Summary: The Kuli`ou`ou Ridge Trail is a 2.25 mile trail that rises almost 1800 feet, before peaking on the spine of the Ko`olau Ridge. It’s a tough run, for it is steep, but it is very run-able and offers a great reward in the form of spectacular views. The locals say that you’re suppose to run to the top, come back down to the picnic table, and then run back to the top again.
The Good: The trail is in very good shape. Unlike a lot of other trails that go mauka on the Ko`olau Ridge, this one is wide and easily navigable all the way to the end. There are no ropes, there’s no forced hiking; you can run as hard and as long as your legs can handle. Being steep, there’s some erosion, but it’s been well addressed and should hold up well for a long time. And the views — wow, the views. Fantastic. From Diamond Head, all the way around to the Makapu`u Lighthouse and on to Kaneoha Bay, standing at the top of the trail lets you see everything from Honolulu to the Kona Brewing Company restaurant in Hawaii Kai. And the foliage is awesome; like the website says,
The trail traverses through an assortment of exotic vegetation typical of arid areas: Christmas berry, haole koa, formosa koa, ironwood, Norfolk pine and guava. Beyond the shelter and the guava forest, the trail breaks out of the canopy and into uluhe-o`hia-koa-lama forest.
The Bad: Are you OK with ascending about 1800 feet of elevation, in 2.25 miles? Because you’re going to do that. Are you happy only running on bike trails? This ascent features rocks and roots and stairs and all kinds of things that will make you question your footing, and question your sanity on the way down. Now, I happen to like that stuff, but hey, that’s me. And remember — this is an active hunting area, so be careful on the weekends.
The Ugly: Nothing.
Type of route: Trail Good to run in the rain? It’s be a tough one, especially the last little bit.
Length: 2.25 miles to the top.
Options for the route: Run to the top, come back down to the picnic area, then re-assault the top — that’s 10km once you get back to the car.
Elevation change on the run: 300 feet up to 2100 feet, and back down. Water used: I used 1.5 liters, but could have / would have used more.
Where to start: Kalaau Pl, Honolulu, Hawaii 96821S Where to park: Same. The very end of the street is marked no parking, and that seems to be enforced. Get there early, or your parking options won’t be close to the trail head. Point your car’s GPS towards: here.
Facilities Water? Nope. Toilets? Nope. Medical care? Nope. Ranger / park folks? Nope. Picnic areas? One. Mid way up, about 1.5 miles from the trail head and .7 miles from the top. A place to change afterwards? Nope.
You’d run this route when….it’s not actually raining Windward, and you want a nice view. When the skies are clear, and you think you can get up there for the sunrise. When you’re training for the DipSea. When old ladies call you out.
My rating: 9
Music: Some classic 80′s tunes. That is, assuming no one is close enough to you on the trails to actually hear what you’re listening to. If that’s the case, go with NWA.
Summary: The Manana Trail is a state / country trail in the Pearl Ridge area, that heads mauka (towards the mountains) up the Koʻolau Range. While it’s close to six miles to hike all the way to the ridge, the lower first few miles of the trail make for some great running. It offers easy access, great views, rolling ascent and wide, safe paths.
The Good: The first three miles of this trail is good. It’s a nice, rolling climb from about 1000 feet of elevation, up to about 1600 feet of elevation. Nice wide trails, the route is well marked and easy to follow. It mixes lots of shade with open areas of panoramic views. And on a nice and sunny day, this is a beautiful place to go run. Mid way up, there’s even a camping area — a nice place to stop for a sit, though there’s no water or anything other than the clearing.
The Bad: There are a few stretches of the trail that are narrow, with a drop off on both sides. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing – it’s probably just not for everyone. Also, parking is at the end of a residential street — I always feel guilty, parking in front of someone’s house when I head out running (though I do try and police up the trash in the area, and leave it better than I found it). Did I mention dog poop? Yep — some of them, unfortunately. Did I mention pig hunting? I don’t see it as a problem — I’ve never had a bad experience with hunters on the trails. But it is a hunting area.
The Ugly: Have you noticed that I’ve been talking about the first three miles of this trail? Well, after the three mile mark is stops being running and turns into hiking. Or mountain climbing. If you’re wanting a run longer than 6 miles round trip, this isn’t it. If you want to run to the top, this isn’t the trail for you.
Type of route: Trail run Good to run in the rain? Yes, for the first 3 miles. After that, no.
Length: 6 to 12 miles; I recommend just the 6.
