Along the Trail
The Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club Newsletter


April - May - June 2001

 

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT: Patrick Rorie

Greetings fellow members of the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club. If you haven't noticed already, we are in the midst of a hiking renaissance. Seventy people participated in the Olomana outing on Christmas Eve with 30 reaching the summit of the 3rd peak, and we now have 500 members in our club. HTM is alive and well thanks to the efforts of the many individuals who volunteer their time and energy. No shame! Get involved!

A silver lining in the Opae'ula fencing project has been the improved dialogue with Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate, which may lead to the reopening of trails to our club that have been closed for the past several years (i.e. Kawainui, Kawai Iki, Opae'ula, Kawailoa, and Mokule'ia). Interest in backpacking appears to be on the rise; therefore, Grant Oka and myself plan on building and populating a database of HTM backpackers for the purpose of scheduling neighbor island trips. Look for an article in this edition of "Along the Trail" and respond appropriately.

 

LIABILITY INSURANCE Steve Brown

Some club members have recently suggested that HTMC purchase whatever insurance is necessary to allow us to hike trails that are denied to us because of lack of liability coverage. This is a question that the HTMC Board of Directors has previously dealt with several times and at great length. Over time, we have been able to obtain increased levels of insurance, but not enough to satisfy certain landowner liability requirements. At present, it does not appear possible for us to acquire the necessary coverage, not because we are reluctant to spend the money, but because insurance companies will not sell our club the amount required.

 

The Sierra Club, part of a large, national organization, has significant insurance, beyond what we are able to acquire. This allowed them to obtain access for a while, but even they have been denied access recently, at the whim of the landowner, who is not required to justify his decision. At present, it does not seem worthwhile to continue to try to obtain increased insurance, which in the end may not result in increased access.

 

WANTED: HTMC BACKPACKERS! Grant Oka

Attention backpackers or anyone interested in backpacking. We need your help to populate an HTM backpacker database. Why? For the purpose of scheduling neighbor island trips. The number of participants for said trips will be limited, and we don't want the same people on every trip. In other words, we're looking for a good combination of new backpackers and seasoned veterans to visit Hawaii's two national parks and perhaps the Na Pali Coast, among other locations. Please snail mail or e-mail your name, mailing address, e-mail address if you have one, phone number and skill level (listing a few trips you've already done wouldn't hurt) to HTMC P.O. Box 2238 Honolulu, HI 96804 or OkaGA@phnsy.navy.mil and we'll get back to you.

 

KO`OLAU SUMMIT TRAIL HISTORY Stuart Ball

Since there has been so much interest in the Ko`olau Summit Trail recently, I thought a short history might make for good reading and also provide background on some of today's trail issues. Here is the first installment:

"For those daring adventurers who love to push through brush and slop through mud for 26 miles and still keep a good disposition."

--HTMC Schedule, July 1970

I. Pupukea-Kahuku Trail (1924- 1926)

On 9 April 1924 Charles S. Judd, Superintendent of Forestry, inspected the completed portion of a trail that the U.S. Army was building above Kahuku town. Accompanying him on the hike were Major General Charles P. Summerall, Commander of the Hawaiian Department, and several other Army officers. Judd disliked the newly cut route because it passed through prime `ohi`a forest in the proposed Kahuku Forest Reserve. He explained to the Army officials that the native vegetation would suffer from aggressive, alien plants introduced by soldiers, hikers, and other trail users. Since the route was justified only for military reasons, Judd requested that the Army restrict trail use to military exercises only. He even sent a letter outlining the discussion to Governor Farrington for further action.

Despite Judd's concerns, Army engineers finished the 6-mile Pupukea-Kahuku Trail later that year. The 5-foot wide, graded route started at the Pupukea Forest Reserve boundary by the end of the dirt homestead road at elevation 983 feet. The trail climbed gradually along the Ko`olau summit ridge, skirting Kaleleiki and Paumalu drainages. Past Pu`u Moa, the route left the main ridge and crossed Kaunala and `O`io Streams below their sources. The trail then climbed steadily to a side ridge with a broad windward overlook.

From the lookout the route turned left down the side ridge and forded `Ohi`a `Ai Stream. The trail then descended the side ridge on the right of the stream to the proposed Kahuku Forest Reserve boundary at elevation 840 feet. There the route connected with a dirt road leading to Kahuku town through pineapple fields, and the sugarcane fields of Kahuku Plantation Company.

On 11 November 1924 the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club (HTMC) hiked the Pupukea-Kahuku Trail for the first time. Early that morning 34 members and guests, including 18 women, met at the Army-Navy YMCA and boarded a bus for the around-the-island trip. After passing Waimea Bay, the bus turned right by the train depot and labored up the dirt homestead road through pineapple fields surrounded by windbreaks. At the end of the road by a water tank was the start of the new trail.

