Hiker looking toward Pearl Harbor from Aiea Loop Trail

This 5-mile loop is one of the more popular trails on Oahu. It is short, relatively flat, free of dangerous places, and suitable for the whole family. Because it is conveniently accessible to so much of the island, it gets a lot of use—especially on weekends. Runners, joggers, dog-walkers,  and mountain bikers all share the trail with hikers. There is about an 800 foot elevation gain, but this is accumulated in small doses throughout the route.

The trialhead is located at the Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area, at the end of Aiea Heights Drive. Enter the park, pass the heiau on the left, and drive up the one-way paved road to the upper parking lot. The trail begins uphill from the rest room. It enters a grove of eucalyptus trees, and then traverses an open, eroded area.

Entering the eucalyptus grove   
  

Open, eroded area

In just under half an hour, a trail to the left leads down to Kalauao Stream, the subject of last month’s column. Continue straight ahead, on the loop trail, which is now mostly shaded by a mixed forest.

A small clearing, with a bench, reveals a good view of the Waianae Mountains, across Oahu’s central plain. At another junction, a trail to the left leads along Aiea Ridge to the Koolau summit. Stay on the wide loop trail bearing right.

As the loop reaches its farthest point, Halawa Valley and the H3 Freeway come into view.

H3, framed by native trees, koa on the left, ohia on the right.
The Koolau summit ridge is in the background

Taking a break at the farthest point

Starting back, with Honolulu in the distance

After a short open stretch, the trail enters the forest again.

Hikers head toward another eucalyptus stand

As the trail follows along the top of a steep draw on the right, watch for a sign on a tree describing a plane crash describing a World War II plane crash which took place here. Remains of the plane are scattered in the gully.

Piece of a wing from plane crash

The trail widens and then enters a Cook pine grove,

before descending to the bottom of a lush, usually muddy gulch.

Climbing out of the gulch, the loop ends at a large picnic area at Keaiwa

From here, it’s up the road to the parking lot to close the loop.

Before leaving the park, take time to visit the heiau at the entrance. Probably built in the 1500's, it was a medical heiau, where patients came for treatment.

NEXT MONTH: HIKING IN THE SIERRA NEVADA