Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HIKE LIKE A LOCAL
To find more hiking trails island-wide, visit the website of the government-
tp://hawaiitrails.ehawaii.gov
). For group hikes, check the calendar published by
Honolulu Weekly
(
www.honoluluweekly.com
)
or with the following organizations:
run hiking club that arranges intermediate to challenging group hikes on weekends
all over the island. Trail descriptions and safety tips available online.
hike adult/child under 14yr $5/1;
) The Hawaii chapter of this nonprofit national or-
ganization leads weekend hikes and other outings around Oʻahu, including volun-
teer opportunities to rebuild trails and combat invasive plants.
Activities
Hiking
Some of Oʻahu's most popular hiking trails lead into the solitudinous forests of the rainy,
windy Koʻolau Range above downtown.
Manoa Falls Trail
HIKING
( ) One of Honolulu's most rewarding short hikes, the 1.6-mile round-trip Manoa Falls
Trail runs above a rocky streambed through lush vegetation. Wild orchids and red ginger
grow near the falls, which drop about 100ft into a small, shallow pool. Falling rocks and
leptospirosis make swimming unsafe, and it's illegal to venture beyond the established
viewing area.
Tall tree trunks lining the often muddy, slippery path include
Eucalyptus robusta
, with
soft, spongy, reddish bark; flowering orange African tulip trees; and other arboreals that
creak like wooden doors in old houses.
Just before reaching Manoa Falls, the inconspicuous
ʻAihualama Trail
branches off
west of a chain-link fence, offering broad views of Manoa Valley starting just a short
way up the path. The trail soon enters a bamboo forest with some massive old banyan
trees, then contours around a ridge and switchbacks up. For a satisfying 5.5-mile round-
trip hike, turn right onto the
Pauoa Flats Trail
, which leads up to the
Nuʻuanu Valley
