Kaiwa Ridge Trail
(Keolu Hills)

Trailhead

Description: Kaiwa Ridge is the most prominent ridge of Keolu Hills and is what separates the beach-front Lanikai community from Bellows Air Field, Kailua, and Keolu. This trail travels up the main spine of Keolu Hills to some spectacular ocean views. This trail is also informally called "Lanikai Hills". What to Expect: If you have any experience with Oahu's trails, this is the antithesis to them - at least in terms of moisture and vegetation. That is because there is none. This is perhaps the most dusty trail you can find on the island! Expect to alternate between kicking up puffs of pillowy, fine-grain dirt and stepping over hard, craggy granite. And while this trail can be steep in a few spots, the angle does not become sharp enough to require four-point climbing. So why is this trail so popular (with its multiple entry points)? The location and small size makes it ideal for nearby residents to include it with their daily workouts. The quick climb to the top makes it attractive to neighborhood kids who often escape here in the cool evenings. But during the day, the 360-degree, panoramic views are simply fantastic and the greens of nearby Bellows AFB pine forests and the Koolau cliffs, the deep blue hues of the Pacific Ocean, the browns and reds of the Mokulua Islets, Mokapu Peninsula, and Rabbit (Manana) Island, and the yellows/whites of the coastal beaches before you clash in such photographic spendor! You don't seem to lose the urban element no matter how far you get along this trail. At the onset, if you don't smell the feral cats' droppings or see their avian meal leftovers scattered about, the fence and electric pole reminds you of your metropolitan environs. The higher you go, the more roads, houses, and condos you see (and hear). Of course, don't forget the concrete, graffiti-smacked pillboxes at the top. It will take the average hiker about 30 minutes (or less) to hike from the trailhead to the top (second) pillbox (elev. 565-ft). It is another 10 minutes to reach the ridge's highest point (elev. 603-ft) marked by a geodetic marker (the small concrete platform with broken surveyor's pole). Finally, a romantic location in the evening you think? You bet! But don't be surprised if you find yourselves with company up there as other couples frequent this trail, too. In fact, you may find about 30 or 40 hikers doing an evening hike here because it is often scheduled as a hiking club's moonlight excursion. Trailhead Location: The "official" trailhead, despite being unmarked, is about 40 feet uphill a paved, private driveway along Kaelepulu Drive. The driveway is opposite of the Mid Pacific Country Club & Golf Course just before you reach an exclusive, gated community. There are other entry points in Keolu, Lanikai, and Bellows. Accessing the Trail: Access to this trail is currently open as it is an official Na Ala Hele trail. Its being a Na Ala Hele trail is not obvious: there are no posted metal signs typical to all State-DLNR trails. Property/Access: Official, open/public access is only from the Kaelepulu Drive trailhead to the first pillbox and is under the jurisdiction of Na Ala Hele. However, while the trail is in the State's inventory, it is still designated unimproved and unmaintained. Only the access issue has been taken care of. Dangers/Other Considerations: As with all hiking, exercise caution and prudent judgement.