Moanalua Valley

Overview

From almost all perspectives, this is a honey of a hike. The only distraction is the five mile road trip via a dirt / gravel road to the trailhead. Otherwise it offers a cool, shady hike through one of the Koolau’s loveliest valleys that ends in an exciting and vigorous ridge ascent that provides a lunch spot that could be a breezy magnificent view that cannot be purchased for any currency, Haiku Valley and Kaneohe Bay, if good weather prevails, are entirely at your visual disposal. H3 and the tunnel entrance are also available for inspection.

However, to arrive at this turnaround expect wet boots and mosquitoes. You will cross the stream bed over 20 times and the rocks are slippery. You may decide to just walk through from the first crossing and initiate your boots and socks immediately. The trail winds and meanders and is often muddy. Several Hau tree tangles must be negotiated but usually the trail is well maintained, accessible and well marked. It’s difficult to get lost since the trail basically follows the stream into the valley.

At the last stream crossing the trail turns upward and begins a steep ascent through Uluhe fern, Ohia and other native plants. Since you are leaving the valley’s protection expect heat, sun and a little cooling breeze. However, after 20-30 minutes climb you will be rewarded by a typical Koolau summit view of the windward coast; which is inarguably an unbeatable lunch spot.

Returning by the same route should bring you to the dirt / gravel road in about two hours and another 45-55 minutes to the Moanalua Valley park with its restrooms and fresh water.

Directions

Enter Moanalua Valley and follow a dirt / gravel road through a locked gate and continue for approximately 2 – 1/2 miles to marker #13. Just past this point (500 yards?) turn left off the road, make a stream crossing, climb an embankment, turn left and pass a stream gauging station. Proceed along streambed following trail markers crossing the stream over 20 times. Climb the final ascent to the ridge summit and return.

Hazards

• Very slippery rocks during numerous stream crossings
• Mosquitoes
• Overhead Hau branches
• Very steep drop-offs at summit