Kaiwi Plant Hike with Kenji: March 2025

On Sunday March 9th HTMC Member Ken Suzuki (a.k.a. Kenji) lead HTMC Trail Clearing Crew and Hike Coordinators on a plant hike along the Kaiwi Coast. Kenji has been visiting this area of the island since his childhood when he went shore fishing with his dad. Before we started he gave a brief overview of the history of Hawaiian culture, development of the islands and the area which was known as Wawamalu (shady valley).  

If you have ever had the privilege of going on a plant walk with Kenji you will know that he shares big printed photos depicting many locations around Oahu in the 1900’s when they were completely denuded of trees and plants due to grazing cattle and farming. He also reminds us that the Hawaiians only destroyed 20% of the landscape, while being self-sustaining. In contrast the settlers destroyed 80% of the land and today we rely on shipments to survive.

The area where we hiked is often referred to as “Alan Davis” because that was the name of the rancher whose home was in the area until it was destroyed in the 1946 tidal wave. As we started our walk Kenji asked us to look around at the plants that looked like shrubby weeds and then he proceeded to tell us that many of them are native plants and that this is one of the best places on the island to find coastal plants. 

Kenji learned about plants from his mentor Kost Pankiwskyj. Kenji did his best to learn one plant every Sunday while trail clearing with HTMC and Kost would quiz him. Kenji makes, prints and shares booklets of the plants in a few areas on Oahu, including the one we were provided on the hike called “Plants Found On The Kaiwi Coastline” By Ken Suzuki. He mentioned that he is constantly working on updating his booklets as local groups plant more natives in the area. Not only do the booklets have wonderful photos and descriptions, they allow us to learn about the plants and make for great future reference.

Kenji has been leading this hike for HTMC for years. Typically it takes place in the beginning of the year because that is when the plants are flourishing due to the rains. This year we came across many beautiful native plants found in Kenji’s booklet. (Plant collages below by Hawkins).

Top Row: Nama, Hinahina Kahakai, ‘Ohelo Kai

Bottom Row: Maiapilo, Nohu, Naupaka Kahakai

Top Row: Nehe, Naio, ‘Ohai 

Bottom Row: Pohuehue, Pa u O Hi’iaka, ‘Ilima

Slowly the group made our way to the rocky outcropping called Kapaliokamoa, a.k.a. Pele’s Chair, stopping along the way to see and learn more about the native plants. On a cliff above the crashing waves Kenji shared with us a remarkable pohaku (rock) with an amazing profile that he found years ago.

Photo by Elena

Eventually, as the sun grew higher and the temperature warmer, we made our way back to our cars to enjoy the tradition Sunday trail clearing pau hana potluck at the clubhouse.

Thank you Kenji for sharing your plant hike this year with 22 members of the HTMC trail clearing crew and hike coordinators! Hopefully some of your incredible plant knowledge will soak in. We are grateful that Kenji continues to lead plant hikes for HTMC, keep your eye out for his plant hikes, in the meantime CLICK HERE to view Kenji’s upcoming Kahuku Shoreline Hike on May 17th.

All photographs in this article by David E. Johnson, unless otherwise noted. Also, Pat Rooney captured this experience on his 360 camera, if you’d like to see a few of those moments, CLICK HERE. 

The photographer himself, David E. Johnson striking a pose