1/15–Surfs up baby!

Today is, yes, the North Shore!  We have most of the day planned driving the coastal route from Kailua up to Haleiwa – the center of the Surfin’ North Shore.  The drive itself is about 2 hours with no stops –but we figure it will be more like 4 with all we have planned.

Up and out early – as usual.  Beach walk – great day – sunshine, no clouds and a great trade wind blowing!

Coffee at the market, then back home to clean up, pack and head up north!

On the road, our first stop is Kaneohe for Gilligan’s island!  The original filming site for the 3 hour tour island!  It’s right off the coast – really – how could they not be saved from there????  LOL.  It has buildings on it now, it is now a Hawaii Marine Laboratory Refuge, but it still looks just like the TV show set. Unfortunately there is nowhere to stop on a narrow 2 way lane with construction to boot. So no pictures, but it was totally fun to see!

Back on Kamehameha highway, we start winding our way north through little villages and towns, ranches with cattle and incredible mountain (Mauka) and ocean (Makai) views.  We stop in Waihee for a photo stop at the boat launch.  Incredible!

There is a great long view of “Chinaman’s hat” – which we’ll see closer up later – but it really does look like a Chinaman’s hat from here!

Next up though is the Crouching Lion Inn – not for the Inn (expensive tourist food) but for FineAssChocolates!  Previously known as Donkey Balls, until the original Donkey Balls which is located on the big island obviously had an issue with the name.  Regardless of the name, these are fine chocolate balls!  We stocked up on a variety (with our $5 coupon) and headed up the coast again.

Next stop – Kuoloa State Park for a better view of Chinaman’s Hat. Quite frankly – the view was better from the distance.  But this was a nice little wayside stop with beautiful views of the mountain range.

Onward we go. Navigating the 2 lane Kamehameha highway northward.  It’s twisty and windy, and a great drive, through little teeny outposts and larger towns.  Past the post office, in the same building as a reputably great BBQ joint (but we’re having sushi for lunch and it’s too early anyway!), then through little developments and finally to La’ie, home to BYU (yes, BYU) and an awesome sandstone arch at the point.  It’s really great how all these scenic viewpoints, parks and hiking trails are accessible to everyone. Just dive through an neighborhood – and at the end of the road or a cul-de-sac, there is the trailhead/viewpoint/beach.  Great!

La’ie is a point in case – turn right off the highway (well, 2 lane road that is called a highway), drive up through a nice subdivision, turn right at T intersection, through more homes and dead end at the state park for La’ie.  Can’t imagine what happens when it gets crowded – we’re there with 2 other cars and a small tour van – and parking is pretty well taken up. But it is worth it – incredible scenery and that arch!

 

Off we go again, this time to a sacred Hawaiian temple high up above Waimea Bay.  Pu'u o Mahuka Heiau is the largest heiau (religious site or temple) on O'ahu, covering almost 2 acres. The name is translated as "hill of escape". Ruins of the temple are all that remains, but the peaceful setting and the views from the hilltop are undoubtedly why the temple was called an “escape”.  We wander down the trail, past the rock wall where current day Hawaiians leave offerings to the royal gods. 

The trail narrows as we get closer to the cliffs overlooking the coast. But, intrepid hikers that we are, we continue on!

We’re rewarded with incredible views of Waimea Bay.  It’s an incredible day – and if the power guidelines weren’t there, it would be an even better vista! 

Of course, I’m not happy with just the view from the ground, there is some odd bunker like structure at the top of the ridge, that I must climb.  Yes, Monkey is an apt nick name for me!  But the views to the south are worth the exercise!  Again – even with the dumb guidewires!!!

Heading back to the car, we pass the ubiquitous Hawaiian roosters, then wind our way down to Kamehameha highway and press on to Haleiwa.

Our plan was to stop at the Banzai Pipeline for surfing pictures, then Turtle Beach.  Those plans didn’t materialize, as there was no where to park with in a mile of either beach and the traffic was getting so crazy we gave it up.  Surf’s up baby!

Instead we stopped at Haleiwa park and just soaked up the beach vibes watching the clouds, wind and a little rain come in over the cliffs.  Beautiful.

Time for lunch!  We head to Banzai Sushi Bar, a great little find in Haleiwa marketplace (recommended by Reina, our friend from Asheville, whose best friend’s son owns the place).

We had a a great Poke sampler (we could live on Poke!) and enjoyed Japanese beer and New Zealand wine!  LOL

After walking to the market for local sweet corn (to accompany tonight’s left over steak dinner), we head back to Kailua, taking the overland route. Which allows us to pass the Dole Pineapple plantation (been there, done that) and stop at the royal birthing stones memorial.  This is totally cool.  There is a little pull out at a traffic light where we park and walk into the sacred grounds.  Amazing!  Royals used to come here to give birth. The birth mother would lie atop the stones, in front of 36 chiefs, to have her baby.  Wild. 

