Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ing lot, then follow the signs and walk along the hillside nature path toward the main
trailheads near the Hawaiʻi Nature Center (
Click here
), which organizes family-friendly
hikes and outdoor education programs.
From downtown, take TheBus 15, which runs into Pacific Heights. Get off near the in-
tersection of Mott-Smith Dr and Makiki Heights Dr near the Spalding House art mu-
seum, then walk about 0.5 miles southeast along Makiki Heights Dr to the forest base-
yard. From Waikiki, take TheBus 4 Nuʻuanu to the corner of Wilder Ave and Makiki St,
then walk 0.3 miles northeast up Makiki St, veering left onto Makiki Heights Dr and
walking another 0.4 miles uphill to the baseyard.
Waʻahila Ridge Trail
HIKING
Popular with families, this boulder-strewn trail offers a cool retreat amid Norfolk pines
and endemic plants, with ridgetop views of the city and Waikiki. Rolling up and down a
series of saddles and knobs before reaching a grassy clearing, the 4.8-mile trail covers a
variety of terrain in a short time, making an enjoyable afternoon's walk for novice hikers.
Look for the Na Ala Hele trailhead sign just past the picnic tables deep inside
Waʻahila Ridge State Recreation Area
(
www.hawaiistateparks.org
;
end of Ruth Pl;
7am-7:45pm Apr 1-1st Mon in Sep, to 6:45pm 1st Tue in Sep-Mar 31)
, at the back of the St
Louis Heights subdivision east of Manoa Valley.
By car, follow Waiʻalae Ave east of the university area into the Kaimuki neighbor-
hood, turning left at the stoplight onto St Louis Dr. As you drive uphill, veer left onto
Bertram St, turn left onto Peter St, then left again onto Ruth Pl, which runs west into the
park. From Waikiki, TheBus 14 St Louis Heights stops every hour or two at the intersec-
tion of Peter and Ruth Sts, about 0.5 miles from the trailhead.
MR OBAMA'S NEIGHBORHOOD
US President Barack Obama, who grew up in Makiki Heights, said that 'Hawaii's
spirit of tolerance… became an integral part of my world view, and a basis for the
values I hold most dear'(Punahou Bulletin:1999). He has also said that Hawaii is a
place for him to rest and recharge, and every year he returns to Oʻahu for a family
vacation.
In 1999, Obama said, 'When I'm heading out to a hard day of meetings and nego-
tiations, I let my mind wander back to Sandy Beach, or Manoa Falls… It helps me,
somehow, knowing that such wonderful places exist and [that]…I'll always be able
to return to them'(Punahou Bulletin).
If you want to walk in Obama's footsteps, here are some of his favorite places:
