Posted on: Friday, January 2, 2004

THE HIKING REPORT
A spotlight of a camp site, trail or other hiking information
Oneawa Hills provide strenuous hike despite unimposing height

By Richard McMahon

LOCATION: The trail begins at the Friendship Garden on Kokokahi Street, off Kane'ohe Bay Drive, on the windward side of O'ahu. It follows the ridge formed by the Oneawa Hills, then descends to the end of Lipalu Street.

Parking is difficult on Kokokahi Street. If possible, arrange a dropoff at the trailhead and a later pickup at Lipalu.

ROUTE DESCRIPTION: The Oneawa Hills form the long, low ridge that divides Kailua from Kane'ohe, generally paralleling H-3 Freeway. Although their highest point is only 942 feet, the three-mile hike along the ridge line provides a fairly strenuous workout. There are some exposed, narrow places on the trail, making it unsuitable for small children, or those uncomfortable with heights.

At the Friendship Garden (a neighborhood beautification project), a narrow stone stairway starts up the hillside. Thick, tropical plantings mark both sides of the stairs, which soon turn into a path that switchbacks through bamboo and other vegetation, reaching a point on the ridge overlooking the Kawainui Marsh in Kailua. Turning right along the ridge line, the trail then begins a leg-stretching, strenuous climb to the first of six small hilltops it will scale. From here, the route follows the ridge line, with fine views over both Kane'ohe and Kailua, and a fascinating look down into the huge pit of the Kapa'a Quarry, not visible from the road.

A series of ropes provide assistance at the steepest downward places, and the trail then follows a white plastic pipeline along the rim of the quarry.

Narrow, crumbly spots require caution here. After passing an abandoned tank on the right, the trail reaches what appears to be a remnant of a dirt road.

Follow the water pipe right and up, watching for two places on the right that will require climbing back up to the pipeline, with the aid of a short rope.

Once on the final hilltop, which is the only one shaded by small trees, the trail turns right and down. The route descends steeply at first, aided by more ropes, but gradually levels out as it traverses a mixed forest. At a trail junction, take the right fork, and the woods soon give way to an open, fern-covered slope, where a small copse of ironwood trees appears about half a mile to the right front. The trail now leads to a small, eroded lip. Turn right here, through the right side of the ironwood grove, and down another fern and widelia-covered slope. Turn right into a concrete drainage ditch, which exits at the dead end of Lipalu Street.

SPECIAL COMMENTS: Take the time to visit the Kawa'ewa'e Heiau, only a five-minute walk away. The trail begins on the opposite side of Lipalu Street, rising gradually to the imposing stone structure with a commanding view over a large section of Kane'ohe.