The site is in the middle of the range of mountains separating the North from the South island – so you can imagine even the trip up here would be incredible! It is beautiful, and peaceful and serene. But still..

Realistic?  Yeah, well, thankfully just an actress playing a part!  LOL.

Back home, steaks and corn on the barby and a nice relaxing, non-labor-intensive night!

1/14–Makapuu Lighthouse Point

This morning we meet our friends Bob and Dee, early at 7:00, to hike the Makapuu Lighthouse point.  We’ve done this hike before, but never first thing in the morning.  We all figured it would be better early, cooler and breezier, plus we’ll miss the crowds and the heat.

Good choice!  We hit the parking lot and there are plenty of spaces (as opposed to when we come back down when there is nothing to be found in the lot – and people are parking off the road).  We park and begin our long climb up.  1.5 miles up and a 500 foot gain, it’s a great morning workout. And what a spectacular morning!  Fabulously clear!

We hike up, watching the water for Whales. And we were so lucky! We saw two pods off the coast, blow holes, flukes and even a couple of breaches.  Too far for photos, but it was so magical. We stood up top at the lighthouse lookout for an hour just staring out to sea, watching the show.

Looking out to the east, we could see Molokai (not the best photo because it is back lit and cloudy), and to the North, Rabbit Island and the coast of Waimanalo and Kailua.  Gorgeous!

Hiking back down, we head back to Kailua for a well deserved breakfast at Big City Diner.  Portuguese Sausage omelet for Ed (OMG, so good!) and Macadamia Nut pancakes for me (OMG, so bad, but oh so good!!!!). Cinnamon French toast for Dee (I couldn’t even try it, I was so stuffed) and a breakfast combo for Bob.  Yum!  Totally filling – I don’t think we need to eat again all day! 

But of course we do!  Later on – after I napped, and then Ed and I walked our beach walk, we grilled awesome chorizo burgers.  Yeah, so much for not eating! More relaxing and TV watching then bed.  Tomorrow – North Shore!

1/13–Tantalus drive and hikes

Needless to say we were ready to hit the road and the trails on Monday morning!  Did our normal Kailua beach walk and Kalapawai coffee stop - then we donned our hiking gear and headed over to Honolulu to do the Tantalus loop drive.  This is a spectacular twisty, windy road that works its way up and around the cliffs that look down on Honolulu and Waikiki. There are stunning vistas of the city, the beach and Diamond Head.  Sadly, while all the weather services said it would be sunny today, it was a tad overcast and, well, misty. So our pictures aren't all that great. But, heck, the drive and the hikes were worth it even if it doesn't appear that way!

First stop - the look out at the Pu'u Ualaka's State Wayside Park.  Wow!  This is a fabulous place.  If only our pix were as great as we had hoped!

 

Ah well, that’s what happens!  We made our way back down the hill a bit and stuck out on the Ualakaa Trail.   The parking lot alone is awesome. It’s such a jungle!  Cool!

As we hike along, the Fig Trees are totally amazing. Everywhere in the forest – forming arches over the trail.  Sunny loves the trees and wants to climb them all. We have to talk him down from a couple!

The hike took us about 45 minutes and it looped around the top of the ridges, crossing Round Top road twice.  While crossing the second time, we watch a skate boarder flying down the road – this is a twisty, turny, windy 2 lane road through the mountains.  Amazing. This guy was going 30 MPH, minimum.  Just freaky, scary, really!  Wow!

Back in the forest, we were happier with the peaceful, cool and quiet environment!  Beautiful!

Back on the road, we wind our way up,then down the mountain. Passing tons of scenic pullouts. Taking pictures that really didn’t do justice to the view.  Ah well, wait 5 minutes and the weather will change!

Next we head over to Manoa Falls, but unfortunately there is no where to park there any longer. You either have to pay to park at the Treetops buffet restaurant (not!) or park way down the hill and hike up. No again! So, we ditched that and went on around the island to the Kuliouou Valley trail.  It’s a nice little overgrown trail where you park in a cul-de-sac at the end of a Hawaii Kai neighborhood. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s fun, with completely different foliage than up in the mountains. But after a while, the trail sort of closes in and we call it a morning of hiking! 

We head back to Kailua, stopping at Costco for supplies (cheap dry roasted Mac Nuts and chocolate Kona coffee mac nuts – yay!).  Then more supplies at Safeway – and we’re settled for the evening!  Nice day!