Hike to Malaekahana pool well worth the effort
By Richard McMahon
Special to The Advertiser
A spotlight of a trail, courtesy of author Richard McMahon
LOCATION: The trailhead is reached from the end of Po'ohaile St. in La'ie. Park at the ballfield on the left. Walk through the yellow gate at the end of Po'ohaile and follow a line of utility poles to two gates where the road forks.
Walk around the right gate, and continue to a white sign on the left that points uphill to the La'ie Trail. Do not take this, but continue along the road, going left at the first intersection, and right at the next two, reaching a gate on the left.
Proceed through the gate; the deteriorated dirt road becomes the Malaekahana Trail.
DESCRIPTION: Don't be discouraged by the walk along the road at the beginning of this round-trip hike that goes seven miles; it leads to one of the more beautiful, isolated pools on 'Oahu.
Following the dirt road, the route soon traverses an eroded slope, enters an ironwood grove, and then follows a ridge line, alternating between open uluhe-covered knolls and forest.
There are good views of the coastline and the Ko'olaus as the trail rises and the ridge narrows.
Nearly two hours into the hike, the trail forks. A green sign points left to the summit and right to the pool.
The descent to the pool is steep, narrow, and often muddy and slippery. At one of the steepest points, a stout rope provides assistance. The climb down will take between 20 and 30 minutes, depending upon trail conditions. At the slow-flowing stream, a small pool beckons, but the most beautiful spot lies just ahead.
Cross the stream and follow the trail leading right (downstream). In less than three minutes, you reach a spot where the stream drops to a lovely pool about 15 feet below.
The fearless can jump from here into the deep pool, while the more cautious can climb carefully down the steep right side of the stream to enjoy the pool from a natural dam. From here, a second pool appears below — too shallow for jumping.
SPECIAL COMMENTS: Permission for this hike must be obtained from Hawai'i Reserves, telephone, 293-9201.
Hikers may also opt for a 12-mile round trip to the top of the Ko'olau summit, connecting to the Ko'olau Summit Trail. This is a long, up-and-down slog through a seldom visited forest in northeastern O'ahu.
