Iliahi – April 21, 2013

I’ve never done this hike before! It should have been a hike I did a while back, but since there are so many trails on this island of Oahu, it slipped through the cracks. The showcase of this hike is Manana Valley and Iliahi (sandalwood) trees.

I joined the Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club (HTMC) as Nate Yuen would be the coordinator and lead us on Iliahi ridge. The plan today was to start on Manana, veer off to the left at a power line, go down into the valley, cross the stream, and then come up a steep hill to join Iliahi ridge. From there, we would continue up the ridge encountering many Iliahi plants before hitting a lunch spot, then go down back into the valley, crossing the stream, and up a hill to rejoin Manana. The total distance of this hike is 6+ miles.

We had fun talking stories and making funny remarks as we headed down into the valley. The climb up the hill was brutal and I was huffing and puffing. The heat was coming out and I started to sweat profusely. As we started Iliahi ridge, Nate found the first Iliahi plant and provided some history. We would encounter more plants along the way along the sometimes rolling ridge.  After a few hours, we hit the break spot which is labeled by three ribbons. We took a long break, I was sort of tired already. E led the charge on the return trek of the loop. Manana looked so close, but didn’t feel like it. After about 25 minutes of huffing and puffing, we finally hit a helipad and waited for everyone else. Then we hiked the 1+ mile back to the trailhead.

This trail is a forest hike, although the ridge is mostly exposed creating an uncomfortable heat experience. Plus with no summit and waterfall, it can turn hikers off. If you have good company, which we had today, and a love for native plants, this hike would be worthwhile. If you want to continue reading, read the following section describing the Iliahi plant and its impact on Hawaii history.

History of the Sandalwood Trade

In the 1800s the Sandalwood trade between China and Hawaii exploded creating major problems in Hawaiian culture. Sandalwood was always prevalent in China. The Chinese used it for furniture, chests, cosmetics, incense, medicines, and perfumes. Most sandalwood during that time was imported from India, however sandalwood supply was running low and prices were high. An explorer who may have visited the Hawaiian Islands and  may have travelled to China created a buzz about a huge supply of sandalwood trees within the Hawaiian Islands. What ensued was a massive trade of sandalwood between China and Hawaii. King Kamehameha I controlled the trade for a while, pretty much having the monopoly and keeping the money using it for whatever he needed. However, after he died, it was every Ali’i chief for himself and the sandalwood trade boomed. Ali’i chiefs would send people into the forest and tell them not to come back until they brought back their quota of sandalwood trees. Some commoners would die of famine if they did not bring back their quota. Because of major greed and harsh treatment of the people, there was a huge uproar from the commoners. They would pull the trees out from the roots, killing it, just so their children wouldn’t have to go through so much pain when they got older. Eventually, the sandalwood trees would soon be depleted from the forest and coastal regions. The trade eventually died and after many years, the sandalwood trees would make a comeback and soon flourish again in the Hawaiian Islands.