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!