Most hikers feel that this trip is a long way to go to see two waterfalls and a relatively small pool. I have to agree with them, but it doesn't stop me from making this hike once a year or so to enjoy a walk deep into the foothills of the Koolau Mountains, ending at a spot that few folks ever see. It's a place where, if you go alone (or with a friend), you are guaranteed to be alone when you get there. Malaekahana is about 8 miles round trip, gains about 1,200 feet in elevation, and is a fairly strenuous trail. It is similar to the La`ie Falls hike (my column of February, 2005), which is shorter and easier.
Malaekahana Trail traverses private property, and the hike requires permission from Hawaii Reserves. The permit must be picked up in person at their office in the La'ie Shopping Center, between the Country Doctor and the Pharmacy. The hike is also scheduled annually by the Sierra Club and the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club. If you go with them, you will have company, be sure to find the way, and they will take care of the permit.
To reach the trailhead, take Kamehameha Highway to La`ie and turn mauka at Naniloa Loop. Entering a small traffic circle, take the second turn to the right, onto Po`ohaili Street, drive to the ballfield on the left, and park on the grass, well off the road. This is a quiet neighborhood with young children. Please respect the rights of the residents by driving slowly, and refrain from loud conversation or noise en route to the trailhead. Continue mauka on foot on Po`ohaile, passing through two successive gates. If the gates are closed, walk around them. After the second gate the pavement ends. Continue down the road, past a small green pumping shed, to another junction with a sign indicating the La`ie Trail. Do not turn left and uphill here, but continue along the main road, ignoring several side roads right and left. At a point where a stream crosses the road (it may be dry), cross the streambed and take a rough dirt road on the left, leading uphill. Bear right at two junctions, and the road soon becomes an eroded path.
Eroded uphill path
The path reaches a copse of ironwood trees and then breaks out onto a long, grassy ridge.
Resting in the ironwoods
Walking along the ridge
The ridge gradually gains altitude as it approaches the Koolau forest.
Another ironwood grove appears ahead
A steep, eroded hill adds additional exercise
The trail narrows to single-file width as it enters a field of native uluhe fern. Once through the uluhe, the forest begins, and it is a good place to take a welcome break from the hot, sunny climb.
As the trail passes through the woods, it continues to follow the ridge line. Watch for a small, green sign on the right attached to a tree (see photo below). This trail descends to the pool and waterfalls. The main trail continues up to the top of the Koolau, joining the Summit Trail.
Sign pointing to falls trail
The trail soon becomes very steep, with ropes providing assistance.
Ropes aid the steep descent
Reaching the bottom of the gulch, go straight across the small stream and follow the path on the other side to a small pool.
Resting at the pool side
This is the upper pool, where most of the group ends the hike, enjoying a refreshing dip.
Hiker and friend enjoy the upper pool
At the downstream end of the upper pool, a small waterfall spills over into a lower pool.
Top of waterfall
Bottom of waterfall, showing part of lower pool
Access to the lower pool is by a short, sheer drop on the right side of the stream (facing downstream), made possible by small bushes and saplings to grab on to. Even faster access, for real heroes, is by jumping or diving from the upper pool. The pool is apparently deep enough, and some of our party enjoyed repeated leaps, but I never recommend this, or do it myself. One never knows if unseen logs, rocks, or other obstructions have washed into the pool during heavy rains. It is always a bad idea to jump or dive into unfamiliar mountain pools without thoroughly checking them out first.
Lower pool
All too soon, it is time for the return trip.
Starting back
It's a long way home
A benefit of most downhill trips out of the mountains is the sweeping coastline views
NEXT MONTH: As I have done at the end of the last two years, January's column will feature a hiking vacation outside of Hawaii (Monument Valley, Dec 04, and Pinnacles National Monument, Jan 06). This time we will venture farther afield, to the Alps, to a small town near Chamonix, France, to describe an affordable hiking vacation in one of the world's most famous locations.
