OHE October 19, 1997

From: "Dayle K. Turner" (turner@hawaii.edu)

Went up Manana yesterday (10/18 Sat) to stage water for next weekend's Kipapa to Manana adventure. By chance I met a friend, Nathan Yuen, at the trailhead. He hiked with me to the summit and filed the following report on the USENET newsgroup soc.culture.hawaii. Thanks, Nathan. Saved me a write-up.

BTW, for those who are interested in such things, the door to door time on the hike was 7 hours, 15 minutes (start at 8:15, out at 3:30).

For my hiking comrades, I left a gallon of H20 at the Manana summit and another half gallon at the helipad, which is approximately at the halfway point. Good luck finding these, Paka-lolo!!

--Dayle


---------- Begin forwarded message ----------
Date: 19 Oct 1997 21:05:01 GMT
From: Nathan Yuen 
Newsgroups: soc.culture.hawaii
Subject: Ko'olau Summit From Manana

Hiked to the summit of the Ko'olaus for the very first time yesterday. Having no hiking partner for the day, this Dayle-wannabe-in-training was determined to increase his hiking stamina and acumen on the trail, and was prepated to trek alone. But... guess who I serendipitously bumped into at the beginning of the Manana Trail above Pacific Palisades in Pearl City? None of the than Dayle Turner himself! Dayle said he was preparing for a two day mother-of-all-hikes next week that would start at Kipapa Gulch in Mililani and end at Manana. In order to prepare for the possibility that water would not be available along the trail, Dayle was leaving water at strategic points along the Ko'olau Summit and Manana Trail. Needless to say, I was just tickled to be able tag along with Dayle.

The Manana Trail is an ungraded trail that follows the contours of the Manana Ridge. Reaching the Ko'olau Summit at an elevation of 2600 feet, the trail starts-off at an elevation of 800 feet through lovely rolling hills covered in uluhe ferns. Offering spectacular views of the Waianae Mountains and the Central O'ahu, many beautiful and interesting plants grow along the trail such as koa, sandalwood, and paperbark trees, and naupaka kuahiwi, ko'oko'olau, and 'uki'uki grass.

After passing a little shelter along the trail and a helipad, the trail becomes more challenging as saddleback ridges punctuate the ridge with increasing frequency and difficulty requiring us to climb up-and-down them over-and-over again. Climbing higher and higher into the moutains, ohia lehua trees became common along the trail, some of which were covered with the 'ie'ie and maile vines.

As we began to the last stretch leading to the summit of the Ko'olau's, we reached several points along the trail with sheer drop-offs on either side of the ridge. Perched pariously on the apex of the ridge, we could see stout loulu palms trees growing admists large patches of uluhe and pala'a ferns. Much to our disappointment however, the clouds began to descend around us in a dense fog-like mist obscuring our view.

When we finally reached the top of the Ko'olaus, a strong breeze greeted us. Of course, we were a bit disppointed because the low-hanging clouds completely obscured our view of Waihee Valley some 2600 feet below us. We were, however, given a brief glimpse for no more than a minute when the clouds somewhat dissipated. What a wonderful sight to see the beautiful shades of blue of the ocean. We could see many sand bars off in the distance and the fishponds of Kahalu'u.

Given how cold it was at the summit, we ate our lunches quickly and began the long tiresome trek back. I had a wonderful time hiking to the summit of the Ko'olaus. With such beautiful scenery, challenging trail, and wonderful company, one could not ask for very much more. A trek I am sure to do again.

---------- End forwarded message ----------



Reply From: "Dayle K. Turner" (turner@hawaii.edu)

Let me add to Nathan's narrative about our Saturday trek to the summit of Manana--

We saw no one beyond on the trail beyond the junction with the trail that goes down to Waimano Pool. That was surprising since it was an ideal day for hiking--high overcast, nice breeze, no rain (well, we did get a little near the end of the hike).

We did hear someone yell from Waimano Valley to the right as we were going up. We also spotted what we thought were hikers on the Waimano Trail, parts of which are clearly visible etched into the ridge across the valley.

There are three or four rope sections on the trail although the ropes there are mere conveniences rather than necessities. Nathan and I talked about the Sierra Club policy of not allowing hikers on SC treks to use any ropes/cables found on the trail.

I mistakenly told Nathan that Waihee Valley lay below the summit of Manana. It's actually Ka'alaea Valley. Waihee is the next one over toward Kaneohe.

When we finished the hike, we encountered a tribe of people hiking out right by the water tank. An even bigger mob was kicked back on the sidewalk at the end of Komo Mai Drive. All had undoubtedly gone to the pool along the stream. They don't know what they missed. :-)

--Dayle


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