I hadn’t ridden in the back of a pickup since I was a teenager. Yet there I was, one sunny afternoon, bracing against the wheel well and wondering just how long it would take to get to our destination. We nervously joked with each other about someone falling out though I’m sure the tailgate was quite secure.
We were staying in Waianae, so it was only a few minutes until we reached the trailhead at the end of Mai’u’u Road in Makaha. We slathered on sunscreen since it was already past noon, and then we hit the trail. Our goal? The top of Kamaile’unu Ridge.
Oahu is blessed with dozens of hiking trails. If you haven’t wandered away from the beautiful beaches, then you’ve missed most of the island’s scenic views. I will say, however, that Kamaile’unu Ridge is not for the faint of heart. To begin with, the trailhead starts in Makaha. This is as far away from the tourist-laden streets of Waikiki as one can get. Drive west until the highway ends, then keep driving. Past the country club existence of Ko Olina. Past well-known sites like Electric Beach and Pokai Bay. Finally you’ll come to Mai’u’u Road. Then you’ll start climbing.
And climbing. This trail gains over 3,000 feet before you reach the end. Just follow the pink markers and you’ll have no trouble finding your way. I can’t promise you won’t have trouble catching your breath.
In the end, we didn’t reach the summit. That would have taken six or seven hours. We only had four. But we climbed high enough to enjoy the views of Pokai Bay and the Makaha Valley. And we definitely got a workout.
If you like hiking on Oahu, you need to pick up Stuart Ball’s book The Hiker’s Guide to Oahu. This is the most comprehensive guide to the island’s trails, with detailed descriptions of routes and the scenery along the way.
What about you? What’s your favorite hike?
