Dangerous Hawaii Trails: Pu'u Kalena

Visiting Hawaii and wanting a challenge? Living in Hawaii and seeking a hike on the wild side? Thinking of Hawaii and desiring images of dangerous mountain climbing? Come let us travel to the Pu'u Kalena trail on the island of Oahu.

Like its windward side rival Pu'u Manamana, Pu'u Kalena is one of Hawaii's and Oahu's most dangerous hikes. Access is via a military base in central Oahu. The hike is a total of five miles with an elevation gain of over 2,000 feet. Hawaii hikers know Kalena for its knife-edge sections that require balance and nerve. The trail ends at the second highest summit on Oahu at 3504 feet (the highest being Mount Ka'ala at 4025 feet).

How to Get There

From downtown Honolulu, you will travel 20 miles to get there. Travel along H-1 freeway westbound. Travel north on H-2 toward Mililani and Wahiawa. After the Wahiawa offramp, H-2 ends and transitions to Wilikina Drive. Turn left onto Kunia Road. At the first stoplight, turn right to enter Schofield Barracks at the Foote Gate.

Note that the trail is on a military base. During certain times of national security, access to the trailhead may be denied. Be prepared to show identification and vehicle documentation to base security to gain access.

Inquire at the gate for directions to Kolekole Road and Kolekole Pass. Proceed to the pass (it is about a ten minute drive from the gate-remember to obey all speed limits; the military can and will enforce road laws on base). Once there, park in the dirt lot near the crest of the pass. If you go too far, you will reach a security checkpoint and have to turn back.

The Hike

From where you parked, walk across Kolekole Road and proceed along a dirt road. The road ends and the business of steep climbing commences.

Pick your way thru a forest of scattered small trees. Climb an eroded slope of copper-colored dirt. The trail will get rocky and steep. Pause to catch your breath as needed. Check your cell phone to make sure it is working.

Eventually, steep climbing ends temporarily. At that point, the climbing is less pronounced but the ridgeline will narrow to a nerve-tingling width. Proceed with caution. Keep your center of gravity low. Some people scramble on all fours. Swallow your pride. Remember not to hike and gawk at the scenery at the same time. Like an old Chinese proverb advises, "When you are walking, walk. When you are talking, talk."

After a steep narrow ascent, reach the point of the ridge that makes a noticeable dogleg swing to your left. Hang on for even more narrow sections of ridge walking.

Thereafter, the trail will eventually travel to a low dusty, eroded dirt saddle, climb again, and make a dogleg right for the final huff and puff ascent to Pu'u Kalena.

The summit of Kalena is anticlimactic after all the hair-raising hiking you've completed thus far, but relish the thought that you have reached the turnaround point. Eat lunch, hydrate, take a rest, and prepare for the return leg. Yes, you have to hike back the same way you've come.