City seeks volunteers to help with repairs to koko head hiking trail. Gaines which has some background not easily available elsewhere. Jan 26, 2020 although it is a relatively short hike, the 1,048 railway stairs to the top can definitely test ones endurance. During world war ii, the united states military built lookout pillbox bunkers on koko crater. Abandoned train abandoned cars abandoned places locomotive train tracks fantasy landscape tarzan the great. Big johns adventures in travel wanderlust entertainment. The koko head hike railway stairs are a grueling test of will and lead you to the koko head crater summit, which is a view worth the grind. Koko head is often called natures stairmaster, but humans helped the evolution of the incline by adding a railway during world war ii in order to transport military personnel and supplies up to lookouts built at the top. An exact reopening date will be announced at a later time. The koko head hike railway stairs is a short drive from diamond head and waikiki. I personally love koko head now and see young children to older adults hiking. The railway tracks were created to bring supplies to the top. President and first lady hike koko crater railway trail.
The tracks carried supplies up and down the volcanic crater via a gasolinepowered winch in a tramcar. The site has had many functions until it was finally passed onto the city of honolulu and became koko head regional park in 1966. I am interested in railways, but on this occasion, my interest is in the mention of the rails mounted on the side of koko head located on the island of oahu. This is a great workout with a beautiful view at the summit dont forget to bring water. Apr 06, 2010 for a great cardio workout, head to the koko crater tram tracks. Kahauloa crater where the koko head shooting complex is located is. Were working in partnership with the city and county of honolulu to implement emergency temporary repairs to the stairs. Many people spend another hour to relax and admire the views from the top before they begin their journey back. Military history of diamond head crater, honolulu, hawaii. Your next mission is a trek up the 1,000plus steps to the top of koko crater. Although it is a relatively short hike, the 1,048 railway stairs to the top can definitely test ones endurance. Nov 25, 2020 koko head railway itself was once used to transport soldiers and supplies during world war ii. They also constructed koko head railway now the koko head stairs to move personnel and supplies up and down.
The tracks were used to haul supplies to a lookout post at the top of the crater. Im maps look for koko head rim park which is in a park with tennis courts, basketball, shooting range, etc. Formed by secondary volcanic eruptions of the koolau range more than 10,000 years ago, the cape whose name means blood or red earth is pocked by numerous tuff craters, relics of the islands last volcanic. The hike up koko head crater big johns adventures in travel. Do not handle any firearms or stand at the firing line where firearms are present while others are down range during a cease fire. You can join the community on facebook or instagram.
One of the most fascinating things about koko head, aside from the breathtaking views, is its military history. Oct 05, 2020 the koko head has 1048 steps, which are actually part of an abandoned railway once built by the military during world war ii. The highway becomes a twolane road and continues right to the park. Koko head, cape and landmark, honolulu county, on the southeastern coast of oahu island, hawaii, u. Albeit ive been shooting at the koko head shooting complex since the mid 1970s, the history of the complex is still vague. The trail is essentially natures stairmaster, as it includes more than 1,000 steps to the top. This was more of a steep stair climb workout than a hike but. Koko head, oahu, hawaii train tracks, abandoned train. Koko crater a hike on the old railway tracks in oahu usa. This is a hard hike, but definitely worth it at the top. Truck owner behind deadly taiwan railway crash apologizes. But if you say koko head hike, itll be generally understood to mean that youre talking about the railway trail. One of the most popular hikes on oahu, this 1048 step trail up the side of the crater gives you gorgeous views of hawaii kai.
Within this park is the koko crater trail, which is a 1. No tours come here, although it is located just across the road from hanauma bay and koko head. Unload, open the action, remove the magazine and bench all firearms during a cease fire. On its western slope is the community of portlock, a part of hawai. In 1966, the area was made into the koko head regional park, where the trail stands. We formed in 2018 to address decades of neglect of the stairs. Its like a giant, outdoor stairmaster 1,048 giant steps to the top, to be precise. History of the hawaiian trail and mountain club from 1910 to 1960, r. Hiking trails near hanauma bay hanauma bay nature preserve. Apr 05, 2021 in this image taken from video, lee yihsiang, the driver of the truck that caused the train accident on saturday, offers a public apology as he is led by police sunday, april 4, 2021, in hualien. Koko crater tramway to kokohead lookout oahu, hawaii. Koko crater from the base of the old railway trail. It was then renamed to the koko head regional park.