Options for the route: Yes — one. There’s a split off, to go down to the Waimano Pool. Take caution, though — it’s a steep hike down, and a mean hike back up. If it’s raining, or been raining, it’ll be slick. More info, here.
Elevation change on the run: Three miles will be about 600 feet of elevation gain. Water used: A solid two liters.
Where to start: At the end of Komo Mai Drive Where to park: Same. be sure not to block the circle at the end — emergency vehicle access, so you’ll get a ticket / towed. Point your car’s GPS towards: Komo Mai Drive, Pearl City, HI 96782 (here)
Facilities Water? No Toilets? No Medical care? No Ranger / park folks? No. Picnic areas?Yes (via). Mid way up, at the camp site. A place to change afterwards? No. Which is a bit awkward — doing a deck change outside someone’s house is, well, awkward.
Rewards in the area:Try Miki’s (1001 Lehua Avenue, Pearl City, HI 96782-3334) for some grinds.
You’d run this route when….it’s a sunny, sunny day with some clouds that are mauka.
My rating: 8. I look forward to running this one a few more times.
Music: It needs to be something older, like the Squeeze (try this).
Summary: For as long as I have been running up and down from Nuuanu Pali State Wayside, aka the Pali lookout, I’ve had my eye on a run from the beach in Kailua to the Nuuanu Pali and back. From my best guesstimation, I figured it’d be about 13 miles to do it. Starting at the Kailua Beach Park in Kailua seemed like a perfect fit; I’d used it as a base of operations for a number of runs up to the pillboxes, and to the area around Kailua and Bellows Air Station. The run from there up to Nuuanu Pali is a mix of nice, flat road running, with a moderate climb up the old road to the lookout itself. One key appeal of this route is the shade, while the other is in running roads — old and new. All told, it worked out to be just about 13 miles on the nose, and it’s as good a run in the rain as it is on a sunny day.
The Good: Right distance, right difficulty. I’ll be honest — 13-15 miles is where I’m happiest. And really, I’m not a gazelle, so a good climb works just fine for me, too. I think I was no more than 20 minutes off my normal time for a half marathon, a lot of which was due to the shade and the road. The roads are a real plus — the old Pali Highway is a great escape for running, a chance to run an abandoned road that is still in very good shape (and that features some great scenery). And the park in Kailua is a great place to start and finish — plenty of parking, plenty of water, nice showers, clean bathrooms, and nice changing rooms.
The Bad: I don’t know if there’s such a thing as rush hour in Kailua, but if there is, running along Auloa Road might be tricky — no sidewalk, and the shoulder drops off quickly. But we are talking about Maunawili, after all — if three cars pass, I think that’d be the rush. There’s the one stretch on the old Pali Highway, where the trail goes under the new highway and careful footing is required; I can’t see it being fatal to anyone, though. Also, there’s no water along the way, nothing at Nuuanu Pali that I’ve ever found. So, you’ll need to bring whatever you may need (and with all the shade along the way, 2 liters should be enough for most days).
The Ugly: None, that I know of. Nice route, nice climb, nice quiet.
Type of route: Road Good to run in the rain? Excellent place to run in the rain.
Length: 13.1 roundtrip
Options for the route: Yep – the Waimanalo trail instead of along the roads. makes the run about 22 miles total, instead of the 13.1 miles.
Elevation change on the run: ~1100 feet up to Nuuanu Pali. Water used: 2.5 liters.
Where to start: Kailua Beach Park Where to park: Kailua Beach Park Point your car’s GPS towards: 526 Kawailoa Road at Alala Road, Kailua, Hawaii 96734
Facilities Water? Yes, at the start / finish point Toilets? Yes, at the start / finish point Medical care? No. Ranger / park folks? No. Picnic areas? Yes, at the start / finish point A place to change afterward? Yes
Rewards in the area: Step into the ocean. That works for me every time. If that’s not enough, swing my Moke’s Bread and Breakfast for some grinds; me, I’ll stick to the dip.
You’d run this route when…. you’re in the mood for a nice climb. Or you’re nursing an ankle and want to stay off the trails. Or there’s a full moon out, and not a cloud in the sky.
Though it lays dormant and seemingly forgotten, the Old Pali Highway is still in great shape, and still makes for a great place to run — so long as you’re OK with hills.
Summary: Running the Kamananui Valley Road through Moanalua Valley is a nice, shady run through relative quiet. Having been closed to the public for so long as part of the Samuel M. Damon Estate, its recent recent transition to public land makes this a great and still underutilized trail for a morning run. There are a number of trails in the valley (see below), but running the road itself offers a chance to zone out and enjoy the beauty of this valley. Add to that the length of the run, and the great infrastructure at the park at the entrance, and this is a great place for a run.
