A tale of two hikes

A long day, but a wonderful day.

Our day began at 4:30 a.m. as we arose from a night of slumber to prepare for a hike to the lookout above the Makapuu Lighthouse. We joined members (Kanoa Kanahele and Gene Tamashiro) from church at the hike's start along Kalanianaole Highway at 5:20 a.m.  With the big dipper and Orion's belt clearly visible in the dark night sky, we said a prayer together and then set off up the unlit road, flashlights in hand.  It was 5:30 a.m.

Here we are with Gene Tamashiro

On the way up, Kanoa entertained us with a seemingly endless repertoire of jokes.  Meanwhile, Jacque took a near-tumble off the road since she was so engrossed in trying to figure out some do-hickey on her iPhone.  She was okay and we made it to the top before sunrise.

Gene, Kanoa, Jacque, Dayle @ the Makapu'u Lighthouse lookout.

There we met two other church members (from our stake) and then four more (from Laie) and the two more (current missionaries, one being Elder Delai who is serving in our ward).

Rosie, Cody, Gene, Kanoa, Jacque, Dayle, Elders

Here we are, with the Makapu'u lighthouse downridge below us.

Elder Delai (from Fiji)--Sunrise @ Makapu'u

After the Makapu'u hike, we headed to Iolani Palace to begin our second activity of the day: coordinating the 4-mile Ulupaina hike for the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club.  We arrived at the Palace @ 8:15, met three hikers there, then drove to Temple Valley on the windward side where sixteen other hikers were waiting for us.

By 9am, we were on the trail, which begins on the mauka side of Kahekili Highway on the Kaneohe-side boundary of the Valley of the Temples cemetery.

Ulupaina lunchspot @ the powerline towers at the base of the Koolau cliffs

We did the hike as sweeps, and spent most of the day hiking with three young ladies from Roosevelt High School and Robert, a heart & lung surgeon from the Netherlands.