O'ahu Exploration: Likeke Falls

This hike is perfect for kids, waterfall lovers, novice hikers, and mosquito fans. We saw an incredible amount of man made and nature made beauty on this hike. If we lived closer to this hike, I'm sure it would be one we would do weekly. It's a one stop shop for golfing, church, nature, exercise, and art. 

Likeke Falls is on the windward side of O'ahu. We ended up taking the Pali Highway over the mountains because I thought we were headed to the Pali Golf Course instead of Ko'olau Golf Course. Although right down the road from each other, the distinction is important. I realized our mistake and we were quickly back on track. Ko'olau Golf Course in Kane'ohe is beautiful. Why am I talking about a golf course in my hiking post? The golf course provides the parking spot (except on Sundays during church) for this hiking hideaway. 

After finding the right golf course and parking, we were on our way. The trail begins on a leaf covered old road that leads you to what I suspect is an old water tank due to the large amount of graffiti art along the bottom of the tank. Or maybe it's still in use. I guess a little graffiti never hurt any water?! I dunno.

At the water tank we met a few lost, mud soaked hikers. Together we figured out the correct trail, bumped into a Jackson Chameleon (the charming bright green lizard pictured later on in this post), and immediately got up to our ankles in red mud. 

Most of this hike is along an old stone road overgrown with cool ferns, guava trees, what looked like mangrove twisted knots, and moss---it was very fairytale-esque. I would not have been shocked to see Prince Charming pop out of the wooded brush on his white horse. 

Not far into the hike, you go off the trail. This went against my better judgment, but sure enough, off the trail was the way to the cold, mosquito haven waterfall that we had ventured to see. A few stomps through more thick red mud, ducking under some low hanging branches, and we arrived at the stream and waterfall known as Likeke.

I recommend you going so you can check this off on your "to hike" list. It's nice to be able to easily access a trail that offers mountain views (you can see the Pali Lookout), wildlife (mosquitos and chameleons) a waterfall (technically it's two), two types of graffiti (tree and water tank), and you can end the hike with a round of golf (after you sluff off some of the mud on your shoes). 

The forrest spoke to us: 

And so did the water tank, we just weren't sure what it was saying...

The name of the hike, Likeke, spoke to us too. It means powerful or brave. Each hike inspires us in some new way. If the obvious take away for this one is love and bravery? I'll take it.