Photo: George Ripplinger It's Not Just Waikiki: Hiking & Touring Oahu, Hawaii Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 08045A Price: $1,995 Deposit: $200 Capacity: 12 Leader:
The Trip
 Photo: George Ripplinger Never been to Hawaii? Never stayed on Oahu because you’ve heard it’s tacky and overrun with tourists? Come to the “gathering place” and discover why it’s your leader’s favorite island. We will go to uncrowded beaches where locals outnumber tourists. We will hike to panoramic views of the island and the sea. We will hike to waterfalls that will refresh us. We will snorkel far from the crowds of Hanauma Bay. We will visit local attractions that are truly worth the visit. Our shared condominiums will be near the beach. Our meals will be banquets
of local fish, fruit and produce, melding Asian and Hawaiian influences.
Tuna, mangoes,
papaya, rice. There is a two-day service project in the planning stages.
Day 2: We will start the day with a hike to the top of Diamond Head, ubiquitous symbol of Hawaii, followed by a walking tour of Waikiki and lunch on the beach. The afternoon will be spent visiting the sights of downtown Honolulu, including the Iolani Palace where the last monarch of Hawaii held court; Kawaiaha'o Church and Mission Cemetery; and the Mission Houses Museum. Day 3: We will make an early morning visit to the Arizona Memorial, and tour the Battleship Missouri. A drive through the Pearl Harbor Naval Base is a possibility. The afternoon will be reserved for beach time. Day 4: We'll take a hike chosen by the group, possibly in Makiki-Tantalous, including a bamboo forest (Pu’u Keahi a Kahoe) with time for the beach in the afternoon. Day 5: We’ll drive to the Windward side of the island, take a hike (possibly Ko’olaupoko or the Old Pali Road), and spend the afternoon at Bellows Beach. Day 6: Today we will move to the North Shore, location of Sunset Beach and Pipeline. The surf should be relatively high this time of year and we may see excellent surfers and wind surfers in action. We’ll snorkel and swim at Shark’s Cove. Day 7-8: we will visit some historical sites on the
windward side of the island such as Haiku Gardens and Valley of the Temples.
A short hike on Sunday, possibly Kawainui or Day 9: This will be another hiking day. We may hike Pu’u Piei, Hau’ula-Papali or the Ma’akua Gulch. As always, staying on the beach is an option for anybody who wants to skip the hike. Day 10: This is our last full day. The group will be split into a beach group and a hiking or sight-seeing group, depending on how people want to spend their last full day in Hawaii. Day 11: Today we leave beautiful Oahu. If there is time before your flight, we will visit the Bishop Museum and hang out at the beach until it’s time to say Aloha. Getting There The starting point for this trip is Honolulu International Airport. Travel to the starting point is the responsibility of the trip participants and is not covered in the trip cost. Many airlines fly to Hawaii. Watch for sales, especially from the West and West Coast. If you plan to use frequent flyer miles, make your reservations as far out as possible. Most airlines allow reservations 12 months in advance.
We will be staying in condominiums near the beach in Honolulu and on the North Shore. There will be opportunities for couples to share a sleeping area, but it may be necessary for singles to share. There will be at least four people in each two-bedroom unit. Most meals will be prepared at the condos with packed lunches. The meals will feature local fresh fish, fruit and produce as much as possible. The island is a true garden and the variety of fish is a gourmet’s delight. Participants will be asked to assist the cook approximately two days. The menu will be vegetarian friendly.
Any reasonably fit person will enjoy this trip. We will make final decisions on the hikes after we know the fitness, experience level and interests of the group. There are many choices for hikes on the island and they are all wonderful, long or short.
Masks, snorkels and swim fins are readily and reasonably available as rentals. Bring ‘em if you’ve got ‘em. If your vision is like your leader’s, a swim mask with a prescription lens makes a world of difference. Boogey boards and surf boards as well as lessons are also readily available. For hiking, a pair of broken-in, light hiking boots and hiking poles (trails can be wet and slippery) are all that is needed. Rain gear does not really work very well in Hawaii’s climate. Quick-dry shorts and a t-shirt made out of material such as Cool-max, which provides insulation when wet, are the best bet. Light fleece is great when it’s cool. Nights can be cool in November. Bring a swimming suit, wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and a beach towel. Cheap flip-flops and straw beach mats are available at local stores.
Before you start looking at all this good stuff, go to the first or second (my favorite) site below, queue up some real Hawaiian music and get in the mood. Aloha! http://www.hawaiianrainbow.com/listen.html Conservation Our focus will be on the effects of non-native invasive, plants and animals. We will also examine the effects of European immigration upon the land and its people.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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George Ripplinger has been backpacking since he was a Boy Scout, and that was a long time ago. A few of the areas he has packed and trekked in are the Brooks Range of Alaska; the Hunter-Frying Pan Wilderness of Colorado; Capital Reef, Utah; the Sierras of California; the French Alps; the Anapurna region in Nepal; and the Grand Canyon. Most recently (2006) he completed the Circuit de Torres del Paine in Chile. He probably carries too much photographic gear wherever he travels. Downhill skiing is his winter sport of choice. Travels have taken him to Asia, Europe, a good bit of North and South America, and Egypt. George is a certified Wilderness First Responder and a Cub Scout Den Leader.