Koko Crater & From Here to Eternity Beach  - December 27, 2013

We did it again! Just like last Monday. One hike plus one beach equals a great day! I guess this is the theme of my vacation. The kids actually seem motivated to do something like this. Joining us today were my two kids Mary and Jared, and Mary’s friend Marissa.

The agenda today was to hike Koko Crater. After the hike, we would get a bite to eat, and then make the drive to the Halona Blowhole, walk down to From Here to Eternity Beach. Then we would finish up with shaved ice at Kokonuts. 

Koko Crater can be intimidating as it's about 1,048 steps to the summit. There is no decline. It’s up and up till you summit. 

We had a late start, plus there was traffic which made the start time at 11:00am. The stairs, like always, were packed with people. Jared led the way, Marissa followed. Poor thing, Mary was struggling. She is not a cardio endurance type of hiker. Jared’s muscles seemed to be primed for hiking. 

I stayed with Mary throughout, as she needed to be prodded up the mountain. It took us about 40 minutes to reach the summit. The kids were so happy. We even went to the lookout. Going down was going to be tricky. It was. The kids' legs were like jello. We needed to take breaks while going down to let their muscles recover.

After the hike, we quickly went to Teddy’s Burgers to grab a bite to eat and headed off to From Here to Eternity Beach where the place was packed. There’s been a lot of interest in this beach, I don’t know why? It is not really private anymore and is overrun with locals and tourists.

The current was rough and I was preoccupied about the kids safety. I was exhausted. To finish our day, we went to Kokonuts. I think every single family hike I did in Hawaii Kai, we ate at Kokonuts as a PHS (Post Hike Snack).