At the top of koko head and at the end of the rails, there lie the remains of an electric winch motor. A railway was created on the extincted volcano and named the koko crater tramway, and used to haul cargo and supplies up to the top. Formed by secondary volcanic eruptions of the koolau range more than 10,000 years ago, the cape whose name means blood or. This is not the end of the railway, but the metal grate platform, which is a fantastic photo spot.
Koko crater railway trail honolulu 2021 all you need to know. Visitors might also be interested in the koko crater botanical garden which can be accessed inside the crater. During world war ii, the military built several bunkers at the summit of koko head crater. Koko head hike history during world war ii, the military built several bunkers at the summit of koko head crater. The railway tracks have been preserved to this day, even if no more supplies are transported here. Army erected several bunkers at the summit of the crater with a railway tram that carried.
Im working on getting a copy of a military history of diamond head and fort ruger, part i, coast defense journal, vol. Railway preservation news view topic koko head track. Japan with the coming of diamond quadrilateral and dwell deeper into the. Jun 18, 2017 koke head is a 1,208foothigh volcanic tuff cone that was created by volcanic explosions. They constructed a railway tram to shuttle supplies and people up and down the steep terrain. It puts you through your paces and can be a challenge even for the fittest of. You may have hated your life after doing it, but everyone has at least did it once or twice.
Kahauloa crater where the koko head shooting complex is located is legendarily the home of hawaiian menehune. Koko head cape, oahu, hawaii, united states britannica. Besides cardio, the climb up provides an intense workout for the legs, hips, core and derriere. Henry edward bud gibson oral history interview december 29th. Koko head is the headland that defines the eastern side of maunalua bay along the. Oct, 20 a hike in hawaii kai up a series of wooden planks that form 1048 steps. The first part of the hike is over a newly landscaped hill behind goeas baseball field to the bottom of the old rail track. Jan 27, 2017 koko head, oahu is a great workout challenge your fitness and endurance level.
We hiked to the top of the koko head stairs for sunrise on the last day of our trip in 2018 and it was the perfect way to finish off an epic 5 days on the island. Apparently, now its called koko crater hike or koko head stairs of doom. To move personnel and supplies up and down, they built railroad tracks on the mountain. The easiest of all four approaches is via the abandoned railroad on the craters west side. On the east side of oahu, koko head is probably one of the mustdo hikes on the island. In february 2009, a man stabbed 2 other people on the koko crater trail. Best oahu hikes near waikiki and honolulu with scenic views. President and first lady hike koko crater railway trail president hits golf course with friends on 3rd day of hawaii vacation chelseas report by hnn staff december 20, 2015 at 8.
A smaller tuff cone nearby called koko head is 642 feet 196 m in height. You follow h1 route 72 to the southeastern corner of the island. You can take your time, talk with friends, check out the views. The koko head hike is not a place that has a typical openclosing time. Koko crater see more photos, view panorama, a tuff cone rising 1,208 feet 368 m, is one of the most popular landmarks on oahus south shore. Koko crater railway trail honolulu all you need to know. Make a left on the ridge between the ball fields and the shooting park down below. Hwy 72 to koko crater hike 1100 demanding steps up a railway great workout for great views of the area east of waikiki.
From honolulu, its not hard to figure out how to get to the koko head trail. The military used the top of koko head as a pillbox during world war ii. Koko head crater trail running trail, waimanalo beach, hawaii. If youre up for a challenge, then a hike up to koko crater will keep you happily busy. The trail heads up 990ft at a very steep incline, and the views at the koko head crater summit are 1208ft above sea level. Mar 17, 2019 koko railway trail, also known as koko head stairs or even koko crater trail. All our board members and officers are unpaid volunteers. The military created lookout pillbox bunkers during world war ii. The proper name for this trail is the koko crater railway trail. I am new to this forum as of this day, friday, june 23, 2017.
Koko head trail on oahu is a popular hike for tourists and locals. Hiking one mile straight up at oahus koko crater trail. Acceptance notice for koko head district park master plan. During world war ii, the military built several bunkers on the top of koko crater. Wear the right hiking shoes, and bring a lot of water and a hat. Oahu hikes pocket guide, oahu travel guide book pdf, map. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, preserving and rehabilitating the koko crater stairs in honolulu hawaii.
