DISCLAIMER: Aloha From 808 is solely created for recreational purposes and NOT intended for use as a guide. Please be responsible and respectful if choosing to visit locations I photograph, as you do so at your own risk and the risk of endangering others. This website and owner will not be liable for injury, medical/legal fees, fines or property damage as a result of viewing. Do not use content on this website without permission (see more).

All photos © 2011-2014 Cory Yap, unless noted.

Pepeopae Trail and Pelekunu Overlook, East Molokai



[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4]


On the second day of our (Baron, Katie, Jenny, Jenelyn, Jennifer, Josh [808 Goonies], Seth and I) Molokai Trip, we made another long off-road drive to Kamakou Preserve in mountains of East Molokai to see the Pepeopae boardwalk trail and Pelekunu overlook.


To access the preserve, we had to drive for several miles on a dirt road which was composed of very fine/dusty red dirt… kicking-up fairly easily when driven over… and hence, why we kept our distance from Baron’s jeep in front of us.


Further up in elevation, the road became less dusty and gets pretty wet as we entered the preserve.


Some hikers chose to walk into the preserve…


however, since we had 4WD vehicles, we were able to drive all the way to the trailhead.


Once on the trail, we were welcomed by a well maintained boardwalk… which kept our feet dry, as well as prevented our feet from trampling native vegetation in the bog.


High densities of native plants are found throughout the entire trail, many of them, which are sensitive to human impact.


There was one area where the thick rainforest canopy opened up to fields of low growing Ohia lehua (Metrosideros sp.) and Uki grass (Machaerina angustifolia)…


Being the natural science majors we are, Josh and I held back our pace to spend some time looking at the less conspicuous critters. I’ve seen succineid “Snot in the hat” snails before on Oahu, but the ones here have a distinctly different color to their shell and body. Hawaiian succineids are often called “snot in the hat” because their bodies are too large to retract/fit into their shell… making it almost vestigial, but I hear they may be called “semi-slugs?” Well, I’ll leave the descriptions and appropriate species identification to the local malacologists, haha.


What looks like a Philonesia sp. and a Partulina sp.?


There were several Megalogrion spp. flying around, but I only was able to take a photo of this red one. I think Josh was able to get a good photo of a black one.


Finally catching up to group, we were not surprised that Pelekunu lookout was socked in by the clouds.


Although waiting long enough allowed us several opportunities to see fragments of Pelekunu Valley below. I guess we’ll have to come back on clear day to get a better view!


For more information about Kamakou, Pepeopae Trail and the Pelekunu Overook and how to visit here, contact The Nature Conservancy.

Aloha and mahalo nui for visiting… Come back again soon!

Questions??? Just Ask!!!


Comment for Pepeopae Trail and Pelekunu Overlook, East Molokai


Baron Yamamoto

Thanks to our friends Nate Yuen, Keahi Kaawa and Ryan Chang for inspiring us to plan this Molokai trip. Special thanks goes to Wailana Moses of the Molokai Nature Conservancy for her dedication to help maintain the fragile ecosystems of Moomomi and the Kamakou Preserves. Her tireless efforts will allow future generations to enjoy both of these great preserves. Thank you, Wailana, for providing us with maps and directions to these great ecosystems. Cory Yap and I would like to thank you in person one day!

Baron Yamamoto

Reply



Wanna say something?









  Cancel Reply



  • Follow Aloha From 808 on Facebook or Instagram for new photos and weekly adventures!!!

  • Adventures

    • Backpacking (29)
    • Beach / Coastal (46)
    • Climbing / Canyoning (15)
    • Conservation / Restor… (11)
    • Fishing / Diving (22)
    • Hiking (149)
    • International (3)
    • Kayaking (11)
    • Mainland US (17)
    • Streams / Waterfalls (61)
    • Uncategorized (12)
  • Recent Posts

    • Canyoneering: Communication Breakdown
      Recently learning how to rappel from my friend Kitt, I was invited to tag along...
    • East Maui Waterfall Marathon Pt 2
      As a reconnaissance for future adventures with a larger group, Baron and I decided...
    • Twin Falls, North Kauai
      One of my colleagues who lives / works up in North Kauai strongly recommended that...
    • Honolulu 27, Waterfall Loop
      The heavy rains from a recent, mild tropical storm made for perfect conditions...
    • Koolau Summit Trail: Manana to Waiahole Uka
      With high clouds and an open summit, traversing the section of the Koolau Summit...
    • Aotearoa - New Zealand, South Island Pt 3
      STAY TUNED for more photos and full description of our New Zealand Adventures!!! Queenstown...
  • See Older Posts

    • November 2014 (1)
    • October 2014 (4)
    • March 2014 (3)
    • January 2014 (1)
    • December 2013 (3)
    • November 2013 (3)
    • October 2013 (3)
    • September 2013 (3)
    • August 2013 (4)
    • July 2013 (3)
    • June 2013 (6)
    • May 2013 (2)
    • April 2013 (5)
    • March 2013 (4)
    • February 2013 (4)
    • January 2013 (5)
    • December 2012 (5)
    • November 2012 (4)
    • October 2012 (6)
    • September 2012 (2)
    • August 2012 (5)
    • July 2012 (5)
    • June 2012 (6)
    • May 2012 (8)
    • April 2012 (4)
    • March 2012 (7)
    • February 2012 (6)
    • January 2012 (9)
    • December 2011 (6)
    • November 2011 (11)
    • October 2011 (8)
    • September 2011 (9)
    • August 2011 (10)
    • July 2011 (12)
    • June 2011 (9)
    • May 2011 (1)