Date: 3 Jan 2001
From: Kapa Reero (kapareero@lycos.com)
Subject: Kawainui Campout — New Year's 2000/2001
Tucked away in the boonies, the Kawainui Trail is located in the leeward Ko'olau foothills many miles above the northshore town of Hale'iwa. Regarding Kawainui, Stuart Ball writes:
"The circular pool at the end is the most beautiful one on the island. It is also one of the largest and is great for swimming."*
Prior to New Year's weekend 2000, I had never camped there, so I decided to go for it as a way to escape the noise and smoke of the New Year's fireworks. I decided to hike "over the top" of the Ko'olau Mountain Range, starting the journey in La'ie on Saturday, December 30 at 8:08 a.m.
After tramping approx. 6 miles, I reached the Ko'olau Summit Trail (KST) at 10:27 a.m., dropped my heavy pack and proceeded to the La'ie foxhole to rest and enjoy the terrific vista of Kahuku and the La'ie coastline to windward. At 11:11 a.m. I found myself atop the Kawailoa flat-topped mound (elev. 2,360 ft). Truly, O'ahu's backcountry. I changed into long pants and then at 11:45 a.m. started down the Kawailoa Trail, a graded contour footpath built in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC).
Of Kawailoa, Ball writes:
"Kawailoa is a bear of a hike through extremely wild and rugged terrain. The Kawailoa Ridge Trail receives little or no maintenance... Expect to fall down and get muddy and wet."*
Once I reached Pa'ala'a Uka Pupukea Road at 3:36 p.m., I followed the military road to the junction with Kawailoa Road. I arrived at the Kawainui trailhead at 4:40 p.m. and finally reached the campsite (approx. elev. 945 ft) at 5:45 p.m. After pitching my tent, I proceeded to the large, circular pool to wash off.
Sunday, December 31: Layover Day at Kawainui
Just what the Doctor ordered, a layover day at the Kawainui pool to recover. It was a leisurely morning: slept in til 8:30 a.m. completely clear blue sky overhead as the sunlight slowly made its way onto the surface of the pool. Next, I swam to the other side of the pool and walked upstream to a small waterfall (natural jacuzzi), where I gained pleasure from the therapeutic massaging action.
Monday, January 1, 2001
I hit the trail at 12:15 bound for Kamehameha Hwy on the outskirts of Hale'iwa. I endured a 5-mile gradual downhill semi-paved road walk which was murder on my feet but made less boring by the terrific view of the northshore to Ka'ena Point. When I spotted tall date palms in a ranch, I knew the end was near, reaching a bus stop at 4:15 p.m.
Notes:
- The wooden La'ie Trail sign is missing. Perhaps Mike Algiers can make a replacement.
- The Kawailoa Ridge Trail is still there! We must keep these classic and historic CCC trails alive considering the effort went into building them.
- The Army has repaired the military road leading to Pu'u Kapu.
*Ball, Jr., Stuart M. The Hikers Guide to O'ahu. Honolulu: University Of Hawaii Press, 1993.