Kolowalu Trail

Trailhead

Description: What to Expect: Unfortunately, this trail is not inspiring and leaves much to be desired. It has neither views, streams or pools, windswept ridges, nor any interesting forest life. You are not rewarded with anything spectacular when you reach the top. And, unlike it's "sister" trail on the opposite side of the valley (Aihualama Trail), it does not make the climb with any gentle grace (or switchbacks). Once you reach and pass the lower trailhead junction, the ascent begins immediately. The angle-of-climb is borderline gentle during the first climb, but you don't stop ascending as you proceed further into the trail. There really are no flat, even lengths on this trail. As you proceed past the midway point, the angle-of-ascent increases quite significantly. The long, sharp climb's steepness comes close to requiring four-point climbing but stays just below that threshold - so your hands manage to stay clean all the way through the trail. There are no level spots until a short section just before reaching the top. Think of this trail for what it is: a connector trail from the Manoa Valley floor to the top of Waahila Ridge. Trailhead Location: The official lower trailhead is the right-side (mauka) option of at a trail fork. The other trail (left) is the Puu Pia trail (another Na Ala Hele trail). There once was another trailhead to the Kolowalu Trail, but it has since been re-routed to the current location. The upper trailhead is a well-defined junction with posted signs marking the combined ends of the (official) Waahila Ridge and Kolowalo Trails. http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Oct/29/ln/ln01a.html Accessing the Trail: Property/Access: Closed/private property. Majority landowner: Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate, multiple individual lessees Dangers/Other Considerations: While this trail is well-constructed, decades of neglect have caused this trail to become extremely overgrown and replete with slide-outs. As with all hiking, exercise caution and prudent judgement.