Maunawili Falls Hike

Maunawili Falls Hike - its about a 3 mile hike round trip located in Kailua, Hawaii.  This hike full filled my dream of going on a hike and swimming in a waterfall at the end.  Now that is said, swimming in fresh water streams in Hawaii may not be the best idea.  They have a bacteria in the water called leptospirosis which can cause infections -really bad ones.  Anyhow, didn't stop me from going into the water but if you have unhealed cuts, sores or lesions - stay out.  Here is a link with more information : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptospirosis

So back to the hike, so when you arrive there is a small parking area up the road from the trail head.  The locals are nice enough to post warnings and safety precautions on a chalk board by where you park.  So you walk down the road a bit, go over bridge and then you finally make it to the trail head.  This hike is fun but wear proper footwear!  I have never seem soo many people slipping and sliding as I did on this hike.  Flip Flops are a NO NO!  It was extremely muddy and it will probably be muddy when you go too.  Its on the rainy side of the island.  

The hike, because of the mud, can be a little treacherous, be careful - find a walking stick if that helps.  But after an hour or so of watching your step, you will be rewarded by arriving at Maunawili Falls.  This is a very popular hike and there will be people coming and going by.  Not a good loose dog hike for sure.  It was a little cooler out the day that I went. So there wasn't really anyone but me in the water which was fine by me.  

 There is a rope and ledges to dive off of.  I am not advocating that all.  I guess the week before someone was jumping off one of the ledges and landed wrong and broke her back.  She was helicoptered out.  Be careful people.  But I guess a lot of people do jump off the sides of the waterfall.

The water as you can see is very murky and I have no idea where its deep or not, but I loved exploring anyhow.  I will definitely do this hike again for sure, if not just to go swimming again

Diamond Head Hike

Diamond Head Hike - located at Diamond Head State Park near Honolulu.  Big tourist attraction, loads of people.  They bring them in by tourist bus. There will be lot of other people on this trail.  Diamond Head is an ancient dormant volcano crater and has part section off as a military installation.

We walked from our house and added an extra mile and half to the hike.  The hike itself is pretty easy until you get to the stairs.  Ahh the stairs... nearly fainted when I saw the second set because I blazed up the first set.  Paused at the bottom of the second set before trudging on, but luckily you are near the top when done.  

I have seen other people's hiking blogs and they have wonderful pics of the views and none of themselves.  Well this is my blog and I have picts taken of me while hiking and they are usually the pics I like best... So enjoy.

 This is at the bottom of the trail where if you walk in into the park, you pay a dollar each.  Most of the trail is paved and only a slight incline.

 Views from the trail.  In the background there you see parts of Honolulu.

 A view from the very top.  Diamond head in the past was a military base, with parts of it still sectioned off from the public.

A view of Waikiki and Kapiolani Park.  It's crowded at the top, not for the claustrophobic at all.  A good beginner's hike for sure.