OHE July 23, 1999 (Makiki Exercizer)



Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1999 08:09:39 -1000
From: Dayle K. Turner (turner@hawaii.edu>
Subject: Makiki exercizer

Yesterday, I didn't have to be at school until mid-afternoon, so I got a haircut (my 3rd of 4 for 1999) at 8:30 and then motored over to Makiki to do a short workout hike.

The Nature Center was bustling with activity when I arrived there a little past 9:00. Among the throng were a busload of first-graders getting ready for an educational hike and a crew of prisoners weed-whacking grass on the roadside.

After walking past Na Ala Hele headquarters, I hiked up the Kanealole trail, noting that the first couple hundred meters have been graded with crushed bluestone. Thereafter, mud ruled, but armed with two hiking poles, I progressed steadily, moving at my normal pace for the route, perhaps even a notch quicker. As I've noted before, the poles are helpful.

Hiking back to the Nature Center on Kanealole were several small groups of Asian (Korean?) wahines. All were amiable, with hellos and g-mornings exchanged.

From Kanealole, I turned left on the Makiki Valley trail, then right on Nahuina, which switchbacked up to Tantalus Drive. Nahuina is brushy in a few places. Hopefully, inmate crews will be scheduled to clear it at some point soon.

A short walk on Tantalus Drive took me to the ewa trailhead of the Manoa Cliff Trail (now also called Kalawahine). Although muddy, the MCT is wide open with no blowdowns or obstructions. The route circles Tantalus, passing a mapboard junction with an extension of the Pauoa Flats Trail. On the Manoa-facing side of the Cliffs trail, I encountered a few minor blowdowns that required ducking/scrambling to negotiate. Again, mud ruled.

After crossing Round Top Drive, I made the transition from the Cliff trail to the Moleka trail. More muck. The poles continued to serve me well, and I felt a nice burn in my shoulders and arms. Plus, I imagined myself cross-country skiing, adding an element of fun.

Moleka took me to the Makiki Valley trail where I turned right to reach in a couple minutes another mapboard junction, this time with the Ualaka'a and Maunalaha trails. I descended Maunalaha, encountering a Korean couple heading up. A bit further down, I stopped to chat with HTMC member John Darrah (aka Big John), who was lugging a 45-pound pack. Big John said he was making his second Maunalaha ascent of the day. Apparently, instead of hiking long distances during the week, he works out on open trails with a heavy pack.

On I continued down Maunalaha which took me back to my vehicle in the lot next to the Nature Center. Na Ala Hele has constructed a new bridge across Kanealole Stream. When completed, this span will provide direct access to the Kanealole Trail from the NC parking lot. At present, hikers need to walk past NC buildings and a small playground to cross the old bridge.

Normally, my legs and feet are stiff after doing this hike, but the poles (shock absorbtion) and muddy state of the trail (cushioning effect) made for a painless hike in good time.

Hike on,

--DKT


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