Hawaii Travel｜Hiking to the Summit of Oahu's Highest Peak: Mount Kaala

by: Trip.com Local Guide Hawaii - Zhao Youli

Mount Kaala is located in the Waianae Range on the western side of Oahu, Hawaii, at an elevation of about 1,227 meters, making it the highest peak on Oahu. The Waianae Range and the Koolau Range on the eastern side of Oahu together form the present-day Oahu; millions of years ago they were two massive shield volcanoes. The summit of Mount Kaala is relatively open and flat, and houses an active tracking station of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), protected by the Army from Schofield Barracks at the foot of the mountain. The summit of Mount Kaala is also a nature reserve on Oahu. Due to its unique terrain and climate, many special plants and animals live here, some of which are endemic to Hawaii and very rare. Although there is a winding road, Mt Kaala Rd, that goes from Waialua on the North Shore of Oahu to the summit of Mount Kaala, this road is not open to the public. Therefore, the only way is to hike up from Waianae Valley on the west coast of Oahu. The Mount Kaala Trail is quite challenging; besides requiring ample physical strength, it also demands some hiking experience. Many sections have steep slopes, requiring hands and feet, and using ropes alongside for safer ascent and descent, posing certain dangers.

The trailhead of Mount Kaala Trail is located at the end of Waianae Valley Road on the west coast of Oahu. Parking is available on the roadside, but be sure not to leave any valuables in the car to avoid broken windows. The trail can be divided into 8 segments: A to E are relatively easy. A to B is a wide, flat paved road; B to C is a wide, flat unpaved road; C to D is an unpaved road suitable only for off-road vehicles; and D to E is a true hiking trail. E to F is the section ascending to the ridgeline, with steeper slopes and a rapid increase in elevation; you need to pace yourself and watch your footing, even if the ground is dry. F to G goes along the ridge with gentler slopes, but be careful of slipping and the cliff on the right. G to H is the most difficult and dangerous part of the entire trail, with cliffs on both sides and very steep slopes, some nearly 90 degrees. Combined with the rainy summit area, the trail is very slippery; ropes are needed for safe ascent and descent, requiring extra caution. Finally, H to I is the flat summit area, accessed via a wooden boardwalk through dense forest. Be careful of the wire mesh on the boards for anti-slip, as some may be loose and cause tripping. The end of the trail is the summit road, Mt Kaala Rd. Additionally, when entering and leaving the nature reserve, remember to close the iron gate to prevent wild boars, goats, and other wildlife that could damage the ecosystem from entering.

I left home at 5:30 AM, arrived at the end of Waianae Valley Road at 7:00 AM, parked the car, and started a day of long-distance trekking over mountains. I reached the end of the summit trail at 1:00 PM, started descending at 2:00 PM, returned to the parking spot at 6:00 PM, then went back to the city to pick up takeout from Chengdu Taste, and finally got home at 8:00 PM. Before and during the hike, my biggest worry was getting the car window smashed, but luckily everything was safe and smooth. The round trip on Mount Kaala Trail took a total of 11 hours, including time spent taking photos and videos along the way, lingering at the summit, and also some time picking macadamia nuts after descending. I picked a full 18 pounds of macadamia nuts to take home; I was so tired of picking and couldn't carry more. Finally, I lay at home for two days to recover my strength. There were still some regrets on this trip: I didn't get to photograph the blooming Trematolobelia macrostachys (a lobelia family plant), nor the endemic snail of Mount Kaala's summit, and the famous Hawaiian happy-face spider (scientific name: Theridion grallator). I might climb Mount Kaala again soon to photograph the happy-face spider.

Please do not steal images, articles, or plagiarize. Reprinting must obtain permission and credit! I am not a botany professional; I may have misidentified the plants in the pictures. Please forgive and correct me! Thank you!