Question about Makiki Manoa Cliffs Trail in Oahu
Mar 6th, 2002, 10:56 AM
#1
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Question about Makiki Manoa Cliffs Trail in Oahu
For those of you who have walked the Makiki Manoa Cliffs Trail, can you walk this trail on your own or is a tour-guide required? We'd rather just be able to go at our own pace and do our own thing. Also do many of the hikes or trails in Oahu and Maui allow you to go alone or do they require tour-guides? Thanks for the info.
Mar 6th, 2002, 01:38 PM
#4
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Sun,
I can't be 100% certain of this - but I live in Oahu and I haven't heard of any trails that require a guide. Be sure to get a good trail map, stay on the main trails, consider using a GPS, and dress appropriately, and plan for the weather. There are several good books published with detailed information on hiking trails on Oahu - a search on Amazon.com or other online book seller should bring up a list.
I can't be 100% certain of this - but I live in Oahu and I haven't heard of any trails that require a guide. Be sure to get a good trail map, stay on the main trails, consider using a GPS, and dress appropriately, and plan for the weather. There are several good books published with detailed information on hiking trails on Oahu - a search on Amazon.com or other online book seller should bring up a list.
Mar 6th, 2002, 04:11 PM
#5
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Damn! Just the other day I was looking over a book that described all the day trails on the island of O'ahu. I can't remember the title. The advice already given regarding Sierra Club and Amazon.com are good. You can do a search and I am sure you'll come up with something. You do not need a guide to take you around...especially the Makiki-Manoa Cliffs trail. Now that I think about it, you can also do a google.com search. I remember a website that described many of the trails in Hawai'i. Other hikes you might consider are: Kuliouou trail in east O'ahu, the Diamond Head trail (easy with a gorgeous panorama of the south shore of O'ahu), and, of course, the Nu'uanu Pali trail (uncertain about its official name) which hugs the windward side of O'ahu. People, by the way, do occasionally get lost on this small island. You sound like experienced hikers and would know better than to stray offtrail and/or attempt dangerous crossings. It's also nice and reassuring to carry a cell phone. It's saved many a hiker....
Mar 7th, 2002, 07:41 AM
#8
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The tours have ruined this trail (locals tell me this) if I were you I would only go on a day when the tours are not there if you have to go at all.
You also want to be mindful of falling rocks when we were there and we went many times, (lived on Oahu) large rocks fell from the top. My friend was in the water and these rocks missed him by 1-3 feet (about 3 rocks). We actually thought someone threw them because there were some trouble makers there on that day that ran a head and then were not at the falls. These rocks fell from what is the height on that waterfall a few hundred feet they were the size of bricks could have killed someone. Sacred falls had a falling rock disaster a few years ago that killed 8 people. Always want to find the safest route and the potential of this type of problem.
I think it is better to find a trail that is not so trafficed, you have the whole dynamic of locals annoyed with tourist and white people in general not all but definately a presence of this type of thinking. We only had a problem this one time but I would not chance it again unless I know it is not a tourist hub that was once a local haunt. ...and always always check out safest route.
You also want to be mindful of falling rocks when we were there and we went many times, (lived on Oahu) large rocks fell from the top. My friend was in the water and these rocks missed him by 1-3 feet (about 3 rocks). We actually thought someone threw them because there were some trouble makers there on that day that ran a head and then were not at the falls. These rocks fell from what is the height on that waterfall a few hundred feet they were the size of bricks could have killed someone. Sacred falls had a falling rock disaster a few years ago that killed 8 people. Always want to find the safest route and the potential of this type of problem.
I think it is better to find a trail that is not so trafficed, you have the whole dynamic of locals annoyed with tourist and white people in general not all but definately a presence of this type of thinking. We only had a problem this one time but I would not chance it again unless I know it is not a tourist hub that was once a local haunt. ...and always always check out safest route.
Mar 7th, 2002, 06:18 PM
#10
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Manoa Falls trail is officially closed to the public. After the Sacred Falls disaster, the state was sued (for not properly warning hikers that you can get hurt in Nature!!). In light of that litigation, they checked the rocks in the cliffs along manoa falls trail, and decided to close it. the police come up and ticket cars, and warn people, but many still go...I guess it takes the liability off the state.
You do not need a guide. Just follow the trail for about 1/2 mile to the falls. Take mosquito spray, leave if it starts raining hard, and be careful as the adobe soil is very slippery. Do not try to go above the falls however. I don't know how many people have slipped and been hurt or killed up
You do not need a guide. Just follow the trail for about 1/2 mile to the falls. Take mosquito spray, leave if it starts raining hard, and be careful as the adobe soil is very slippery. Do not try to go above the falls however. I don't know how many people have slipped and been hurt or killed up
