Koko Head - Revisited

On Thursday, I went for an early morning hike at Koko Head.  I woke up early to hike at 7 a.m. and it was completely worth it!

The first time I went to Koko Head, I nearly died.  It was hot outside with the glaring sun in my face.  I could barely hike and needed to take constant breaks.  I also noticed a ton of people resting on the side of the path because they were out of shape.   I was one of them!

After hiking at Koko Head for the first time, it was much easier to return and hike again though.  I had been working out and it made a difference.  However, my poor friend who came with me to Koko Head nearly died.  She stopped 1/4 of the way because she felt dizzy and wanted to faint. The first time is always the hardest!

This time, however, Koko Head was a worthwhile challenge.  The sun wasn't beaming yet and there was a slight breeze, which helped make the hike that much more enjoyable.  There were hardly any people around too!

I thought the hike was much easier than times before, but I still struggle with one part of the hike. I'm afraid of heights and there is one section of the hike where there is no ground below you.  It isn't too high up, but enough for someone like me to want to crawl with my hands and feet to get through it.  Next time, I'll have to take the alternate path to avoid it, which is supposedly to the right of the trail.

It felt wonderful to finally finish hiking Koko Head.  My legs were shaky afterward because of the strenuous activity, but I felt recharged.

If you plan to go to Koko Head, I would recommend an early morning or late afternoon visit.  Also, do not forget to wear sunscreen.

Manoa Falls - Manoa, Hawaii

I'm attempting to hike at least 10 new trails and I've finally completed my fourth at Manoa Falls! For those of you unfamiliar with Manoa Falls, it is considered an easy 1 1/2 mile hike located at the end of Manoa Road, next to Lyon Arboretum.  

I haven't been to Manoa Falls for years, so I wondered how it would be this time.  I looked online to see reviews and I did hear a few complaints about mosquitoes, mud, and a dried up waterfall.  However, I was lucky because I didn't experience any of those things!  The worst I encountered was $5.00 parking.

Manoa Falls is a great hike.  It feels as if you are hiking in a rain forest.  It is in a much quieter area too, so it adds a peacefulness to one's surroundings.  It is also an easy hike and does not require a ton of physical ability, but it may not be for everyone since there are some areas where you have to climb over some rocks. Also, I would not recommend you hike at Manoa Falls when it is raining because it could be dangerous.  It is best to hike Manoa Falls when it is hot and sunny outside.

I do recommend this hike and rate it as being quite easy, but it does have some challenging aspects to it. Hopefully, some of the photos will give you a better idea about Manoa Falls, so you can decide if this is the right hike for you.

After finishing the hike, enjoy the serene environment.  Just be careful hiking back because the mud can be slippery in some spots!

Whale Watching at Makapu'u

Although my goal is to hike 10 unique trails in Hawaii for my 101 in 1001 list, I somehow always end up returning to Makapu'u.  Yes, I know, I know.  I said I would hike other trails, but Makapu'u somehow calls my name and I end up returning, over and over again.

During the week, I went back to Makapu'u - again.  It has been the third time I have returned since the semester.  The last time, I jogged up Makapu'u to increase my running stamina, but this time I only strolled since I had a backpack with me.  My two friends, K and V went on the hike with me.  V is from Indonesia and it was her first time hiking Makapu'u, so we stopped to take many photos.

 I thought Makapu'u would be great for her because it is not a tough hike.  It is like walking on a road with an incline. 
Of course, this hike can be made more challenging, if you go up the ridge of the mountain like I did several years ago.  But I would not recommend it.  The road path is just fine!

At Makapu'u, I always encounter something new and unexpected.  I guess that is one reason I also love to be outdoors.  You never know what you will encounter.  You might be wondering, "What was so different about this hike?"  Well, I had a chance to see whales!  Not just one whale, but several! 

