Lava Tube & Wiliwilinui Trail Hike

It's been awhile since Vickey and I went on a hike together. She was the first one to take me on a hike last year, and ever since then I've been hooked. Last Saturday we met up and spent the morning exploring Hawaii Kai. First I showed her the lava tube I found that leads out to the ocean, then we headed up the hills to get our hiking pass for Wiliwilinui. This hike offers a 360 view. You can see from Koko Head Crater to Diamond Head, all the way around to the Pali Highway, Mount Olomana, the Mokolua Islands, and overlook the cities of Honolulu, Kaneohe, and Kailua.

 

Vickey is ecstatic to have discovered the lava tube near Sandy's.

Walk through the lava tube and you will be greeted with this ocean view. 

Make your way up to the top of the cliffs.

And see this. Vickey is pretty amazed.

I think she's in awe.

My turn.

Take a look around.

Our shadows were just right on the cliffs next to us. It made for a neat picture. [photo credit Vickey]

We climbed back up to the bridge and watched the bikers go by. [photo credit Vickey]

Then made our way to the Wiliwilinui trail. You will have to go through a security check-in through a ritzy neighborhood and receive a parking pass.

The trail is wide and starts off moderately, but soon enough we were able to get some valley views. [photo credit Vickey]

The sun was shining so we tried to get some silhouette shots. Vickey's practicing her Muay Thai moves along the ridge.

She's loving life!

You'll come across this swing on the path. It's low to the ground so you can't get a high jump off it. 

The trail turns into these steps. And the real ascent begins!

There will be some ropes to help you but we didn't need them today.

You can see Hanauma Bay Rim Trail off to the left.

Keep going past this tower.

We're at the end of the Wiliwilinui trail. Only a few steps away and you'll see...

The three peaks of Olomana! The mokes! Kailua and Kaneohe! The golf courses too.

It was a beautiful sight. 

We met a pair of hikers at the top and they took our picture. Olomana in the background.

After soaking in the view for a little while, we worked our way back down with our muddy shoes and called it a morning. (I went to work afterwards).

But first we stopped by Kahala mall to grind. We were pretty hungry after a good workout up Wiliwilinui.