Aloha, My Hiking Cousin, Darrell

Pali Puka Lookout

Cousin Darrell, rest in Aloha.

When I hiked on Oahu,
my cousin Darrell hiked with me to keep me company and look out for me. 

I will miss him and will always remember his quiet confidence.

At the base of Mount Olympus summit

Hanauma Bay Rock Bridge

Peacock Flats hike

Aiea Loop Hike

Descending Pali Puka
(Pali Highway in background)

Mount Olomana 

Mount  Kaala

Lulumahu Falls - testing his underwater SmartPhone

Hike up to the Haiku Stairs via Moanalua Middle Ridge

Haiku Stairs Descent (video)

Here's a list of all the hikes that cousin Darrell and I did. We also had great company with us as well - mahalo to Neil for joining us on these fun hikes.

2014
Manoa Falls
Aiea Loop
Awawaloa (Mt. Olympus, 2,486 ft)
Peacock Flats

2013
Crepes and Lulumahu Falls
Mt. Olomana (1,643 ft) 
Mt. Ka'ala (4,025 ft)
Pali Puka (1,670 ft)
Koko Head/Hanauma Bay Rock Bridge (642 ft) - Views of Hanauma Bay, Portlock, Hawaii Kai, Maunalua Bay, Diamond Head/Koko Crater and Koko Head
Kuli'ou'ou Ridge (2,064 ft) - Views of the back of Diamond Head/Koko Crater and Koko Head and Kuli'ou'ou Valley
Haiku Stairs (2,800 ft) & Pu’u Keahi a Kahoe (2,820 ft) - Extreme ridge hiking  (3 videos)

Crepes, Lulumahu Falls - Hiking

Lulumahu Falls 
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Danger: Low to High (slippery, muddy spots along trail, several water crossings, potential loose rocks/debris at top of waterfall)

My last day of hiking on O’ahu was spent with Neil and my cousin Darrell. Delicious crepes, hiking a beautiful lush valley and great hiking companionship....what more could a girl ask for!

The morning started off with Neil treating us to a pre-hike breakfast at Crepes No Ka Oi in Kailua. I have to admit, I’ve never been to a Creperie and I didn’t know what to expect. But Neil highly recommended this eatery, and I’m sure glad we ate there. We got there 5 minutes before they opened and Neil pointed out the menu that was posted in the window. I was surprised to find out that they also made meat crepes. Neil suggested the Popeye’s Power crepe made with fresh spinach, sautéed onions, melted Jack and Cheddar cheeses, honey ham with a side of Hollandaise sauce. I love fresh spinach so Popeye’s it is! 

It was fun to watch them make the crepes on these special griddles.

Popeye’s Power Crepe - it was a simple, but filling meal. Actually, I couldn’t eat the entire crepe. Just under the orange slice there is a white orchid and its edible – it tastes like lettuce! 

Berry Heavenly Crepe  - a Hawaiian sugar crepe topped with fresh raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries topped with whipped cream and powdered sugar! (sorry for the blurry iPhone photos!)

The place is cozy, but very clean with lots of good light and local paintings on the walls. I really love the crepes here, better than pancakes anytime. Can’t wait to eat here again when I come to visit O’ahu! Afterwards Neil took us to hike to Lulumahu Falls and to Kaniakapupu (the ruins of King Kamehameha’s III summer home), both in Nu’uanu Valley.

The trail leading to the falls is a beautiful walk in the woods! 

Strawberry Guava and Wild Awapuhi grow alongside some portions of the trail.

There were several stream crossings and this hike is easy with slight elevation gain.   

Darrell testing his smartphone underwater