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What better place in the world to go hiking and grab some scenic pictures but Hawaii! Breathtaking views of lush green foilage from high atop ridges, far above valleys and down to the deep blue ocean. It's an all in one picture perfect story to tell.
My friend Karen's husband Keith goes hiking every Saturday all over Oahu. He takes pictures and they are so beautiful they allowed me to use a bunch to do this post. Hey, these are places I wouldn't go anymore. Hiking? What's that?
To the left looking out over the Palolo/Honolulu area.
Following the Wai'oma'o Stream to the Koolau Spine will lead to Ka'au Crater. 
This is "kapu" (forbidden) watershed land. (See Update below)
On the way to the Ka'au Palolo Valley is between Waahila Ridge to the west (ewa) and Mauumae Ridge to the east (kokohead) and Ka'au is against the valley's back wall, Palikea and Lanipo sticking out from left to right along the summit spine.
According to legend, the Ka'au Crater was created by error in the island unification work by the demigod Maui. This demigod "Maui" tried to consolidate Oahu and Kauai into one single mass of land and the demigod saw this wasn't to happen when the fishing line he'd been using for this project snapped. The crater was formed when the giant hook from the fishing line sailed skyward landing in upper Palolo and forming Ka'au Crater.
Geologists tell a different story and say Ka'au Crater was formed by a volcanic eruption. It is considered to be a tuff cone with its foundation composed of mostly porous rock (smooshed volcanic ash and dust)
Along the ridge by Ka'au Crater the view to the sides, the back and to the inside of the crater along this ridge.
On the east side of the Ka'au crater you can see the summit of the Kooalu Mountain Range (and the Ka'au Crater will be on your right). Along this ridge it drops 100 ft. down and then goes up a steep finger ridge to continue on to the summit which is between 2,400 to 2,500 feet in elevation.
Somewhere along the crater is where there is this stream. This is where the water flows down to the Board of Water Supply's water shed.
There are many hiking clubs and hiking paths to enjoy on our island of Oahu. This is where you will see views like no other in the world. From the Koolau Mountain Range you can view Honolulu on one side and the Windward side on the other. Each end of the Koolau's will have views of the ocean as well.
Click here for more information on hiking trails:
Enjoy hiking and the scenery in the land of Aloha!
Watch the show below!
UPDATE 9/6/2007: The Board of Water Supply called me and said they recently posted signs in this area that there is absolutely no hiking. Please respect the land and the laws. Thank You!
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Mililani Hawaii Real Estate Blog 2007©
Century 21 Liberty Homes, Mililani, Hawaii and Office of the Military Relocation Specialists for over 32 years!
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Nice post Sally. This photo is from one of my favorite places in the world - Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii. Can probably see it from the hike you mentioned, but the view from my friends' dock doesn't take so much effort ...
You certainly live in a beautiful place WooHoo. Thanks for sharing this. It's definately better than having to hike it!!