Instead of carving pumpkins or going trick or treating, we hiked the Kuli’ou’ou Ridge Trail and Pu’u O Kona on Halloween Day. At least we got treated to stunning views and not tricked into getting lost! After parking at the end of Kala’au Place in Kuli’ou’ou, we started off by signing our names in the log that kept’s in the mailbox at the beginning of the hike. In case you get lost, that way they know what hapless folks they will be looking for!
Trail Marker
The beginining of the trail consists of a lot of switchbacks as you start climbing the ridge. Early on in the hike, make sure you follow the trail marker and take the right going up the trail. If you proceed straight ahead, you will walk into Kuliouou Valley instead of Kuliouou Ridge. Or you can go straight and then double back for that bonus hike!
Kuliouou Valley
Looking back into Kuli’ou’ou Valley as we start gaining elevation going up the ridge.
Picnic Shelter
Approximately half-way up the trail, there is this covered picnic shelter where we took a quick break and saw this older couple just whiz past by! And we thought we were going to be the first ones at the top!
Tree Doorway
Going up the trail, we ran across this formation of trees that resembled a doorway of sorts. Knock, knock!
Koko Crater and Koko Head
Looking back at Koko Crater, Kuapa Pond, and Koko Head. Kuapa Pond was at one time the largest fish pond on Oahu, until urban development shrank the pond to it’s current size.
Stairs to the top
More stairs, similiar to the ones on the Hawaii Loa Ridge hike. Probably put in place by the same menehune trailblazers.
Top of the summit
The top of the Ko’olau summit at 2,080 feet. As you can see, it’s basically an eroded hill, with views of Mokapu Peninsula, Mokulua Islands and Waimanalo beneath you.
Looking towards Manana Island
The view towards Manana or Rabbit Island.
Looking back at the summit
There is a sign at the top of the summit that announces the end of the trail and implores you to turn back. We decided to forge ahead to the ridge to Pu’u o Kona. Besides, it was getting chilly and we needed some adrenaline to keep us warm.
Clouds rolling in
I think the cool part about ridge hiking, besides the fantastic views are the clouds that roll in and out. One moment, you are walking in dazzling sunshine, the next, you are enveloped in clouds.
Landslide
Here part of the trail got eroded away by a landslide. All I can say, is that I’m glad we weren’t on the trail when it decided to give way!
Olomana
As we made our way to Pu’u o Kona, the clouds cooperated and cleared up, so we could take in more of the windward view as it stretches towards Olomana.
Pu'u o Kona
The summit of Pu’u o Kona at 2,200 feet. No signs to announce your arrival.
The trail home
Heading back down towards the valley. Knees started to get a little wobbly, maybe that’s where the Hawaiian meaning for Kuli’ou’ou came from, Sound of the Knee. We hiked the ridge that circled around Kuli’ou’ou Valley, which made it more interesting than just going back the same way. I think the way back down was harder than coming up, as there are more narrow ridgelines and steep areas you have to climb down with the assistance of ropes.
Kuli’ou’ou Ridge
Kala’au Place
Honolulu, HI 96821
Duration: 7 miles, 4-5 hours
Open: 24/7
Cost: Free
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hello there… you said as you came back a different way so how did you do that? And how hard is the ridge to get to Pu’u Kona?
Thanks
Aloha Pico,
We went straight to the top and where the sign says to turn back, just go left and follow the ridge. You just follow it as it will loop around Kuliouou Valley. You can’t miss it. I would say the ridge is moderately difficult as there are some sections that are steep and eroded. Just be careful and watch your step, have fun!