Hike with us through 50 years!
2018 marks our 50th year in Hawaiʻi! One way we will be commemorating our half-century in Hawaiʻi nei is by scheduling victory hikes throughout the state, at least one per quarter by each group. Each victory hike will celebrate the club’s past, present, and future efforts in building, protecting, preserving and/or improving a particular area.
We encourage you to attend one or more of these outings and bring along friends to join in the celebration and learn about the club’s efforts and successes. Below are 2018's first quarter (January-March) victory hikes - see you on the trails!
Oʻahu
Saturday, January 13Kahuku PointKahuku, moderate/5 miles, coastThis hike follows the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline on O‘ahu. The Sierra Club was part of a coalition that fought expansion of the Turtle Bay resort and golf courses along this coastline. We will meet and start at the Kahuku Golf Course at 8:30 am and hike north along the coast. We pass by the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge and learn about the area. With a little luck, we will see some of the numerous birds that live there. The hike continues on to the beach for a look at some historic saltpans. We will swim and lunch on the beach before continuing on to Turtle Bay. Bring plenty of water, a hat, and sunscreen. Reservations required. Leaders: Ed Mersino, 455-8193, mersino@hawaii.edu; Colleen Soares, 748-9215, csoares48@gmail.comSaturday, January 20Victory Hike: Maunawili Demonstration Trail (E/F)Windward, strenuous/10 miles, ridge/valleyMaunawili Demonstration Trail is state-maintained and traverses the breadth of upper Maunawili Valley with spectacular views of the mountains, ocean, and lush tropical valleys. The trail is a long single track contouring the Ko‘olau Mountains with varied terrain of wet gulches and open forest canopy. The Maunawili Demonstration Trail was built during the summers of 1991 to 1993. The Sierra Club built the first 9 miles of the trail, and Boy Scouts and Marines finished the last mile into Waimānalo. The club spent an additional summer in 1996 improving the first 2 miles. In 1997 and 1998, the O‘ahu Group developed the Maunawili Falls Trail and a connector trail. Meet 7 am at Waimānalo Trailhead. Reservations required. Leader: Dan Anderson, 489-1695 or danderhi@gmail.comSaturday, February 24Victory Hike: Photography Hike at Pālehua-Palikea (E)Makakilo, moderate/2 miles, ridgeReservations required at least one week prior. Contact Clyde for reservations. Space limited, so make your reservations early. The pace of photography hikes is extremely slow. Pack a camera, lunch and/or snacks, and water. Not for those uneasy about heights. Due to safety concerns, only adults will be accepted. The Oʻahu Group has made a long term commitment to work with the owners of the Gill ‘Ewa Lands to restore the native dryland forest at Pālehua. Native plants, native happy face spiders, scenic panoramas, and native tree snails are the attraction in this preserve. Leader: Clyde Kobashigawa, clydekobashigawa@hawaii.rr.com; John Shimogawa, 227-9925; Stan Oka, 429-9814; Curtis KawamotoSaturday, March 10Victory Hike: Pālehua Service Project-Trail Clearing (S)Reservations required at least one week prior. Contact John for reservations. Space is limited due to parking and also as we will be working along an existing trail that is not used very much to develop it as a fire break. Pack a lunch and /or snack and lots of water. Bring gloves, pruning saws, pruning shears, loppers, mosquito repellent, and lots of enthusiasm! The Oʻahu Group has made a long term commitment to work with the owners of the Gill ‘Ewa Lands to restore the native dryland forest at Pālehua.The area is known for beautiful scenic panoramas from the ridge overlooking Nanakuli Valley. You may also hear and see some native birds, so bring a camera too. Leaders: John Shimogawa, 227-9925; Clyde Kobashigawa, clydekobashigawa@hawaii.rr.com; Stan Oka, 429-9814; Susan Tom; Curtis Kawamoto
In the coming quarters, stay tuned for Kaʻena Point, Wiliwilinui, and more!
Kauaʻi
Friday, March 30Victory Hike: Wailua Beach To Nukoliʻi Beach Sunset to Full Moon Walk (C/E/F)East shore, easy/3 miles Meet at Lydgate Beach Park for a picnic dinner. Enjoy the full moon glistening on the ocean as we walk along the wide sandy beach. Learn about Sierra Club’s role in stopping construction of a seawall along the pristine coastline between Wailua and Nukoliʻi Beaches. The county began construction of a 6 foot high, 3/5 mile revetment along the coastline fronting Wailua Golf Course to protect the golf course back in 1996 when we discovered that it didn't have a permit. Since seawalls destroy beaches, we reported the illegal construction to the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Army Corps of Engineers. It took 3 months for DLNR to issue a cease and desist order for the removal of the seawall which had caused the beach to severely erode. If we had not intervened, the beach from Nukoliʻi to Wailua Beach would have been destroyed.Leader: Judy Dalton, 482-1129
In the coming quarters, stay tuned for Māhā’ulepū, Donkey Beach, Okolehao Trail and more!
Maui
Saturday, February 3Victory Hike: Wailea 670 Archeological Outing (C/E)South Maui, 2 milesSpecial archaeological tour with Dr. Janet Six. Visit prominent cultural complexes in the Wailea 670 preserve, including newly accessible sites. Rugged terrain. Closed shoes/boots, long pants, and good balance a must. Bring water, hiking stick, and cameras. Meet 3 pm at top of Kaukahi Rd in Wailea. Limit 18. Special donation $5 for members $10 for non-members. Leaders: Lucienne de Naie and Janet Six. Register with laluz@maui.net or 214-0147
In the coming quarters, stay tuned for Hamakualoa, Wailua Iki, Olowalu, Mākena and more!
Hawaiʻi Island
Saturday, February 24Victory Hike: Makalaweana (C/E)Easy/4 miles, coastalThe group fought a development at Makalaweana in the 80's. A zoning change was denied by Land Use Commission saving a pristine beach, reef, and large wetlands. We will hike round trip from Kahakai State Park. Bring lots of water, swim gear, and lunch. Leader: Diane Ware, 967-8642
In the coming quarters, stay tuned for Kohanaiki, Puʻu Makaʻala NARS, Pohu’e Bay and more!