** 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: 8 miles round trip
Hike difficulty: intermediate
Type of hike: valley
Locale: Hau'ula
Access:
Hazards:
- Avoid crossing high or fast running streams.
- Be aware of potential for rock slides from above.
- Possible leptospirosis infection from fresh water.
Directions to trailhead: Drive north up the windward coast to the town of Hau’ula along Kamahamaha Highway (#83). Just before the Hau’ula Shopping Center is a Kentucky Fried Chicken, and the street just before the KFC is Kawaipuna Street. Turn on it and follow its winding course until you come to the chained road. Park and proceed up the concrete road. You will pass a large water tank on the right and the road will turn to gravel and then dirt. You will pass a grove of Hau trees on the right that hides the trail that leads up to a grove of Ironwood trees and the start of Kaipapa’u Ridge hike.
Ignore this temptation and very soon you will notice an obvious turnoff to the left.Continue past this to the second even more obvious turnoff and follow it to Kaipapa’u stream and the beginning of the hike.Hike directions and description: The stream bed may very well be dry, if so proceed mauka up the right branch. There should be a number of ribbons along the entire trail to show you the way. If the stream is flowing heavily and above mid-shin level, reconsider this hike. Surely the water will be higher and faster as you proceed and become eventually dangerous, not a good idea for a stream hike.
Otherwise continue along the trail which will spend most of the time on either the left or right bank of the stream, and crossing the stream to get to the other side. You will pass through groves of hau, lots of christmasberry, guava, rose-apple (the fruit is excellent eating), and some very old and large mango trees. You’ll also notice several low lying flat areas covered with honohono grass, looking very suitable for campsites.
Like most gulch hikes you can expect to cross and re-cross Kaipapa’u stream a number of times as the trail leads you along either bank finding the most passable route upstream. The last mile or so the walls of the gulch will begin to get higher and closer in. You will spend a lot more energy “rock-hopping” up the stream bed. Remember, stream rocks, when wet are VERY slippery, step slowly and carefully. Many a hiker, even the most experienced, has gone ‘down’ on wet rocks. It’s a good idea to change into tabis (reef walkers) or even to do the entire hike in them.
Depending on stream conditions, there should be a number of lovely stream pools along the trail, many contain a variety of marine life. A cooling dip is often helpful, just be aware of the potential danger of Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease sometimes found in fresh water pools (it can gain entrance through your mouth or the smallest skin cuts). Eventually, you will arrive at the end of the gulch hike. Hopefully, you will be greeted by a flowing 90’ high waterfall and plunge pool that is well over your head if you choose to go in.
Depending on your skills and the trail conditions you can expect a two to three hour hike out following the same trail you used coming in. Enjoy the waterfall and pool but be sure to leave with plenty of daylight left.
J. Feldman. 6/6/99