Crossing Kahana Stream
Kahana is one of the best places I know of to enjoy a hike in a typical Hawaiian forested valley. The valley is beautiful, the forest is shady and varied, and clear, cool pools offer refreshing dips along the way. It is the perfect place to take a visiting hiker who has never seen Oahu's hidden interior. Children will enjoy this outing, although younger ones should be under adult control at pools, when crossing streams, and on some narrow sections of the trail. The Nakoa Trail, a five-mile loop, provides a fine sampling of all the valley's attractions.
Trail sign
Although this article describes a double loop trip in the valley, the second loop should not be attempted by those not familiar with it. The trail is poorly marked, and it is easy to get lost. Keep in mind that several years ago two young women from Denmark were missing in this valley for seven days before finally being rescued. The Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club and the Sierra Club schedule the double loop regularly. Check their schedules by clicking their buttons at the end of this column. The elevation gain is a modest 500 feet, most of coming in the steep road section.
From the Kamehameha Highway, turn mauka at the park sign, pass by the parking lot on the right, and continue into the valley to the Orientation Center, a short distance further, also on the right.
Orientation Center
Stop to get a map of the valley, which includes the Nakoa Trail. If the center is closed, pick up the map brochure from the box on the wall. Continue driving up the valley for half a mile, parking at the signs just before the housing area.
Two-legged and four-legged hikers at the trailhead.
Proceed on foot along the paved road through the housing area, passing around a gate, and continuing along the paved road, which now becomes one lane.
Hikers receive a briefing at the far end of the housing area.
Starting up the one-lane road
The road goes uphill for about a quarter-mile to a hunter/hiker check-in station on the left. Turn left off the paved road, sign in, and take the Nakao Trail which turns off to the right.
Turnoff to the Nakao Trail
Starting in a heavily wooded area, the trail soon varies between tropical forest,
and open ridges covered with uluhe, which almost swallow the hikers.
Breaks in the vegetation offer fine views of the valley and mountains.
Large felled trees across the trail occasionally provide obstacles to cross over, and dense hau thickets require ducking under.
Hau thicket
Half way around the Nakao Trail Loop is a large hala grove, a good spot to take a break.
Also in the hala grove are several concrete bunkers used for training in World War II.
At this point our group left the Nakao Trail to begin the second loop. (We will return to it later, to complete its second half, and return to the starting point). The trail now gets narrower and rougher. Grabbing large tree roots helps in getting out of gulches.
The trail drops down through a bamboo grove,
passing small waterfalls and streams.
In places, the path is covered with hala leaves.
There are small streams to cross,
as well as larger ones,
some rocky ones,
and even some dry ones.
At some crossing spots there were quiet, deep pools.
Finally, we stop by a large pool for lunch
Shortly after the lunch stop, we return to the Nakao Trail, following a long ridge mostly shaded with hala trees, with their shed leaves crackling under foot. Just before the end of the trail, we reach the largest and deepest pool on the trail. A careful balancing act across the top of a small, narrow, and slippery dam, brings us to the other side, where we throw off our packs and enjoy the best swim of the day.
After the swim, a climb up a steep eroded dirt road brings us back to the check-in station and the paved road leading back to our cars.
A few cautions on this hike:
As is the case elsewhere in Hawaii, there is a danger of contracting leptospirosis by swimming in freshwater streams. Do not swim with open cuts or allow water to come in contact with open eyes or mouth.
Do not cross streams if the water is more than knee-high or is running rapidly. It is not a good idea to do this hike in the rain. Kahana Stream can rise quickly due to heavy flooding in the back of the valley caused by rain water.
Be prepared for mosquitoes, especially when stopped along the trail. Have a good repellant, cover-up, or both.
Ahupua`a `O Kahana State Park
NEXT MONTH: KAUNALA LOOP & PU`U O MAKUA HEIAU