Guiding the hike were H. L. Thompson and Fred E. Truman, sometime poet and humorist. Truman loved to tell tall stories and play pranks on novice hikers. He joked that a first class guide must show "nerve and pep" to gain the confidence of the group and keep it amused. Also along that day were Thomas R. L. McGuire, O`ahu Forest Ranger and R. J. Baker, photographer and future president of the club.

After filling canteens at the water tank, the HTMC group strolled excitedly along the wide and easy contour trail. Open sections on the summit ridge provided sweeping views of the north shore. From the windward overlook the hikers saw Kahuku town and mill, the wireless station, and the Mormon Temple, white against the surrounding cane fields. The way down was cool and shady under tall `ohi`a trees, kukui with bird's nest fern, and groves of mountain apple. After a road walk through the plantation, the hikers boarded the autobus in Kahuku for the return trip along the windward coast and over Nu`uanu Pali to downtown Honolulu. The trip was undoubtedly a success, as the club hiked the Pupukea-Kahuku Trail annually during the late 1920s and early 1930s.

The Division of Forestry used the trail periodically to access the Pupukea Reserve and the newly created Kahuku Reserve for tree planting and fence repair. On 17 November 1926 Judd inspected the two reserves while his crew planted 50 Cook pines in the open areas along the Pupukea summit section of the trail. Judd noted no evidence of cattle on the Pupukea side but found signs of grazing near the trail above Kahuku.

(to be continued)

 

Next: Part II - Pig Hunter Trails and Cabins (1927-1932); stay tuned for the further adventures of Forester Judd, Ranger McGuire, Special Hunter Mendes, General "Hell's Bells" Wells, CCC luna Olson, and our own Dick Davis.

References:

Handy, E. S. Craighill. The Hawaiian Planter. Bernice P. Bishop Museum, 1940.

Hawaiian Avocado Company. The Green Gold of the Tropics. 1934.

Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club. Hike schedules and records. 1924-1934, 1970.

Judd, Charles S. "Hiking on O`ahu Reveals Beauties of Nature in Friendly Mountains." Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 23 May 1936.

Judd, Charles S. "Report of the Superintendent of Forestry, April 1924." The Hawaiian Forester and Agriculturist, xxi (7), April-June 1924.

Judd, Charles S. "Report of the Superintendent of Forestry, November 1926." The Hawaiian Forester and Agriculturist, xxiii (4), October-December 1926.

Meadows, Edmund J. O`ahu Trails. circa 1930.

Truman, Fred E. "Trail-Knife Cuttings." Paradise of the Pacific, February, 1926.

United States Geological Survey. 1:20,000 topographic maps (Hale`iwa, Kaipapa`u, and La`ie quadrangles). 1928-1930.

 

JAY FELDMAN'S RULES OF HIKING

To insure no injuries, always hike alone. You will only hurt yourself when at least four people are watching.

Mosquitoes are attracted to all forms of repellent except for Deet. Deet, however, is carcinogenic.

In every great photo of fellow hikers, at least one person is either picking his nose or flipping you a bird.

If you want to be sure your car won't be broken into, leave the glove compartment open, the doors unlocked, a window partially open, and the car in your garage.

Nine times out of ten you will instantly contaminate your water purifier when you accidentally dip the output tube in the stream.

 

JOIN THE FRIENDS OF HAIKU STAIRS Patrick Rorie

Imagine scaling a sheer, windward Ko'olau cliff without the use of technical climbing aides. Impossible you say! Not if you're on the "trail" in Haiku Valley. Actually, it's not a trail at all but a man-made staircase/ladder stretching from the valley floor to within a stone's throw of Pu'u Keahi a kahoe (elev. 2,820 ft), the mist-shrouded peak at the back of Moanalua Valley. Surely you've heard of it, the Haiku Stairs!

Built in the 1950's, the "Stairway to Heaven" has fallen into disrepair and requires much needed attention. That's where you come in. An organization called Friends of Haiku Stairs (FHS) is conducting a membership drive to raise awareness and support for the structure.

FHS is a non-profit corporation whose purpose is to preserve and maintain the Haiku Stairs for public use. The board of directors and steering committee are composed of directors from hiking and conservation organizations, and members of the local community. The Friends has advocated and participated in preservation and repair of the stairs, and cooperated with neighborhood groups in planning for its access and use.

In recent months, the Friends have sponsored workdays on the stairs in preparation for contractors to begin repairs. The results were a trail to the base of the stairs, removal of overgrown vegetation along its route, and excavation of stair treads filled in by erosion. Also, volunteers carried out hundreds of pounds of trash that had accumulated at the top.