It was amazing and beautiful to see the whales.  I only wish I could have captured it on film.  But those whales are far too fast, or should I say too slow? It takes forever for whales to appear, but when you finally see one, they quickly disappear. 
Although I did not get a chance to capture whales on film (yet), I still saw an incredible view!  It is the main reason why I continue to return to the area.  If I lived closer, I would be here all the time.

I also saw several men on gliders while at Makapu'u.  I do not know if I would ever try gliding, but it was amazing how close they were to the ridge and how they could glide perfectly into the sky without anything other than the wind.

Makapu'u is a great hike, especially for beginners.  It is easy and does not take much effort.  If you are trying to get into shape and want to include more hiking into your fitness regime, why not start with Makapu'u?

A Grueling Hike up Koko Head - Hawaii

Hike #1 of 10 for my 101 in 1001 list...

After leaving the photowalk on the North Shore, I tackled the grueling hike up Koko Head afterward.  At around 4:30 p.m., I hiked and did not return until nearly two hours later. 

My friend mentioned that it can take up to half an hour or up to two hours, depending on your physical fitness level.  Honestly, I am not that out of shape, but this hike made me realize I am.  I will have to continue hiking this and other trails to build my endurance. 

I still have no idea how people can run up and down Koko Head and to hear that someone actually made it in 15 minutes - running - is unbelievable.  I struggled immensely as I hiked the steep, old rail road path in the hot sun.  I'm still amazed that children were hiking Koko Head too!  My mouth dropped, as I saw a 5 year old at the summit, as well as several other young chidren. As I was hiking, I remember thinking to myself, "I don't think this hike would be suitable for children," as I reluctantly climbed one section of the path.  I guess I was wrong.

There is one section of the path that is above ground.  I'm skinny, so if I was to fall, I could slip right between the rail road tracks and hit the ground below!  That's what I thought as I carefully hiked the area. I'm also scared of heights, so I had to use all four of my limbs to hike this particular section of the path, knowing that I would have a better chance of not falling if I held on to the rail road tracks as I climbed.  How in the world does anyone run Koko Head, especially on this path!?  I still haven't figured it out, but I'm completely amazed by it.  (For those of you who feel you will not be able to make it past the part of the hike I mentioned, there is an alternate path).

You wouldn't want to fall through these cracks ...

Thankfully, after passing the difficult part of the path, the rest of the train tracks were on the ground.  But the climb becomes steeper as you head towards the summit.  As you hike towards the top of Koko Head, you'll notice more and more hikers hanging out on the side of the path, taking breaks to catch their breath. 

After hitting the summit, however, it's the most exhilirating feeling in the world! Sit down, relax, and take in the view.  The wind feels incredible. It's nice and cool.  It's the perfect place to reward yourself after a tough hike.

The view is unbelievably incredible and worth every step to the top.  Not only will you get a glimpse into Koko Head Crater, but there's a 360 view of the surrounding area to include Hanauma Bay, Makapu'u, and more.

After taking the time to relax a top Koko Head, we finally hiked down the trail, which I thought was ten times easier!  However, I was getting a little nervous as a friend kept on slipping on the path behind me.  I didn't want him to get hurt, especially because it would be a terrifying fall.  But luckily, we made it down rather quickly and safely, although not as fast as the older woman running down the path! 

It was such a relief to have finished the hike.  My legs felt like jello as they wobbled after the hike, while I could tell I was extremely dehyrated from hiking in the sun.  In fact, I felt like hurling, as I asked the lady at the gas station if she had re-hydration packets for me to pour into my gatorade.  She instead offered a free Krispy Creme donut because she thought that something sweet would make me feel better since no rehydration packets were available.  Isn't that so sweet?

My advice to you is to make sure you are hydrated before you hike and to bring a lot of water with you a long the way! Learn from my experience or you'll truly suffer the consequences up until the next day. And let me tell you, it is one of the worst feelings ever to have a pounding headache, chills, and nausea as you try your best to rest, while waking up periodically with blurry vision.  You'll want to sleep endlessly and will wake up with an unrelentless headache until the next day.  Trust me.  Drink a lot of water!

