Keiki is Hawaiian for 'child(ren)' and is used for both singular and plural.
OK, that's out of the way. But what is it and how did it change my life??
Hiking with Keiki is a facebook group that my dear friend Elsbeth introduced me to when she learned that my "church" was being outside. They are a group of volunteers who plan, recon, schedule, lead and share hikes all over the island of Oahu. If you want to get out but are unsure of how or where or are afraid of getting lost alone.... HWK is the best resource I can recommend on island, you DO need to be on island or heading there soon to be added, this helps ensure our members are active. HWK was started by Chelsey and Kati as a way for them to heal through the pain of post-partom depression, general depression and the loss of suicide. A way to share the adventures of life with friends and family in hopes those experiences and connections help someone through their struggle and healing.
Sounds like Hope to me. These are MY kind of people! I started joining several hikes a week. Before I knew it I was leading them too. These ladies have helped me see SO much more of this island than I ever would have.
Would we still have hiked? Of course. Still gone to different beaches? Yes. Would it have been as easy? NOPE. Would it have been as frequent? NOPE. Would it have been as fulfilling? No.
Hawaii, is the first place in our 10 years of Navy life, that I have had a bigger community than my husband. Think about it. We move somewhere new, he gets an instant group of people that at least have a few things in common with him just by showing up to the ship. Me and the kids? We have to go out and FIND our place, our friends, our shenanigans....
HWK helped me and my kids find our place, our friends and OH! The shenanigans.
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| #LunaScout and I walking the end of Likeke Falls as we arrive back at the car. |
Likeke Falls
: not to be confused with likelike falls, which is non existent ;) people often get the free way (likelike) mixed up with the trail to the falls (Likeke), it's totally understandable, they're VERY close in name... but now you know and that is half the battle ;)
Once you are a member of HWK, you can find info about every trail they hike to, what ages are best, terrain, driving and parking directions... everything! Really guys! Are you tired of reading how HWK is Amaz-Ballz?? Well, too bad. Cause they are.
I'm going to attempt my very own trail guide for Likeke Falls (from the golf course).
First!! Prep.
Stuff to bring:
water
snacks
BUG spray, trust me on this one!
towels (to leave in the car)
wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy and then throwing in the wash. I wear my rain boots and just rinse them off when we get home.
wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy and then throwing in the wash. I wear my rain boots and just rinse them off when we get home.
extra shoes (we always take flip flops as we hike this muddy trail in rain boots, and like to change before heading to lunch)
We park at Ko'Olau Golf Course (45-550 Kionaole Rd, Kaneohe, HI 96744). I do NOT suggest going on sunday. The golf course is home to a church. On sunday all parking is for patrons there of. You can still hike but you have to park WAY down the road and walk in. We did that ONCE. Cause we were SO excited to adventure with our friends that we didn't care. That particular day Lacy introduced us to Cinnamon's! A MUST visit restaurant on the windward side of the island. And maybe the topic of another post ;) we'll see.
Alright: Park at the golf course. Check. Don't park close to the building, park at the end of the lot where the road is blocked to cars by several hanging chains. I know this sounds 'trespassy' but once you see it, it's not :)
Those hanging chains mark the beginning of the trail. Step, over, under, or around them and follow the road to the water tower. Feel free to stop and take a picture, we usually do.
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| The water tower. |
The trail turns left here... so going to and then behind the tower to find the trail will not help you.
After turning left, follow, follow, follow the trail. It will soon turn into a 'rocky road' as my five year old puts it. This is how you know it's time to start looking for the last turn. On the right, there is a GIANT tree with lots of graffiti and carvings, step down off the 'rocky road' by that tree, and follow that trail.
>>>>>Special Tip: if you don't turn at the giant tree, the trail heads up to Pali lookout. You can keep going to the lookout instead of turn to the falls, OR you can do this water fall hike from the lookout, but we have yet to do that as of this writing.
You've turned at the giant tree, and now you just follow a bit more and listen for the falls.
Once there, you will usually see 2 pools. The waterfall is not HUGE by Hawaii standards. And it still never ceases to amaze me. Looking to the top, water falls down in a wide spray across a giant rock exposed in the mountain, into the first pool. It's the largest of the two pools, neither of which are large enough for swimming or diving. Just big enough for splashing kids. From the first pool, water falls down into the second and smaller pool. My toddler jumped and played in the smaller pool the last time we went. And that was JUST after Darby's near miss of Oahu, so rain shed had made all the falls and natural pools explode with water.
Play here. Let the kids get soaked! Let them try to "slide" down the smaller waterfall. I've seen a few who've tried with shenanigans type results, including a stuffed penguin that loved his 2 or 3 trips down the fall ;)
>>>>>Special Tip: as you stand in the smaller pool and look at the falls, turn around. You will see the creek fork in front of you. The little patch of earth with the tree and bushes where the creek meets the pool? Climb up there. Go around the bushes for a pretty nice view of the city. No one ever looks over there and they miss a sweet little view on a clear day.
Once everyone is soaked and has had a snack (we usually eat before getting wet cause soggy fingers don't hold sandwiches very well), then you head back. Don't forget! Going back: the Turn Here tree means go left, and once you see the water tower, go right, walking away from it.
I hope you have many fun adventures on this trail!
Comment below and tell me your favorite Likeke Falls memory, or tell me about a water fall hike you LOVE.
ING
!jen
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