02 Sep - Koko Crater Hike

With the boys in school and no work, Kim and I headed up the Koko Crater.

Koko Crater is a cinder cone remaining from the last active volcano that occurred on O'ahu approximately 10,000 years ago. This crater is the tallest tuff ring in Hawaii, measuring 1,207 feet in height. The slopes of the crater drop steeply into the Molokai Channel, an area which lacks protection from any offshore reefs, causing very turbulent seas in this area.

The trail is an old train track used to supply military bunkers on the top. The ties now make up the 1,100 "steps" to the top.

Trail start

Trestle about half way up.  Some of the ties are kind of rickety and there are no rails.  On so many levels Hawaii is way more relaxed than the Mainland.

At the top.  Took us about 35 minutes. 
 

 Don't know how well this turned out, but you can see Molokai, Maui (to the left) and I'm 99% sure the Big Island (on the right).  Big Island is 150 miles away, but Mona Kea is nearly 14,000 ft so I think it's visible. 


Panoramic video from the top

Looking east into the crater 1,000 ft below and to Makapu'u Point

Hanauma Bay

View to the west over Hawai'i Kai, Diamond Head and Waikiki

Kim at the start of the descent.  Legs were jelly by this point.