The hike to Koko Head was a lot of fun and totally worth it.  The view was beautiful.  In fact, it was so beautiful that I want to make a copy of the aerial photos I took a top Koko Head to put into a picture frame or to hang on the wall as a memory.  I had an incredible time and I plan to return again.  It will test my endurance and push me to my limits.  Maybe one day, I'll be able to hike a little faster too.  An accomplishment I look forward to ... From what I hear, the more you hike Koko Head, the easier it gets!  Eventually, you may want to run it!

If you plan to hike Koko Head, bring a camera too!  It will be an incredible hike, so have fun and enjoy the moment.

Chinaman's Hat - Hawaii

There are times when you want to take a drive and relax.  Yesterday, I had one of those days, where I wanted to get out of the house and have a fresh breathe of air.  One of the places I stopped at was Chinaman's Hat at the Kualoa Regional Park. 

It was raining outside, as clouds hovered over the Koolau mountains, while gray clouds added to the gloomy weather.  But regardless of the weather, it was still a beautiful drive. I'm glad I stopped to take in the breathtaking view.

Although it's name is Mokolii, locals refer to it as "Chinaman's Hat," because of the way it looks. Don't you think it looks like a peasant's hat from rural China?

If you call it Mokolii, I am sure most people here would have no clue what you were talking about it, so it's safer to ask "Where's Chinaman's Hat?" if you plan to visit and are unsure of where to go. 

You can take beautiful pictures of the area and enjoy the scenery.  People also camp and picnic here.  Also, if you are more on the adventerous side, you can actually reach Chinaman's Hat by paddling or kayaking, although  I wouldn't recommend swimming around the island!  From what I here, there are hammerhead sharks in the area that may scare you, even if they are considered harmless. 

Once you reach Chinaman's Hat, you might discover a lot of interesting things, including an incredible view if decide to hike the island. I have yet to reach Chinaman's Hat, but maybe one day I will with a group of friends who would like to also go there, although it seems a bit scary. There's so much legend and mystery behind Chinaman's Hat, it seems. I don't know anyone who has hiked Chinaman's Hat yet, but I know there are people out there who probably already have. I just haven't found them!
If you decide to hike Chinaman's Hat, just be sure to keep track of the tide and don't mess with any of the nesting animals!

If you decide not to venture to Chinaman's Hat, you can swim at the beach in year-round calm waters instead and enjoy the view of the island from a far. 

For now, I think I will just stick to the view and enjoy the scenery at the park.  It's beautiful and relaxing.  If I was to plan a wedding for myself, I would consider this spot because of the incredible scenic view.  Imagine the view during the summertime?

I added a link below for those who may be interested in knowing more about Chinaman's Hat from to-Hawaii.com

Chinaman's Hat

Diamond Head Crater - Hawaii

I love hiking and there's nothing better than a great view!

On Sunday, my friend and I hiked Diamond head. It's a short hike up the crater. It takes approximately 2 hours to go up and down the crater. The hike is definitely worth every step once you see the view!

It costs $5.00 for a vehicle to enter and only a $1 for walk-in hikers.



The begining of the hike is easy. It's on a paved, concrete path. Remember to use the restroom prior to hiking the trail because it's the only restroom at the park!



The hike slowly begins to get a little rocky as you walk...



Watch out for falling rocks!



Can you see the trail with all the people? It's the same trail the military once used.



The stairs were a tough climb! They can be quite steep. For those fearful of heights, you might not want to look back.





It can be dark in the tunnel, but lighting is available.



It can get quite tight in the spiral stair case!



Once you climb out, you'll see a spectacular view!



It's an awesome feeling to finally reach the top.









Before leaving the park, pick up a drink, fresh pineapple, shave ice, or other food items. You will definitely need to hydrate.



Diamond Head is a great place to hike, especially for beginners! It's fun, low-cost, and you'll leave with incredible images of the island.