As soon as I found out we were moving to North Carolina I began researching all the fun things I was going to have to do here. One of the first things I came across was Sliding Rock and I could not wait for my chance to go.

To experience the thrill of this slide 2nd hand, check out our short video here!

The location of this state park has some spectacular views. From Lake Lure, made famous by the movie Dirty Dancing, to the beautiful forest, and 404ft waterfall, this park has a bunch to see. The granite 315ft monolith, Chimney Rock,  protrudes from Hickory Nut Gorge and sits at an elevation of 2,280ft. Luckily for visitors, there is an elevator that will take you to the top so you do not need to tire yourself.  I highly recommend taking the stairs if you have it in you because you can take tons of photos along the way and it really puts into perspective just how high up you are.

Gneiss Cave

Before reaching the beginning of the staircase to the top of Chimney Rock is the Gneiss Cave, pronounced "nice". This tiny fissure is home to some bats, so the deeper parts of the cave are closed to visitors. Heading down the granite steps you will enter this itty-bitty cave where you can look over the railing into the darkness below.

The only photo I got of the inside of the small cave.

The Opera Box

The trek up the stairs was not too bad, but there is a reason it has the nickname of “The Ultimate Stairmaster”. But it really was worth the climb because the 75 mile view was breathtaking. We could see the lake far below, surrounded by the forest which was barely beginning to show spots of orange and red.
After taking a bunch of photos at the top, we decided to check out where the rest of the stairs went. Taking the Skyline Trail up, you’ll reach the “Opera Box”. From here you can sit on a bench under a rock overhang and see Chimney Rock. The shade from the above rock makes that bench a nice spot to rest before climbing the steps again.

View from the Opera Box!

Exclamation Point!

If you keep heading up then you’ll get to Exclamation Point, the highest peak in the park. At 1400ft above the entrance to the park, the sheer cliff face drops into the greenery below.
On the way down, we poked around some different paths and found a neat tunnel carved into the granite. We had to stoop to walk through it and discovered it leads to the top of a set of steps that join the main staircase.

Hickory Nut Falls

After going back down the winding stairs to the very bottom, we followed the signs to Hickory Nut Falls. This 1.5 mile hike is very easy and the trail is well-maintained. There are signs along the way describing the plants and rocks surrounding the path. When you near the end, you’ll see a viewing area where a staff member is posted.
Feel free to climb down from the viewing area to step in the stream below the falls, just be careful on the slippery rocks.

On our way out of the park we stopped to meet Grady the Groundhog, the mascot of the State Park. Just near the park entrance, Grady lives outside a small building which is home to some other critters that are natural in the area.



I hope this was helpful and inspires you to get outside and explore!






-Alecia

Hamama Falls is one of the lesser known waterfalls on O'ahu. In the back of Waihe’e Valley, this 4 mile round trip trail takes you past a swimming hole before reaching the magnificent, 40 foot waterfall. Spring fed from the Ko'olau Mountains, this waterfall is always flowing. The hike is more of a nature walk than anything, as you just follow a gravel path to the base of the falls; kids and dogs can do this one.

Beginning

Swimming Hole

Trail

The Falls

Crouching Lion gets its name from the shape of a lion that the rocks form at the top. It is actually part of a larger hiking trail, that loops around the Pu’u Manamana mountain ridge. This hike takes roughly 30 minutes to reach the peak so it’s pretty quick.

Legend of Kauahi

It is always fun to learn a little something about the hikes I do. I usually find out some interesting stories wile researching for a planned hike and like others I have done, the Crouching Lion Hike has a legend behind it.

The story goes that the demigod, Kauahi, was sent from Tahiti to watch over Kahana Bay. Ancient Hawaiians had never seen a lion and actually thought he was a dog. Even though Kauahi wished to explore O’ahu, he never left his spot and eventually, he began to turn to stone. One day, Pele’s sister, Hiiaka sang to Kauahi. Her voice was so sweet that he tried to stand, breaking the strong roots that bound him. Unfortunately, he could go no further than a crouch before he was stuck, forever guarding the valley and bay.

