Aloha to Koko Crater, Fishing Shrine, and Halona Beach

Five days and counting 'til we fly away from Paradise.  With Tropical Storm Flossie churning towards Hawaii, my kids and I piled into the car for one last coastal drive around the Gathering Place.  

First stop - Koko Crater Trail.  From Discover Hawaii Tours (link),

A relatively short hike, the Koko Crater Trail is only about 1.5 miles (from parking lot to the summit), but increases in elevation by 1,200 feet! This hike is challenging due to the sharp incline, but the views at the top are well worth the effort; you’ll get a breathtaking 360 degree view of east O’ahu. 

The railroad ties that make up the stairs for the trail were once part of an incline tram system during World War II, which was used to haul military personnel and supplies to the top of Koko Crater. This area was a part of the Koko Crater Air Force Station. 

We hiked half a mile, took this picture of the Pacific Ocean, and walked down.  It was steeper than it looked and hotter than expected. 

Other hikers had fun with their worn out shoes!

Koko Crater generated the lava to create Koko Head ....

... home of Hanauma Bay (link) where tourists flock to snorkel over the coral reef.   The parking lot was full ... so we continued along the coastal road.

Next stop - the Japanese fishing shrine overlooking Halona Beach.

Locals use the shrine to bless their fishing on the lava shelf below ... 

The lava shelf wraps around the coastal cliff, leading to Halona Beach .... 

... made famous by Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in FROM HERE TO ETERNITY.

Beyond the beach is the Halona Blowhole with its own overlook.  Oh, I will miss these sights!

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

View of Diamond Head from the Koko Crater Trail

Aloha to the Ka Iwi State Scenic Shoreline

We woke early Saturday morning for hike up the Ka Iwi State Scenic Shoreline.  From the Hawaii State Parks website (link),

A 1-mile hike (one-way) along a paved roadway leads to a lookout atop a headland above the historic Makapu'u lighthouse.  At various points along the route there are sweeping views of the southeastern O'ahu coastline, and migrating humpback whales may be visible during whale season.  

Southbound we see Koko Head (middle distance) and Hanauma Bay (right inlet). 

The first pu'u (hill) reveals ...

... a World War II pillbox.

In fact, we found more pillboxes along the trail.

We passed this runner on the road, who then lapsed us running up the trail ... and back down ... all the way backwards.

The trail cuts above the Makapu'u Lighthouse.  From Lighthouse Friends (link),

According to Hawaiian legend, Makapu`u was a supernatural being who, after arriving from Tahiti, took up residence on the point now bearing her name. This being's defining feature was her set of eight bright eyes, which is reflected in her name Makapu`u, Hawaiian for bulging eye. On October 1, 1909, the light from another bright, bulging eye was seen on the rocky point of Makapu`u as the giant lens in the Makapu`u lighthouse was illuminated for the first time. 

This memorial remembers the PBY-5A crew who crashed in foul weather.

The trail head gave us jaw dropping views of the bay ...

... Kāohikaipu Island (left, forward) and Mānana Island (right) ...

... and the Marine Corps Base Kaneohe on the the Mokapu Peninsula (shaped like a honu - turtle).

The view looking down was equally inspiring ...

.... including the Mokapu'u Lighthouse.

We noticed several "locks" attached to the overlook.  We believe they were placed by newlyweds, making a commitment to their future together.

A few brave tourists climbed up to and on top of the pillboxes along the ridge ...

.... while we walked back to the shoreline.

The sun casts a shadow at the foot of the Koko Crater ...

... inside the crater, the  City of Honolulu is cultivating a botanical garden at this link.  More adventurous tourists hike up the left side of Koko Crater, along the former railroad tracks that served a ridgeline pillbox.  Here's a link to a local's perspective of the trail.   The trail was featured on H50 Season Two in which Steve just ran up it!

In the distance, we spot an unusual rock formation (lower left) ... 

... that looks like a tiki statue!  Every angle offered a beautiful view!

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii