Kaunala – May 13, 2012 

Today was Mother’s Day, so it would seem I would celebrate the day with my mom and wife. One problem, both were working all day. I can’t just stay home right? Off it was to hike with the Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club (HTMC) to do the Waimea Valley hike. But the kids woke up late and by the time we got to Waimea; the club was off to do the valley hike. Instead of going home, I changed the plan to do the Kaunala trail. I’ve wanted to do Kaunala since we did Pupukea back in March. I guess today was the day to do it.

From Waimea, we drove up the road and made a right on Pupukea road to the top. I parked in a grassy area, and we walked up the road, past the Boy Scout Camp, over a locked gate, and to Kaunala Junction.

We made the left. Immediately we hit a fork. Going straight was to what I think was the Ehukai trail. I have to do more research, but it looks like it. The Ehukai trail follows a ridge all the way down to Sunset Elementary and Ehukai Beach (a.k.a. Banzai Pipeline). We went right to continue the Kaunala trail. The trail is well graded and contours the mountain going up and down with minor elevation changes. We hit a few tiny streams, it was a pleasant surprise.

We went through some uluhe ferns. It was the kids first time going through ferns. It scratched the hell out of them. I told them to suck it up. It was a small patch, but got into their minds and got them preoccupied.  

We topped out at a dirt road. I was sort of confused. The sign pointed to the dirt road, however there was a trail leading back into the valley. I told the kids to choose. My thought process was that either trail would lead back to the paved road. I preferred the valley, but left that choice up to the kids. Jared chose the dirt road. I asked him if that was the right choice. He felt like it was the right choice. One thing I like about Jared, he is very confident in his choices, which is a sign of leadership.

Off we went on the dirt road going up and up. The kids were tired. It was really hot and the sun beamed down on us. I stopped and put sun tan lotion on the kids. The dirt road kept on going. At this point, Jared started crying because he thought he led us in the wrong direction. Mary felt that Jared led us in the wrong direction and wanted to turn back. I told the kids to stay true. Mary frantic wanted to turn back. Jared kept on crying. In about 30 minutes, we hit the road. The kids were ecstatic. Jared boasted saying he knew we were on the right track. 

After walking on the road for a little bit, we hit the picnic bench. We took a short break and continued on in the hot sun. The road was long, I had flashbacks of my Pupukea birthday hike and how drunk I was, and suffered from a pounding headache the entire hike back to the car. We were walking down the same road and I started getting a headache, probably from the hot sun. This road provides some bad memories. We ended up completing the hike and drove down to Waimea Beach Park. The parking lot was full, so I drove to Ali’i Beach. The kids cooled off on the beach, while I laid on the sand.

After the beach, we drove to my parent’s house and waited for my mom to come home. When she got home, we went to Baskin’s n’ Robbins to get dessert for Mother’s Day. I’d rather celebrate Mother’s Day with my mom and wife, but a hike is a great substitute.