Ka Iwi Explorations 2025 Recap

On the weekend of November 8-9, 2025, HTMC members served as hike leaders and sweepers and/or trail ambassadors for approximately 125 hikers at the annual Ka Iwi Explorations community hikes along the Kaiwi Mauka lands.  In addition, HTMC members cleared the trail route throughout the month of October in preparation for the annual weekend hike event.  This year’s Ka Iwi Explorations event was an overall success due to its continued partnership and stewardship of the Kaiwi Mauka lands with multiple community sponsors including HTMC. 

HTMC Trail Clearing Day

On the morning of Saturday, November 8, 2025, participants hiked the Kaiwi Mauka lands in groups of 12-15 hikers and left the trailhead at a designated time during the early morning hours. Each hike group was escorted by a trained hike leader and sweeper. Prior to the event, hike leaders and sweepers completed a training orientation hike and received curated docent knowledge about the land’s history and topography. In total, six groups successfully hiked the Kaiwi Mauka lands. 

Sunday Trail Ambassadors Photo by Chelsea Chang

As for the morning of Sunday, November 9, 2025, participants hiked the Kaiwi Mauka lands in a self-guided format on their own. However, about a half dozen HTMC members served as trail ambassadors at key trail markers to ensure that hikers completed a safe excursion and remained on the trail. The self-guided hikers shared positive feedback of the self-guided format and this opportunity to hike on their own will likely be offered in future years. 

Training day with Hawkins Biggins, Gary Gill & Kendrick Chang – Photo by Chelsea Chang

In 2017, Livable Maunalua Hui (fka Livable Hawaii Kai Hui) successfully acquired the Kaiwi Mauka lands (181.5 acres) – the last threatened undeveloped lands from Kalama Valley through the summit above Sea Life Park along the Makapu’u-Kaiwi Scenic Shoreline – for the community’s benefit and enjoyment. Subsequently, in 2018, Livable Maunalua Hui launched Ka Iwi Explorations as an annual hike event to invite the community to hike the Kaiwi Mauka lands through a curated and safe hiking experience led by docent hike guides.  Altogether, Ka Iwi Exploration is a multi-partner experience organized by Livable Maunalua Hui, the Trust For Public Land, the Sierra Club Oahu Group, HTMC, and several other organizations. 

Kaiwi Explorations Sunday hikers enjoying a self guided hike

Although the Kaiwi Mauka lands are not open for public access, Livable Maunalua Hui welcomes HTMC members to hike the trails by obtaining advanced permission and/or through volunteer opportunities to maintain the trails throughout the year. HTMC members may reach out to Livable Maunalua Hui via email at info@lhkh.org for more information.   

Kaiwi Coalition Sponsors

HTMC members and their families have the opportunity to hike this land on the upcoming Kaiwi Mauka Chistmas Day hike on Thursday December 25th.

Photos by Hawkins Biggins unless otherwise noted.