I rarely hike a trail twice. This is becoming increasingly difficult, though, as I complete more and more of Oahu’s hiking trails. In search of a unique hike to do, I began skimming through the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club’s (HTMC) outing schedule. I noticed that local author, Stuart Ball, would be leading a hike to Puu O Hulu. Without hesitation, I decided to revisit this little puu on the Waianae Coast that looms over Maili, with the added benefit of being able to pick the mind of a local hiking and backpacking legend.
Joel and Allison making their way up the rocky trail. Photo by Coty Gonzales.
Makeshift Afro. Photo by Joel Sabugo.
Lita excited about this rockface, which is not part of the trail! Photo by Coty Gonzales.
Stuart Ball looks on as Lita scales the small rockface. Photo by Coty Gonzales.
The day started with me and Joel, my constant hiking partner, making the drive from Honolulu to the Waianae Coast. Our meeting spot was the Nanakuli Mall at 8:30am. Joel and I were the first to arrive. Shortly after, we noticed a short haole man wearing a faded pink aloha shirt and khaki pants. His hiking boots were rugged and worn. I knew instantly that it was Stuart Ball. I immediately jumped out of Joel’s 4Runner to introduce myself to Stuart. I was excited and, to tell you the truth, a little starstruck. I have been using Stuart’s books for a few years now, and so I was very excited to meet him. He greeted me with a very friendly “howzit,” a smile and a stern handshake. I then quickly signed the HTMC liability forms and made my $3 donation. I mentioned to Stuart my interest in joining the club, and he told me, “oh yeah, it’s good fun.” He asked if I wanted a form, but I told him that I might as well wait until I completed the required three club led hikes. He nodded in approval.
Once everyone had showed up, we then drove off to the trailhead, which was located 5 stoplight away from Nanakuli Mall. We turned right on to Kaukama Road and, as instructed, parked between the 8th and 10th light pole on the right side of the road. Stuart then gave the standard HTMC debriefing and we were on the trail.
The views on this trail get better the higher you go. Photo by Coty Gonzales.
Stuart Ball to my right. Photo by Lita McGovern.
The bunkers. Photo by Coty Gonzales.
Bunker view. Photo by Coty Gonzales.
Lydia standing on the edge of the bunker. Photo by Coty Gonzales.
There’s not much that I can say about Puu O Hulu that I didn’t already say in this blog post from 2011, when I last hiked this trail on the Waianae Coast. Puu O Hulu is a very short trail, coming in at roughly 2 miles. However, don’t let the short mileage fool you into thinking that it’s an easy hike. The trail is best described by Ball as a ”glorious scramble up a rocky ridge.” I’d have to agree with him, with the one caveat being that I would add the word “steep” in there. The trickiest portion of the hike is the 10 foot rockface that needs to be climbed. The are many foot and handholds, though, make this one obstacle a manageable one. Once past the rockface, you will continue to scramble up the mountain. Eventually, you will reach the first of several abandoned army observation posts and bunkers. From here, you’ll be afforded with wonderful views of the Waianae Coast.
Stuart Ball has authored multiple guide books geared toward the Hawaii outdoor enthusiast. His books include: The Hikers Guide to Oahu
I got to break in a new pair of Merrells on this trail. Photo by Joel Sabugo.
Jump. Photo by Coty Gonzales.
Talking story. Photo by Joel Sabugo.
Climb the pole. Photo by Coty Gonzales.
Sitting on the Edge. Photo by Lydia Gonzales.
When asked about the most difficult trail on the island, Stuart quickly said “Kamaileunu.” He then took a deep breath and sighed, as if he was recalling the steep and precipitous inclines and unstable ground that make up the Kamaileunu Trail. In fact, in his book, The Hiker’s Guide to Oahu, Ball described Kamaileunu as “the most rugged hike on the island.” He then pointed toward the trail, which climbs partway up the ridge separating Wai‘anae and Mākaha Valleys. We then talked about some of the more notorious hikes on the island, including Bear Claw (Windward Kuliouou) and the various saddles along the Koolau Summit Trail. He referred to the recent death on Bear Claw and the very narrow ridges the make up the various saddles on the KST. For Ball, these hikes simply aren’t worth the risk. He did note, though, that at his ripe age of 64, he’s not very suited to be doing those kinds of extreme hikes.
As we worked our way down the trail, I asked Stuart about his involvement with the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club. He mentioned that he first joined the club in 1980. I laughed and told him that he joined a year before I was born. He laughed back at me. He said that before moving to the islands, he often hiked while living on the East Coast. When he moved to Hawaii, he researched the two local hiking clubs, the Sierra Club and HTMC. He asked residents which of the two “were the most local,” of which many answered HTMC. He said, though, that he already knew the answer to that question. The rest is history, and he has been a member of the HTMC for over thirty years, leading hikes for local outdoor enthusiasts.
When asked about his influential book, The Hiker’s Guide to Oahu, Ball was quick to note that it all started with him simply taking notes of the hikes that he would go on. Eventually, he had a collection of meticulous notes on the various hiking trails throughout the state. It was then that he started to think that maybe he “could make a book out of all of this.” The guide book, which was first published in 1993, is now considered by many to be the Bible when it comes to hiking on Oahu. Does this mean that I had just hiked with a hiking God? Stuart would be the first to say no, but many avid local hikers would nod in agreement.
Allison makes this look easy. Photo by Coty Gonzales.
He’s known to hike in aloha shirts. Photo by Coty Gonzales.
Joel makes a funny face. Photo by Coty Gonzales.
Joel kicking with Stuart. Photo by Coty Gonzales.
Explorers: Allison Baird, Stuart Ball, Coty Gonzales, Joel Sabugo, and members of the HTMC.
Total Distance: 2 miles
Total Time: ~2-3 hours
Pu’u O Hulu Trail Tips:
- This is a dry trail, be sure to wear suncreen and consider wearing a hat since there isn’t much shade.
- Gloves are good to have, especially when scrambling up the various rockfaces.
Directions: From Honolulu you will drive west bound on H1 Freeway towards Ewa/Waianae. Follow H1 past Ewa, eventually it will become Farrington Highway. Continue on Farrington Highway and then turn right at Kaukama Road. Parking will be anywhere you deem safe in the residential area along Kaukama Road. We parked on Heleuma Street. The trailhead is located near the 4th street light post on Kaukama Road. The trail is a loop and will end between the 8th and 10th light post.
That’s so cool that you met Stuart Ball. I have most of his books and use them on a regular basis.
Gotta try his “most difficult” hike someday. :3
Yeah, it was a great experience! He was definitely fun to talk to about hiking in Hawaii! Would love to hike with him again in the future.
Love your photos Coty! And nice blogpost of your hike as well, this is one of my to-do hikes.
Lucky you got to meet and hike with Stuart Ball-I own two of his books and read them all the time! LOL! I too am looking to join the HTMC (this summer). I’ve already hiked with some of the members and it was a memorable hike, one that I’ll never forget! Allison is looking fab as always!!
Thanks Lovey! It’s a fun hike, but a short one! If you do get a chance to check this trail out, it might also be worth it to make a side trip to Makua and Upper Makua Cave. I’ve done just two HTMC led hikes and so far they have been great!
Oooh cave?! Thanks Coty, I’ll check it out!
When you do your third hike with the HTMC, I’ll gladly sign your form as a sponsor so you can become a member ;D