June 2012

Olomana is a popular advanced hike in Maunawili, Oahu... Some people hike to the first peak, while others get more adventurous and travel to the summit of the third peak (called Ahiki). However, not many people do it's reverse (coined "Anamolo"), which can be accomplished in a few different ways. Keep in mind, Reverse Olomana is more difficult and dangerous than the conventional forward version of the 3 peaks of Olomana. For this particular route, we (Jason, Eri, Jeremy, Troy, Reanne and I) started our hike at the Maunawili Demonstration/Ditch Trailhead and hiked along the ditch...

[Part 1 - Reconnaissance] [Part 2 - Summiting and Descent] The following documentation describes an unsafe activity and extremely dangerous, NO ONE should attempt to repeat this unless willing to accept consequences such as serious injury and/or death, etc. As I mentioned from the first post about the Kalahaku Teeth, it is the most dangerous hike I have ever done to date. For the most part these reasons include; the absence of a trail or evidence of anyone reaching the summit prior, deeply incised notches, absence of secure footing/handholds, extreme overgrowth, inclement/flashy weather, and the lack...

I used think the Moiliili Karst (underground cavern) was a pristine habitat, isolated from the world above, and a fragile ecosystem. Boy was I never more wrong in my life... even more wrong than the scientists in the movie, "Prometheus" in fact. By the photo above, one might second guess my statements... but if they were with us, I'm sure they'd agree it would rival the "most disgusting thing they've done in their life." The adventure started out 100% "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle" style, in the storm drains below Honolulu... and yes, that meant whatever piles up along nearby gutters...

Bummed about my recent finger injury from rock climbing, I have been quite restless and have somewhat been resorting to less demanding activities like fishing. Not that I don't like fishing, but not having the choice of picking climbing is a real downer. Eric Aoyama, an avid fisherman that I met at the climbing gym had been posting some awesome pics of Omaka (Yellowtail Scad) he had caught on his Facebook/Instagram feed. Naturally jealous, as I had not caught Omaka in FOREVER, I asked if I could tag along on one of his fishing fiascoes... For those of you who are not familiar with the golden...

Another section of the Koolau Summit Trail (KST) that I haven't explored yet, the segment between the Waikane Trail and Waiahole Uka Trail summits, was soon to be completed after a recent invite from Pete Clines. I recently heard that the view from the summit of the Waikane Trail (Puu Kaaumakua) is one of the best views on the island, and was more than excited to hike a section of the KST. After staging a car in Waiahole, we shuttled the crew over to Waikane Valley Road, where we began the long contour trail to the Puu Kaaumakua. The beginning of the Waikane trail was a long 3 mile dirt...

Never hiking anywhere near this section of the Koolau Summit Trail (KST) before, I readily snatched up the opportunity to hike from Pupukea to Laie with Chase Norton and Scott Bowling and do some strawberry guava removal/ Trail re-flagging. Chase had told me that one of the most overgrown sections, and areas one could get lost in on the northern KST, was a section between the Pupukea Trail junction with the KST and the summit of the Malaekahana Trail... The particular section did not appear to be maintained for quite some time and was choked with strawberry guava that could viciously gouge your...