Archive for January, 2012

Old Hawaii, a Tumblr

Waikiki.

PanAm.

Lanikai.

Fisherman.

Classroom.

Above
Photos of Hawaii from back in the day.

Kapoho, 1955

These photos come from a wonderfully curated Tumblr blog called “OLD HAWAII – Nostalgia in Photographs”.

To see more and learn more about the photos, visit OldHawaii.Tumblr.com.

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Kawai’iki Trail

Starting off the trail-clearing hike on Kawai'iki Trail

I went on my first trail-clearing hike last weekend. (Hence, the weed wacker you see in the photo above.)

Pete Clines and August Smith on the Kawai'iki Trail in Hawaii

The hike took us into a remote part of Oahu.

Swimming Hole at the Kawai'iki Trail in Hawaii

Above
Hiking the Kawai’iki Trail with the Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club. North Oahu, Hawaii.

At the end, a swimming hole.

* * *

Not only was this my first trail-clearing hike, this was my first time hiking with the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club (HTMC). The club has been around for over a hundred years and they organize a hike every weekend.

One of the benefits of hiking with the HTMC is that they can get access to a lot of trails that are typically off-limits or behind locked gates. The Kawai’iki Trail is one such trail. It takes you several miles deep into a valley on the West side of the Koolau mountains. All on restricted land.

On this day the HTMC’s goal was to clear the overgrown parts of the trail and mark it with ribbons for an upcoming hike on February 12.

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OZ

Dennis pushes through grass to get to Oz. A bouldering spot in Hawaii.

Dennis, with two crash pads strapped on his back, pushes through California grass to get to the rock wall.

Dennis Shaffer at Oz - Hawaii Bouldering Spot

He hits the first move from the sit start on this overhanging rock wall. If you’ve never tried this type of thing, it’s almost impossible to explain how difficult it is to hold this position. But, believe me, it’s really really hard.

Justin Ridgely at Oz, a Hawaii Bouldering Spot

Above
Bouldering and rock climbing at OZ, with Dennis Shaffer and Justin Ridgely. Oahu, Hawaii.

Justin, owner of Volcanic Rock Gym, put up some FAs (FA = first ascent. If you get an FA, that means you were the first person to complete a bouldering problem or route.)

* * *

Last weekend I met up with the guys at this newly discovered bouldering spot called OZ. When looking for rock to climb, the most desirable feature boulderers look for is an overhang. (That’s why The Arch is so awesome.) You want to be able to start low and climb out from under the overhanging rock and then up the face. OZ has this. There’s a great overhang and the face of the rock goes up anywhere from 15 to 30 feet.

This place is for experienced climbers only though. The problems are hard and you need to be willing to risk having chunks of rock break off and fall on you as you climb. Climb here at your own risk.

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Vintage Hawaii

Vintage Hawaii Photos

I got a really cool gift for Christmas last year. A set of some vintage photos of Hawaii.

Vintage photo of the Mokulua Islets.

Lanikai. (Compare to this.)

Vintage Hawaii photo of the Pali Lookout

View of the Pali Lookout into Nuuanu Valley. (Compare to this.)

Vintage Hawaii photo of the Old Pali Road

I think this is where the Pali Puka is. And I think the cars are on what is currently now the Pali Lookout. (Compare to this.)

Vintage photo of a Hawaiian pier

Not sure where this one is.

Vintage Hawaii photo of Diamond Head

Diamond Head. (Compare to this.)

So where can you get your hands on these vintage photos of Hawaii? Talk to the Hawaiian Superman. You can browse through the collection at HawaiianSuperman.com.