Every year on New Year's Day, the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club climbs Koko Crater from a route near the Halona Blow Hole. Since I've been travelling most of December, I have chosen this special hike to be reprinted for my January column. Watch for a new column from me on February 1st.

Koko Crater, rising 1208 feet above eastern Honolulu, holds a commanding view over Hawaii Kai, Kuapa Pond, Hanauma Bay, and Koko Head. The interior of the crater is host to one of Honolulu's four botanical gardens, this one featuring dry area plants.

View toward the peak from inside the crater. "The Knob" on the left crater rim is where our group will reach the rim coming from the ocean side, as shown in subsequent photos. [This photo was taken on a previous hike]

The Koko Crater summit contains the remains of an extensive bunker complex, dating from World War II. The bunkers were served by an inclined railway, pulled up by a heavy winch. The rail track is still in place, on the southwest side of the mountain, and is used in the descent for those who want to make a loop hike. The route described here is an exciting adventure, with outstanding views, but it is not for children or those nervous about heights. [A safer climb to the summit can be made by using the rail route to and from the peak]. I am not able to describe the route in this article, as the way is unmarked, and much of it depends on previous knowledge. Do this hike with a club, or someone who has done it before and knows the way.

The route begins near the Halona Blowhole, and that is where we parked.

Getting ready for the climb
 

From the parking lot, we walked back along the highway toward town a short distance, then turned right onto a ridge heading toward the mountain.

Connecting ridge leading right, toward the main slope.

Climbing to the connecting ridge, with "The Knob" on the skyline

Up the connecting ridge

Looking back toward the parking lot and Sandy Beach, with Makapuu Head in the background

The toughest part of the route is the crossing of a steep and narrow rock arch, which bridges a gulch to connect with the main slope. A fall here could cause serious injury, and it has turned back many a hiker. There are some small steps carved into the rock at irregular intervals, which help somewhat, but it is an exposed climb, which should not be attempted in wet or very windy conditions. For our hike, an advance party strung a safety rope over the worst part.

Advance party fixes safety rope on the rock arch

First hikers approach the arch

Up and over the arch

Made it - but don't look back!

Once across the arch, the route gets less precipitous, but it is still steep and rocky.

"The Knob" at the top is the same one seen from the inside of the crater in Photo 2, and will be where our group will reach the crater rim.

Koko Head, with Hanauma Bay coming into view below it.

Hikers snake up the steep slope

At last! We reach the crater rim. "The Knob" is above, with the summit in the distant right. Going will now be a little easier.

Advancing toward "The Knob"

Koko Head and Hanauma Bay via telephoto

A view of the inside of the crater from the rim

Hikers crossing "The Knob"

When we finally reached the bunkers on the summit, the weather began to cloud up, but it never obstructed the fine view.

Gathering on top of the main bunker

Enjoying a world-class view

Kuapa Pond from the bunker complex

Once everyone reached the bunker, a celebration is in order.

Pouring champagne

A toast to the New Year!

After drinking, snacking, and photo-snapping, it was time to leave the mountain. We descended via the rail track, which comes out near the Koko Head rifle & pistol range and the former Job Corps site.

Descending the railway tracks

Vegetation almost covers the tracks

Near the bottom, the track widens

Rather than return on the road, we took advantage of a little-known cave which allowed us to emerge at the bottom of a cliff onto the rocky seashore.

In the cave, with light beckoning in the distance

Part of our group exits the cave and begins the shoreline walk

Along the shoreline shelf

We stop to check out a fishermen's camp

Finally, at "From Here to Eternity" beach, we climb back to the Halona Blowhole parking lot - ending a long and satisfying day.

The movie-famous beach and the parking lot.

Comments

BrianF — Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Hikers should know that the shoreline portion of this hike can be extremely dangerous (even on seemingly calm days) to those unaware or inattentive of sea cliff dangers and should be avoided during high surf. Your photograph numbers 13 and 17 of Koko Head include a view of Hanauma Bay and not Makapuu Beach.

rmcmahon — Thursday, January 3, 2008

Thanks, Brian, for catching the error in the two captions. Also, you warning about surf conditions is appropriate for this hike. Aloha, Richard

JimmyM — Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Richard, I'm aware of the tunnel that runs beneath Kalanianaole Highway from the base of Koko Head Crater to "From Here to Eternity Beach," but in reading your article, I get the impression that there is an additional tunnel, and that is the one your group used. Is that correct? If so, I will have to look for it . . . on a calm day! Thanks very much for your hiking columns. They are always well-written, and the photos are simply superb. - Jim

rmcmahon — Thursday, January 10, 2008

Jim, Thanks very much for the nice words. I'm pretty sure we are talking about the same tunnel. After descending the tracks, we circled around the firing range and walked along the highway, toward the Blowhole, for a short distance. We then descended into a gulley on the left side of the highway and entered the tunnel.

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