Initially, the plan was Lulumahu to Olympus, but with bad weather that was out. We had to figure out a plan b. Since we all have good knowledge of the area, waterfall options were at the top of the list. The two main options when your in Manoa or Nuuanu is the Manoa Waterfall Tour or Nuuanu Waterfall Tour/or Mo'ole Waterfalls.
This hike would be all OAG's, first time in a while we got 70% out on a hike. I remember when I was in 7D, if 50% of the crew was there, it would be considered a 7D hike.
But first things first. At the Pu'u Pia trailhead near the cemetery were only me, Burs, The Judge, Proo, & E. We texted Ali and Sensei to see if they were willing to hike. Ali was down to hike and it was Sensei's birthday, so with an enticing hike, he would be in. DJ and Janice had commitments, so they couldn't join. Ali and Sensei would meet us at the Lulumahu trailhead at 10:30am to do Mo'ole.
After the plan was set, it was only 7:30am. We decided to get as many waterfalls done in Manoa as humanly possible. E chose the best waterfall in Manoa, Kahuwai'iki falls, a waterfall similar to Lulumahu. The Kahuwai'iki falls write up is here. After the falls and a long chat with hiking icon The Crazy Bastid and crew, we went to the Lulumahu trailhead.
Crossing the Pali Hwy. is hair raising and is one of the hardest parts of the hike. The Mo'ole trail follows an old ditch which sucked out all the water from Mo'ole stream. However with rain, the falls do spill very well, so all is not bad. Last time I was here, was when we did the Puka to Lanihuli hike in probably the most dangerous hike I've ever done next to the Pohakea Pass.
We followed the old ditch for about 45 minutes to a tunnel. The tunnel is awesome,and feels like an adventure of sorts. I didn't go through the tunnel last time, I took the bypass trail because I was lost. After the tunnel is the first waterfall, a small 15-20 falls that spills into a shallow pool. Waterfall 2 was a pain to get to, but it is a beauty, "one of the nicest waterfalls I've seen on Oahu," and it was full today.
We had to backtrack from #2 to a junction and go up the mountain taking a contour trail to waterfall 3. This is a good looking twin tier waterfall. There is a rock at the top where you can have a nice seat and look down at the falling water below. Waterfall 4 looks nice, but doesn't come out in pictures very well.
Waterfall 5 is small and not too great. Waterfall 6 is probably the "best looking" waterfall. The water hits a number of rocks before splashing into the pool. We took a nice group photo there. After waterfall 6 is a vertical climb to 7 aided by plenty of ropes. I decided to stay with Ali at 6, while the rest went up to see 7. After about 20 minutes, they came down and we headed back. There are actually 8 waterfalls. E ask me how was #8 since Dave showed me on the Puka to Lanihuli hike, but I told E I can't remember at all. I think E really wanted to see 8.
On the way back, we went through the tunnel again. Sensei was the last person out, and we decided to sing happy birthday to him. What a place to sing happy birthday. The PHM was going to be at KJ's in Kaneohe. As I tried to drive out, I noticed my wheels kept on spinning, but I wasn't moving. My car was stuck in the mud. The Judge got out and pushed my car out of the mud and we were off. KJ's had some really good food. I had the laulau, but knew it was a mistake once I saw Proo's chicken katsu. After eating laulau at the Waiahole Poi Factory twice in the past 2 weeks, Hawaiian food anywhere else seems subpar.
We talked for a while at the shopping center. It was a good conversation and an end to a great day.