Streams/Waterfalls

Not only does Hilo have the highest density of people on the Big Island (Hawaii Island), it probably has some of the highest concentrations of waterfalls in the State of Hawaii. As a supplement to our "cave" and "fire" theme on this trip, we were lucky to squeeze in several accessible waterfall hikes into our itinerary, which included: Kauwehu Falls (Upper Wailuku River), Rainbow Falls (Lower Wailuku River) and 16s (Umauma Stream). The longest waterfall hike we went on was to Kauwehu Falls in the upper reaches of Wailuku River, ...which not only had a series of waterfalls, but also...

The last time we were here, we only got to see the left stream fork of Koloa Gulch, which lead Kalo Falls... Therefore, it was only fitting that we (Josh, Katie and I) further explore the gulch and see the waterfall at the end of the right fork (not sure of actual name). Since there was a flash-flood alert later in the evening, we quickly made it in and out of the gulch in 6.5 hours. It had been awhile since I had been here, but it looked like other hikers had recently put up new flagging ribbons at the entry / exit points for the dozens of stream crossings. Since they appeared to be placed...

Originally introduced to Hawaii for food in 1956, it's ironic that most people haven't eaten a Tahitian Prawn (Macrobrachium lar) before. No, these are not the crustaceans you get from the North Shore Shrimp Trucks. The vendors more commonly sell either penaeid "white shrimp (which are marine), and less commonly, a freshwater palaemonid "Giant River Prawn" (M. rosenburgii) that is supposed to have slightly more tail meat than its Tahitian congener. Although not as common on Oahu, there are a number of people that catch them on the outer islands by using baited traps, Hawaiian sling (3-prong),...

Though most of us were exhausted from arduous hike into Blue Hole the day prior, we summoned the energy to drive up to the north shore to hike the Na Pali coastline to Hanakapiai beach and waterfall. Although, I haven't hiked along the Na Pali coast for some time, the hike was still fresh in my memory from when we backpacked it in the Summer 2011. The 2-mile coastal trail to Hanakapiai beach was well kept, and for most of the way, wide enough for two-way hiker traffic. Just before dropping to sea level, this notorious sign warns people of the dangerous undertows and rip-tides, which...

The "Blue Hole" is one of those mystical valley adventures that many of us aspire to hike, but only few dedicated goonies end up making it there. Not the easiest place to get to, it requires a good amount of off-roading through muddy terrain, navigating a mess of faint trails, and miles of rock-hopping. As the main objective for our trip, all parties were required to research and be informed about the hike, so that everyone would be on the same page concerning trail-finding and navigation. In approximately 8 hours of hiking and 1.5 hours of off-roading, we were able to hike to the back of Wailua...

Similar in topography to Sacred Falls, Maakua Gulch is a narrow, canyon-like gulch in Hauula. Though the beginning of the channel is fairly wide, the upper reaches of the stream are considerably incised and endangers hikers with flash-flooding and falling rocks. There are several waterfalls further back in the valley where ascending old weathered ropes may be used to proceed... however, should not be trusted by any means if one's safety is valued. Watching videos and reading others' descriptions of their accounts in Hauula the Lost Trailblazers (Seth, Jenelyn and I) were determined to investigate...

Wailua Falls is an easily accessible 173-foot waterfall located in the "South Fork" of Wailua River, Kauai... and after spending 2 days hiking in Kokee, it was time for the crew (Clayton Childs, Suzette Padden, Jen Castillo, Katie Ersbak, Baron Yamamoto, Josh Serrano [808 Goonies] and I) to get our swim on. There is an unmaintained trail to the pool at the bottom of the falls, near the lookout. ...but it is muddy, slick, and can be fairly dangerous if one is not careful. Baron testing the anchors of some of the weathered ropes tied on the way down (left). Arriving at the pool,...

With an epic adventure on our (Baron Yamamoto, Katie Ersbak, Jenelyn Castillo, Joshua Serrano [808 Goonies], Clayton Childs, Suzette Padden and I) 1st day in Kokee, day 2 was going to have to pretty amazing to impress us. With an early morning off-roading session and hike to the "Sugi Pine" grove and waterfall, followed by a hike on the Pihea/Alakai Swamp Trail... day 2 was pretty close. The Sugi Grove campsite is located < 1 mile down Mohihi-Camp 10 Road, on the right, just after crossing Kawaikoi Stream. Luckily our local connection (Steve) had been here before, otherwise we would have...

One of the most beautiful places I visit for work is Limahuli Valley, located in Haena, North Kauai. As a National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG), the land above Kuhio Highway is managed for its native species and habitat... ...with the exception of the well known "cold pond" roadside. hehe. :) The lowest part of the valley consists of several terraced lo‘i kalo (taro patches) and the Limahuli Gardens, which is open to the public. The land in the mid and upper portions of the watershed, is Limahuli Preserve, where access is restricted. Here, restoration efforts by the NTBG...

Due to the unfortuitous dry weather this weekend, our tubing adventure in Wahiawa got cancelled this past weekend... and thus, we opted to join up with some other hikers in Waianae Valley to do the Waianae Waterworks Trail. The trail was pioneered and is maintained by some residents in Waianae and Makaha Valleys, as well as a few other occasional volunteers. With a crew 25 STRONG, we were lead by Steve Rohrmayr and Gene Witte on a counter-clockwise, 5-mile loop trail throughout the valley. Surprisingly, it was a lot wetter there we had anticipated!!! :) The following words may not exactly...