Tom Tom

For some reason, we seem to try new hikes only when we're under a time constraint... like this one time when we had an hour and a half to hike part of the Tom Tom trail before work.  This hike takes at least 2 hours. The full hike can take up to 4 hours. It starts at the Makapu`u lookout and ends somewhere in Waimanalo.  However, we hiked until the top of the Kamehame trail and ran down that path to our car (park one car at the Makapu`u lookout and one at the beginning of the Kamehame trail).

This ridge hike allows you to see gorgeous views of the east side, especially Makapu`u Beach, Sea Life Park, Rabbit Island, and the beginning of Waimanalo. The shallow reef provides beautiful views of turquoise colors in the sea.  Half way through the hike, you will find a puka in the ridge.  Photo op! If careful, you can stand inside the puka.

Pointing to the end of our hike... after climbing two very steep hills

The view from the end of the hike

Sunflower Fields forever

Once a year, lovely sunflower fields bloom in the North Shore.  We've been checking last year's location every other week since the beginning of October, but still no luck.  But thanks to our friend, who spotted "fields of yellow" to the right of snake road, we found them! The fields are beautiful, and it seems as though a lot of other people have found them too.  Families with small children were exploring, as well as couples with dogs too. We took advantage of the beautiful scenery to take some photos for Daydreamers Hawaii, a clothing line handmade by one of us girls. Check out the designs for sale at www.etsy.com/shop/daydreamershawaii.

Ka`au Crater Loop Trail

This hike has everything you could want: It's a valley hike, a ridge hike, has 3 beautiful waterfalls, rope climbing on the side of a waterfall, a gorgeous crater, views of town and the east side, and every step is surrounded by beautiful foliage.  Be ready to get really close to mother nature. 

The beginning of the hike starts in the back of Palolo Valley. 

The trail follows a water pipe about half way into the valley.

 the views are beautiful

                                                                     Waterfall #1

Waterfall #2

The trail leads you up the side and onto the top of the waterfall.

Waterfall #3
Follow the rope trail up the side of this waterfall

so begins the ridge trail... the trail gets pretty steep on the way up

Ka`au Crater

lunch break at the top of the peak... views of the east side of Oahu

so begins our slippery journey back to the beginning (3 hours in)

 The ridge trail leads around the entire crater

 Back to the valley: 5 hours later, 6 miles complete

Some essentials for this hike:

- lots of water

- a lunch or snack 

- high socks or long pants 

- a bathing suit if you want to jump in the waterfalls

Start early because the entire loop takes about 5 hours to complete. 

It's completely worth it and one of one of our favorite hikes!

Waihe`e or Hamana Falls

(we're not sure which)

my favorite waterfall hike on the island.

It's beautiful, simple, and refreshing. Make a left turn after the Hygienic Store onto Waihee Dr. and park at the end of the road.  The trail is paved, but has many steep hills towards the end.  Halfway there, you will find a pool to the left of the trail by the stream.  This is where my friends learned how to make "face bubbles"? You need to see the visual reenactment.

Once you get to the falls, simply lounge to the side or stand underneath the cascading spring water. It hurts just a little, but definitely worth it.

Koko Crater Arch Hike

so... we hate stairs. 

why not go up the back of koko head instead? we started our adventure at the blow hole and hopped the guard rail at the end of cockroach cove. easy trail until the right turn to go up the ridge...




20 minutes up, and we found a gigantic arch in the mountain... photo opp

hike to the top of the ridge and take the rim trail to the end of the koko head stairs hike...

once you're at the top either backtrack... or run down the stairs like we did

after posing with the sunset, of course

lucky we live hawaii

Pali Puka Hike

Hike before work! 

Best way to start the day... 

we had a couple hours before our busy days, so why not go hiking? 30 minutes up a steep trail to the edge of the ridge led us to the puka.


What a beautiful way to see the east side.  

bffs for life