This is a popular trail on oahu thats known for giving you a good workout, and its easy to get to koko head by bus from waikiki. Whats great about this hike is you can walk or run at your own pace. Koko head, oahu, hawaii train tracks, abandoned train, scenery. National register of historic places registration form. The koko crater railway trail is a steep hike up to koko crater using an abandoned railroad track. Koko crater railway trail honolulu 2021 all you need. Koko crater railway trail honolulu all you need to. Over the next 6 months to 1 year, we will be organizing community volunteers in the largest public works program in the history of the state. Abandoned train abandoned cars abandoned places locomotive train tracks fantasy landscape tarzan the great outdoors railroad tracks.
Those tracks created the stairs that we use today to get to the top. It was very tough, but well worth the effort for the views. Repairs to the koko crater tramway are underway after an agreement. Bishop estatekamehameha schools originally gave the 951acre area to the city in 1928 with the request that it be used for. This is a steep climb to the top of koko head crater with spectacular. In 1966, the air force ceded administration of koko crater over to the city of honolulu.
Im with bud gibson in the office of his new town and. Koko head railway stairs take you up 990ft over just. Its a 12mile drive and will take less than 30 minutes unless traffic is heavy. The tracks carried supplies up and down the vol canic crater via a gasolinepowered winch in a tramcar. Its very challenging with over 1,000 steps to the top. The koko head trail combines a bit of history, spectacular views, and a great workout to make one heck of a unique experience. The koko crater railway survives today as a 1,040 step railway trail. Army used koko head as a radar station and the tracks were used to operate a tramcar to transport personnel and equipment. Truck owner behind deadly taiwan railway crash apologizes khon2. Puu mai, the prominent 1,206foot peak along koko craters rim, is the terminus for about four different but commonlyused routes. At the top you will be able to see what remains of the station including bombproof shelters, metal grates, etc. The steep climb up the railway tracks isnt for the faint of heart.
Hawaiian native plants doryopteris, university of hawaii, department of botany. It lies across from diamond head 9 miles 14 km east on maunalua bay. Hiking koko head stairs hawaii travel guide, hawaii honeymoon. This is a popular, difficult trail on old railway tracks with incredible panoramic views from the top. Hawaiis koko head stairs is absolutely breathtaking. There are 1,048 railroad ties to climb and then 30 feet to the lookout. The marconi wireless telegraph station historic district includes four. Koko head itself has three significant depressions or old vents, the largest of which forms the wellknown hanauma bay. Jan 15, 2009 the koko crater hike is a breathtaking geological adventure over the top of an arch, along the narrow rim of the crater, and across sea ledges along the ocean.
Pull into the park with the baseball fields and drive to the top to park. Today, all that remains are remnants of the old lookouts and a trail lined with railroad ties. Koko head at 642 ft or 196 m is an ancient tuff cone that is somewhat dwarfed by its neighboring tuff cone, koko crater, with its peak, kohelepelepe or pu. The stairs climb straight up the hillside, and the first 500 railroad ties are set at a. Each step is a railroad tie although some are missing. Koko crater tramway to kokohead lookout oahu, hawaii alltrails. Koko crater railway trail honolulu 2021 all you need to. Today the abandoned railway is used as hiking stairs to reach the old military bunkers and ridgeline, and now known as the koko crater steps. A relic of world war ii, the military constructed koko head railway to transport supplies and soldiers. Pdf high speed railway has a history, which is 84 years old. Even from a distance one can see the hiking trail that leads to its peak. You can attempt to do this hike any time obviously is not something you do in the middle of the night, however, people do here before sunrise, so they can make it to the top as the golden sun rises in the distance this makes a cool instagram photo. May 28, 2008 access to this trail starts at koko head park in hawaii kai. More affectionately known as the koko head stairs, do not be fooled by the relatively short 2mile round trip tag attached to the hike.
It is a very popular hiking experience for the locals and tourists that have done their own research. The property below koko crater is now known as koko head regional park. A short drive from diamond head and waikiki, this popular hiking trail can be accessed at koko head park in hawaii kai. Koko crater is an extinct tuff cone located on the hawaiian island of oahu near hawaii kai. Now, as a resident of hawaii, i try to climb koko head stairs every other week for a workout to challenge my fitness and endurance level. Koko head is the headland that defines the eastern side of maunalua bay along the southeastern side of the island of oahu in hawaii.
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