Olomana had been on my hiking bucket list for 3 or 4 years. Every time I drive through Kailua my eyes automatically are drawn to its majestic beauty. Mentally it terrified me, because I wanted so bad to climb it, however the history of deaths at this location intimidated me and I let my fear & absence of fearless hiking partners keep me from the challenge. Finally the day had come! My fit and fearless friends invited me to join in an Olomana adventure after I had mentioned my desire to complete this hike. On the plus side, although early January when it’s typically rainy, it was dry and clear. We met at Maranda’s house and were treated to delicious pancakes with fruit! We loaded up our gear and headed over the Pali to Olomana Golf Club. After a short paved walk we turned onto the trail. It was muddy at the beginning, but was not terribly slick. After a short distance we started the climb up to the first peak (Olomana). This ropes section was relatively easy for the first peak, with only about 15 – 20 feet to scramble. Those of you with a fear of heights or limited ropes ability may opt to stop at this first peak for the next two are increasingly more challenging.
While on this hike it struck me that even though I had been intimidated I found the actual hike to be much less scary than anticipated. Isn’t this how life is in a way? My biggest challenge is in overcoming the fear of the what if’s!! My two friends are more fit, and younger, than me so I had little time for messing around taking photographs because I needed to keep up! I found my favorite view on the second peak (Paku’i) and captured the third peak backdropped by the glorious Ko’olaus and I framed it with trees in the foreground. I did find it funny when I saw this capture reproduced by a couple of other local photographers on instagram in the next few weeks, so maybe they found this to be a cool vantage point as well.
When we arrived at the trail for the third peak (Ahiki), I now understood why I’d received many warnings regarding this hike. I could see how “one slip and down the hole you’d fall. Sorry, my brain is constantly pulling up those song lyrics, Pink Floyd, btw. A fair amount of upper body strength is needed for the third peak for in this entire section one relies on the ropes. Using my hands for anything besides holding on was necessary so I have few photos of this part. Once you descend, it is on to narrow ledges around a rock finger with wildflowers hanging off the edge and the birds below you. Overcoming this challenge at the moment was surreal in a transcendent way. After the sketchy rock finger the ascent begins to the peak of the third peak. More upper body and a few scary edges, no ankle turning here and for goodness sake hold on and take your time! The view is glorious, the feeling is euphoric, the company was perfect; quiet and contemplative.
On the return, I was a bit of a slow poke and tried to capture more of Olomana Trail and the views. We had a fun time and what a sense of accomplishment I felt! We finished off with a bit of foraging and gathering and a bit of silliness. Honestly, I recommend that you only do this hike if you are a confident hiker and have already completed some of Oahu’s more challenging trails. Mud, crumbling and eroding trails, slippery rocks and the sheer drop off’s of Oahu’s trails are no joke and not to be attempted by the foolish. Olomana is amazing and what a beautiful Oahu treasure to be respected and revered.
