Date: Fri, 6 Aug 1999 10:51:03 -1000 From: Patrick Rorie (prorie@k12.hi.us> Subject: Waimano Pool... Pau Hana
To my knowledge, prior to yesterday afternoon, I had never done the Waimano Pool hike and was pleasantly surprised at what I found.
Finished work shortly after 4 p.m. and headed west on H-1. Filled the pat-mobile with gas in Pearl City, then drove up Waimano Home Road. Made a left onto Komo Mai Dr. and descended into Waimano Valley. Climbed the next ridge and entered the Pacific Palisades subdivision. Proceeded to the end of the road and parked below the turnaround circle.
After changing into hiking attire inside the pat-mobile, I began walking toward an opening in a fence above the turnaround circle at 5:05 p.m. Although published in 1993, Ball's route description of this hike in "The Hiker's Guide to Oah'u" has not changed and I will not attempt to duplicate it in this post. However, at a key junction ("the base of a small hump in the ridge"*) one must veer right then descend steeply on a side ridge (to the left, the Manana Trail continues all the way to the Ko'olau summit). At another junction further down, go left toward the ribbon. I counted atleast three ropes provided for assistance on the muddy footpath.
Eventually, I reached the left fork of Waimano Stream where I discovered a 25 foot near vertical briskly flowing waterfall. The cascade fed a medium sized upper pool (brown in color). A small waterfall below the upper pool fed a shallow intermediate pool creating jacuzzi action and another small waterfall dumped into a deep lower swimming hole. Available for playful interaction, a rope suspended above the lower pool across the stream beckoned for use but I was not in the mood on this day.
After sitting near the upper pool and staring at the cascade for a while, I continued up the slippery trail until arriving at a point above the falls. A light drizzle started to come down but I paid it no heed. While descending from above the falls I recognized ginger with the red cones. If squeezed, the cone provides a natural shampoo, a perfect compliment to the nearby watersource.
At 6:30 p.m. I reluctantly began the return leg of the hike ascending 600 feet in 1.5 miles to the trailhead. A light rain accompanied me during the final stretch. Entered the pat-mobile at 7:05 p.m. and sped off for home.
Notes: Waimano Pool is a nice addition to the Pau Hana roster. Ball writes "Waimano Pool is a popular hike because of its easy access, short length, and two good-sized swimming holes at the end."*
REFERENCES
* Ball, Jr., Stuart M. THE HIKER'S GUIDE TO O'AHU. Honolulu: University Of Hawaii Press, 1993.
== Paka