Beautiful Kahana Valley lies on the lush windward side of O`ahu. The
State of Hawaii owns the whole valley, although there are some
private homes in the valley. Their reason for being where they are is
another story and might get told later.
To get to Kahana from Honolulu, take any of the cross Ko`olau highways and then head north toward Kahuku. Eventually you should wind up on Kamahamaha Highway. Follow it north past Waiahole and Ka`a`awa Valleys, past the Crouching Lion on the left. Soon the road curves left into Kahana Valley. Cross two bridges on the highway and turn left into Kahana Valley State Park.
Drive straight past the first parking lot to the visitor center, an old green building on the right. Park there get some information and then drive deeper into the valley. Eventually you will see a sign that says Residents Only. Park on the right and follow the road to a locked gate at the end of the residential area. Go around the gate and walk up hill through a landscaped area to the Hunter/Hiker Check in Station. Please check in. It will help if you wander off the trail and get lost. At least someone will know you are in the valley.
This trail is rated Novice-Intermediate. It consists of two loops for a total of 8 miles. See the map in Ball's book. I'd say the lower loop which must be about 5 miles is the Novice hike, and the upper loop of about 3 miles is the Intermediate hike only because of the length it adds. Walking the upper loop seemed to be easier than the lower loop.
