Hiking report
Halawa Ridge Trail offers stunning views
By Richard McMahon
• Location: Access to the trail begins from the Hawai'i Xeriscape Garden at the end of Iwaena Street in Halawa Heights.
• Description: The seven-mile hike along Halawa Ridge is one of the longer trails to the Ko'olau Summit from Honolulu, but it is also one of the easiest grades.
After the initial climb to gain the ridge line, the next four miles are an almost level stroll through some of the most secluded and prettiest light forest on O'ahu.
Many Hawai'i trails gain their beauty from their scenic views. While Halawa is certainly one of them, the trail itself is also beautiful, even divorced from its surroundings.
Cutting its way deep into the east side of the ridge, and thus protected from the view and the noise of the H-3 Freeway, it is perfectly framed by native and introduced trees, plants and ferns.
From the entrance of the Xeriscape Garden, walk down the paved road, which curves left and ends at an intersection with a grassy dirt road on the left. Follow this road a short distance to a fenced gauging station, and go around it on the right, descending to the North Halawa Stream.
Crossing the stream, the path turns left and follows the stream a short distance, veering right to a rocky bedding for the H-3 Freeway. Pass under the freeway, where a short trail through high brush leads to the paved Halawa Valley Access Road.
Turn left on this road, and cross over four numbered bridges. Just after passing bridge No. 4, watch for a trail leading right and uphill. A pink ribbon may mark the turnoff. Follow this trail carefully as it rises fairly steeply through a mostly Christmasberry forest; again the route may be marked by pink ribbons.
After about half an hour, the trail breaks out into the open at a large, metal utility pole, joining an eroded dirt road coming in from the right. Take this dirt road left and up the ridge to its end at a large rock cairn built over a geodetic marker. From here the trail continues for a short distance on the west side of the ridge, with H-3 visible at times below.
It soon crosses over to the quiet east side, where it becomes an easy, delightful stroll for the next four miles. Just about where the H-3 enters its tunnel, the trail crosses back over to the western side of the ridge.
It then begins a two-mile gradual climb, switchbacking up and across an open slope covered with uluhe, leaving the freeway far behind. The path ends at a small, grassy clearing at a low point on the Ko'olau Summit.
Below is a sweeping view of the Halawa Valley bowl, with its abandoned Coast Guard station. Across Kane'ohe Bay, the Marine Corps base seems amazingly close. It is a perfect spot for lunch, before the return trip.
• Special comments: A narrow trail on the left leads to the top of a peak with an even better view, but it is usually windy, and lacks the open space for lunch that is afforded by the clearing.
