** NOTE **
Trails are listed below solely as a guide and do not imply right to public access or safe hiking condition. HTMC accepts no responsibility for accuracy of the data listed below.
Length: 11 miles round trip
Hike difficulty: advanced
Type of hike: ungraded ridge
Locale: Windward Waianae Range above Waialua
Access: Request permission from Castle & Cooke via Dole Food Company Hawaii (637-3521)
Hazards: steep and narrow sections with many cablesDirections to trailhead: (from Honolulu) Get on the H-1 freeway heading west. Near Middle St. keep left on Rte 78 west to Aiea. By Aloha Stadium bear right to rejoin H-1 to Pearl City. Take the H-2 freeway to Wahiawa. As
the freeway ends, continue on Rte 99 north bypassing Wahiawa. Pass Schofield Barracks on the left. After the road narrows to two lanes, dips then forks take the left fork toward Waialua. Drive along the pineapple fields and
descend gradually to the north shore. Pass through an intersection with a yellow flashing light (now Farrington Hwy) then bear left at a small traffic circle under the overpass to Mokuleia. Locate Waialua High School on the left and park on the street next to the school's last lot.Hike directions: Proceed on foot along Farrington Hwy toward Mokuleia. Just past the high school turn left heading mauka (toward the mountain) on a semipaved cane road. Pass the high school football field on the left. At the end of the cane fields go through a gate. Follow the road, now dirt, as it bears right and begins to climb. A short distance later bear left and cross a wooden gate using the latter on the left side. Next, travel on a grassy road through a pasture. Beyond a watering trough bear right and climb steadily to reach the crest of a broad ridge. Bear left up the ridge on a road. Keeping to the ridge line, pass another watering trough on the right then work your way through a grove of trees. Arrive at the Mokuleia Forest Reserve boundary marked by an old wood-and-wire fence. Climb over the broken down gate and follow the ridge all the way to the top of Mount Ka'ala. Upon
reaching the Mount Ka'ala Rd., walk up the road and turn right near the FAA radar installation main gate to visit the bog. Otherwise, continue straight and skirt the FAA facility on the left tramping along the outside of the fence to a magnificent overlook.Hike description: Dupont is the finest hike on the Waianae Range and one of the best on Oahu. It takes you to the summit of Mount Ka'ala, Oahu's highest peak (elev. 4,025 ft). The trail features a 4000 elevation gain and passes through cane fields, cattle pasture, dry-land forest, and rain forest. On the summit plateau is a cool, misty bog with an incredibly rich variety of native plants. The views from the overlook on top are breath-taking of the
entire north shore, the towns of Waialua and Hale'iwa as well as the Wahiawa Plain and Ko'olau Range in the distance to the right.
P.Rorie 3/99