our glutes… David and I stumbled out to the water to practice our inebriated-nocturnal-landscape-photography.


One of the best scenes I’ve witnessed in a long time… RIGHT BEHIND DAVID GETTING HAMMERED!!! lol. Good to see you all bus’ for once dude. Such an awesome night.


The morning of our departure, it was difficult for us to leave… for more reasons than the obvious.


Until next time Waimanu. Good times with a GREAT crew!!!!


AWESOME Video Courtesy of Justin Ugalino.

Mahalo nui loa to Kaleo, Brian, Ryan and Lei for letting us come along on this epic backpacking trip. Much appreciation also to Mark and Gary Rubio for shuttling us up and down Waipio Valley.

To view this location on a Google Map also known as my “Adventure Map“, Click Here. For more adventures of the Lost Trailblazers, either look at my other blogposts and “Adventures with the Lost Trailblazers” photo gallery. Also make sure to visit Waimanu trip write-ups posted on David’s website, Unreal Hawaii and Kaleo’s Blogspot, Island Trails.