Future endeavors will include continued advocacy for the stairs in the community and before government agencies, so that reasonable trailhead access to the stairs is provided. Once repairs are complete, which is estimated to occur sometime in 2002, the Friends will work with the managing agency to help maintain the stairs, and to provide information resources for climbers, promoting safety and an appreciation of the human and natural history richly portrayed along its route.

Without citizen action, the stairs would have been destroyed. FHS continues to be involved in the planning of the recreational facilities developing within Haiku Valley. The Friends must make sure that this unique resource continues to be available for public use. FHS support includes volunteer projects needed to keep the stairs a safe and enjoyable public resource. Participation in the development of the Park will assure that the public has a respected voice in the way the Park is implemented. Your support is essential. When an organization tries to influence public policy, their influence is in direct proportion to the size of the organization.

Your membership in Friends of Haiku Stairs will help save the stairs. While your affiliation is vital, your membership dues will help FHS continue to develop educational programs, participate with government agencies and make sure the stairs and the native forest they provide access to will receive the stewardship they require.

Please join the Friends of Haiku Stairs.

========================

Member $15

Family $25

Supporting Member $50

Sustaining Member $100

Life Member $500

========================

Send a check or money order to

Friends of Haiku Stairs

P.O. Box 4715

Kaneohe, HI 96744

You'll receive a membership card and a monthly newsletter. Meetings are held once a month to discuss the current status of the stairs and what action volunteers can take to further the cause of repairing and reopening this unique hiking treasure.

 

CLUBHOUSE NEEDS Alex Broadfoot

Mahalo to volunteers who made significant improvements during last two Clubhouse workdays. Please let us know your e-mail address so we can keep you informed about Clubhouse workday dates and activities.

The Clubhouse needs the following new or used donations:

1) small bookshelf speakers (for 35 watt public address system)

2) fall arrest or climbing harness

3) wet / dry vacuum cleaner

4) upright vacuum cleaner

5) garden pick

Please phone me at 945-3973 if you can help with any of these items.

Mahalo to Ralph Valentino, Gerald Leao, Deetsie Chave, Jay Feldman, John Hall, and Magnolia Tiquen for much appreciated items.

 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Hike Scheduling

This comment pertains to a special circumstance that has occurred with the club hike schedule. Sunday hikes on January 21, 2001 and January 28,2001 were limited to 15 hikers and 30 hikers respectively.

Through the efforts of Dale Turner and Justin O'Hara, the past and present membership chairs, the ranks of the club seem to be holding at well above the 400 mark. With a membership that size and being an open group who promotes hiking by encouraging members of the general public to participate, it seems that on days when the hikes are limited to a certain number by reason of difficulty or access, the club might be well served to offer alternative hikes, open to more people.

I hope this will be taken as a positive suggestion and not as criticism of those hard-working folks who schedule our outings.

Fred Boll

 

COME PLAY VOLLEYBALL

For many years,some club members, along with occasional guests, have been playing volleyball on Saturday afternoons, rain or shine, at the clubhouse court. There is no league atmosphere, and play is most informal. Any adult with some volleyball experience is welcome, but do note that we play Men's Rules, which means that spiking at the net is allowed. All club members and their volleyball-playing friends are welcome. Members are free, but all "on grounds" guests are $2 per visit, as you know. We officially begin at 3 PM, but it is sometimes 3:30 befoe we get under way. No reservations are needed. Most players wear some sort of footwear, as there is a variety of foreign objects buried in our sand. Any questions, please call Jack Telaneus at 395-3315, evenings are best. SEE YOU THERE!

 

ALONG THE TRAIL

ALONG THE TRAIL is a quarterly publication of the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club designed to inform the membership of club activities and matters of interest to the hiking community. HTMC members and any other interested parties are welcome to submit articles to ALONG THE TRAIL. Submissions must be received by the 5th day of March, June, September, and December in order to appear in the newsletter published for that quarter, and may be sent in any of the following ways (email preferred):

 

 

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS

HTMC members and any other interested parties are welcome to submit articles to ALONG THE TRAIL, the HTMC Newsletter. Submissions may be sent in any of the following ways (E-Mail preferred):

E-Mail: Richard27@prodigy.net
Computer diskette: MS/DOS [3.5"]
FAX: 293-2603
Phone: 293-2554
Mail: Richard McMahon
57-531 Kamehameha Hwy
Kahuku, HI 96731-2128



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Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club
P.O. Box 2238
Honolulu, HI 96804

Clubhouse: 41-023 Puuone St
Waimanalo, HI 96795
Phone: 259-5443

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