Waiakeakua to Konahuanui (K2) – June 3, 2012 

It was a long hike today. Not long as mileage wise, but long as in hours wise. The plan today was to hike up Waiakeakua ridge, summit, and meet up with Merv and the big group he was guiding to Konahuanui.  

It was only Steve and I making our way up Waiakeakua. We started one hour later than Merv’s group because we felt that we would be faster to summit than his group. No matter how you time it, the hike always seems to take a little longer.

Waiakeakua ridge was pioneered by two hikers with the initials BY and CY. I’ve hiked with BY already and it has been a pleasure knowing him. They spent ages trying to pave and clear that ridge; finally a few months ago they pushed through to the top and completed the Waiakeakua trail.

The Waiakeakua trail starts on 7 bridges. Then you go through a forest and towards the back of Manoa, the easternmost valley. The trail abruptly ends and you have to rock hop. Today, the water wasn’t flowing; it has been dry this summer so far. At the back is a 20 foot waterfall. Steve and I have both climbed this waterfall in the past, but the water looked a little stagnant. We found a contour trail that went around the waterfall and to the base of a 50 foot waterfall. Last time, I climbed up 30 feet of this waterfall and it looked a little sketchy, so I went back down. This time it was straight butter. Steve went first and within a minute he got to the top. Now it was my turn. I went up the mountain and did not look back. I got up in about one minute and we continued on, passing a series of small waterfalls before finally hitting the ridge that goes to the summit.

It took us about 2 ½ hours to reach the summit. We were near Olympus (located to the right), but made the left towards Manoa Middle. We saw Merv’s group about 30 minutes ahead a little past Manoa Middle. We tried our best to catch up with them. I was huffing and puffing, but my body was good today and cardio was strong. The views were some of the best I’ve seen on this part of the Ko’olau Summit Ridge. I took a load of pictures. It was exciting. This was the first time I went to Konahuanui on the Ko’olau Ridge. Previously, I’ve been there from Piliwale and the K2 ridge trail.

After nearly 2 hours on the summit ridge, we finally caught up with Merv’s group at K2. I also passed a false peak called K3 which comes up through a crazy ridge from Manoa falls. At K2 was a load of Oahu Weekend Hiker members. I finally got to meet them. The total size crew was 11. We took a nice picture on the summit and chilled out for about 30 minutes before heading down the K2 trail. In about 1 hour, we hit the K2 ridge and contour trail. Marvin and I decided to go on the contour trail, while most of the hikers went on the ridge trail. We eventually met up at the Nuuanu Overlook and continued on the Aihualama trail towards Manoa falls. It was a breeze, but at nearly 9 hours already, I was sort of tired.

We all said our goodbyes and I took Merv and Ahnate home. I finally got to cross of Waiakeakua ridge and the Ko’olau summit ridge to Konahuanui from the east side. It would be good to go up Waiakeakua ridge after a good down pour. The ambiance will feel like Ka’au Crater which is not all that bad.