This should be a nice quick post about a nice quick hike. The Kalihi Ice Ponds have been a favorite watering hole for locals for many years. This is one of those out-of-the-way places that many people don't know about. Often, you might only see a few other people, which is rare here on Oahu. In fact, I didn't see a single other person for the few hours I was on this trail and at the ponds.
Here's my disclaimer up front: climbing wet rocks and jumping into shallow pools are bad ideas. Please only attempt this if you believe in Darwinism and have not yet contributed to the gene pool. The only way I even know about this hike is because of a news story where rescuers had to pull someone from here several months ago. Also, if the rocks don't get you leptospirosis might. So if you decide to partake in this hike and you end up dead and/or diseased, don't hold it against the creators of Haole Hiking.
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| A sign line this is where all good Hawaii hikes begin. |
So with that ugly mess out of the way, let's talk about the hike. According to Yelp, this is supposed to be an easy hike and a nice place to go swimming. None of the reviews gave very detailed hiking instructions, though. They all said "go around the gate and you'll eventually see the path heading down."
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| A good reminder to respect da land, bruddah |
So of course I peeked my head into everything that even remotely looked like a path, to no avail. I actually turned around at one point because I was sure I had passed it.
Here are more accurate directions for anyone who may be attempting to find it: go around the big barbed wire fence with the "no trespassing" signs, go over a small cracked bridge, pass by a large water tank with "inspiring" phrases painted by local "artists," go past an abandoned building with colorful designs (also by local "artists"), continue past the abandoned/burned car/go cart, slink around the large tree limb literally suspended by a live power line, then turn right when you can see the Likelike highway on your left. Easy enough, right?
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| wanna go for a ride? |
Most of this hike is actually on an access road used to maintain the water tank. The first 25% or so is actually well-paved and maintained. After that, all bets are off. There are parts where there used to be asphalt but now are potholes and drainage ditches (mother nature always takes over). The hike is more serene than this description makes it out to be. You are walking through the jungle with the sounds of rushing water all around you. It is a pleasant and secluded nature walk.
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| "Why can't today be the best day of your life?" Thanks, local graffiti artist. This message literally just changed my life! |
The turnoff to get down to the falls is pretty close to what looks like the end of the path. Someone used a large tree branch to block the path so you know where to turn. That was helpful.
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| This is the actual place you turn to go down. Obvious, right? |
To get down to the falls, I had to channel my inner spider monkey. You are presented with what looks like a giant water slide, but with mud instead of water. How fun! Fortunately someone put up ropes so you don't fall on your okole. Trust in the ropes, and they will set you free.
Finally, the waterfall! I was pleased and surprised to have this place all to myself. Had I come on the weekend I bet there would have been a handful of other people there, but not the throngs of tourists like you would find at Manoa or Waimea Falls. It is allegedly a 3-tier waterfall with the other two tiers above the larger one. There is another rope up the side of the big waterfall for easy access to the other falls, a good cliff diving spot, and a great place to get a concussion. Needless to say I didn't venture up the wet rocks to see what was up there.
You know you have been in Hawaii too long when you start to get picky about your waterfalls. I found this one to be "pleasant," but not as spectacular as the reviews suggest. The large downed trees make it difficult to get around (not to mention how difficult it is to get a good composition for the photos). Perhaps it's the swimming that makes this place great, but as I already said I didn't come here to get in the water.
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| Something doesn't quite fit here. It looks like someone wasn't "malama-ing" the "aina" |
Overall, this was a very easy and serene hike. It was worth the trip once but I don't think I'll be finding my way back here anytime soon.