The Good: It’s quiet. Though the entrance to the valley, the lower part, is residential, sound does not penetrate up into the park area. The high walls on both sides keep out both sounds and direct sunlight (for much of the day, anyway); it’s not just quiet, it’s cool. The road is wide, and well worn; getting lost would take either talent or work. Early on, there are a few old bridges along the way; eye candy for the kids, I suppose; I’m OK running over them, but I sure wouldn’t try to drive over them. If you have an eagle eye, there are some petroglyphs (see this) worth checking out, and scattered here and there are remnants of the old estate.
The Bad: It’s an old unpaved road. Really, if you’re not paying attention, I suppose you could twist an ankle or something. And there is hunting in the area; try not to look, sound or smell like wild pig. If you’re one of those runners who wants to strip down and run naked through the woods, this is not the place for you; if the ghosts don’t get you, the packs of Korean Aunties will. Want to hear another horrible thing? There are numbered signs along the way — and no corresponding guide sheet (they are from long ago). I can tell you that #3 marks the path to one of the old homes, if that helps anyone’s OCD issues.
The Ugly: Nothing. The worst of this whole thing is that there are only 15 parking spaces at the park at the trail head, and between a few hikers, a few dog walkers, and the packs of Korean Aunties that are out in force before 9 AM every day, it can be tough getting a place to park. Oh, boo hoo. But really, if that’s the worst of it all, this place is pretty damn good.
Type of route: unpaved road Good to run in the rain? Oh, hell no. This place would be a death trap if a flash flood, um, flashed. Those signs at the entrance, about the dangers from flash floods, are clearly there for a reason.
Length: Running the road is 7.5 miles, round trip. That’s just the road, nothing else. Options for the route: Yes. You could split off at around the 2.5 mile mark, and head up the Kulana’ahane Trail. I have not done this, but looking at the map, and at Google Earth, and that it goes up to the top of the Ha`ikū Stairs, I’m betting that it is 1) not ideal for running; 2) probably a hell of a steep hike; and 3) you would very likely be at risk of falling or something along the way. At the wide bend, there’s a trail that heads off to the right (East) and up; rumor is that it goes up to Trippler.
Elevation change on the run: Around 600 feet. It does not feel like it. Water used: Out and back, about 1.5 liters. Without the direct sunlight, and the cooler temperatures of this time of year (winter), this would have been a great run to do sans camelbak.
Where to start: Moanalua Valley Park Where to park: Moanalua Valley Park (21°22’26.45″N 157°52’50.03″W)
Point your car’s GPS towards: 1880 Ala Aolani St, Honolulu, HI 96819
Facilities Water? Yes, at Moanalua Valley Park. Toilets? Yes, at Moanalua Valley Park. Medical care? No. Ranger / park folks? No. Picnic areas? Yes, at Moanalua Valley Park. Two picnic tables, and a kiddie play set. And lots of grass. A place to change afterwards? Yes, at Moanalua Valley Park. It means changing in the stall of the public restroom, but this place is low use and well maintained. Trust me — it’s not Candlestick Park at the end of the double-header (and wow, I just showed my age).
Rewards in the area: Wow, no, not really. For me, it was sitting in the shade of the giant trees and cooling down. At 9 AM, the sun was just then trying to peak over the ridgeline, and the breeze was still blowing and keeping things cool. But no, there’s no shaved ice place down the street, no Hooters, not even a guy selling Tijuana-style hot dogs from a cart.
You’d run this route when…. you want to run and totally zone out. Or, when you want some hill, but not too much — like maybe after a hell hill run the day before. Or, when you’re looking to do around 10km, but also need to do some other par-course-like exercises.
My rating: 9
Music: Social D. You can run all your life, but not go anywhere.
More reading: here and here. Info on the recent plane crash, here and here. Flickr: here and here. More photos: hereState Park Info: here and here.
That brown spot is where the plane recently crashed.
Odd facts:
H3 was suppose to go through this valley; the estate fought the proposal, citing the need to preserve the valley as a sanctuary;
The US Army helped to buy the land, in the effort to transfer it from private to public lands. Why? Well, I’ll let you read it, here.
The Damon Estate? Old money. Seriously old money. Damon was a member of the Committee of Safety that overthrewQueen Lili’uokalani. The estate had ties into First Hawaiian Bank from way back, and lots and lots of real estate. “The missionaries came to do good, and in the end, they did very well.” The estate dissolved in 2004, when Samuel Damon’s last grandchild passed away.
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