Finding the Trail Head

Finding the entrance to the trail is easier than it seems. If you walk along the mountainside of the road, Trout Farm Road to your back, you will see the trail beginning just after the “Do Not Pass” sign. There are no trail markers but you can easily see where the footpath is.

Note: Do not park on Trout Farm Road, they will have you towed.

Short Trail

Since the trail is not clearly marked with ribbon or anything, the idea is to keep going up. You’ll see remnants of the trail and parts where it has worn away, but do not worry, it is pretty easy to navigate. You will walk through thick brush under the tree canopy for a ways, until you are out in the open. Strangely, the path becomes more defined the higher you get, once you’re out in the open, it is unmistakable. You will be increasing elevation rather quickly as you ascend.
Once you are free from the forest, you follow the dirt path under a cliff of sharp lava rocks, you might have to crouch as you pass this part. After this point, you can see the “crouching lion” (I did not get a good photo of it). If you choose to continue, this part is more tricky and dangerous. The loose rocks and dirt do not make for good footholds.

Spectacular View

From the peak, you can see the various blue shades of Kahana Bay and the small city of Ka’a’awa below. The greenery on the mountains is amazing, as usual, and from the height you can really take in all the scenery of the Windward side.

Please be safe and remember to pick up your trash so other can enjoy the beauty.

Besides your typical luaus and incredible beaches, O'ahu has so much more to offer. These are some ways to enjoy the island, just like the locals do. 

1. Meet a Sea Turtle 

As a Honu Guardian with the Malama Na Honu organization based out of the North Shore, and as an avid snorkeler, I know how awesome our Green Sea Turtles are. The best spot to get a glimpse of these precious creatures is on North Shore's Laniakea Beach. There, the honus (sea turtles) come up to rest on the sand and are protected by the Honu Guardians who are there to answer any question you have and are happy to snap a photo of you with the sea turtles. Of course, you may get lucky and see a turtle while swimming, but you have a great chance of spotting one on this beach.

2. Go Hiking

There are so many wonderful hikes on this island, it would be hard to choose a single one that is a "must do". Asking around and researching online will give you a good idea of what kind of hike you may want to try. The flora on O'ahu is eye-catching and the numerous trails can take you anywhere, from the top of a mountain ridge ,through a bamboo forest, or to a waterfall. We have hikes for all skill levels and I have posted about several of them here on my blog.

3. Watch the Sunrise or Sunset

Watching the sunrise or sunset from the beach is one of my favorite things to do. The colors are just unreal and it is a great way to end or start a day at the beach. The best sunrises can be caught anywhere on the East side, especially at Makapu'u Lookout or at Lanikai Beach. The sunset is spectacular on the West side, my favorite spot on the whole island is at Yokohama Beach with the gorgeous mountains as a backdrop.

4. Visit the Pear Harbor Memorial Sites

The World War II Valor in the Pacific national monument is a part of our great system of national parks. Visiting the USS Arizona memorial and walking through the small museum brings you back in time to that solemn day. The opportunity to pay your respects and keep the memory alive cannot be passed up. You will find yourself surrounded by people from all over the world who are just as eager to learn about the event, and if you're lucky, there may just be a survivor speaking that day.

5. Stroll Through Historic Hale'iwa

North Shore is considered the surf capitol of the world and while those legendary waves have brought many visitors, Hale'iwa Town seems to retain its picturesque standards of a typical surf town. The many shops and delicious food trucks make for a great place to stop on your way to and from North Shore. The acai bowls and shave ice that Hawai'i is famous for can be found here, among the surf shops and friendly locals.

6. Snorkel/Dive

You can snorkel pretty much anywhere here, it's an island! Our reefs and colorful fish need to be seen in the wild to be truly enjoyed, so forget the aquarium. Hanauma Bay is one of my favorites because it is a protected marine environment  by the state parks service. While it costs to get in, the money goes to conservation of the reef and you have plenty of educational opportunities at your finger tips here. Another favorite is Shark's Cove in North Shore because the cove is protected by rocks and reef and is shallow enough for new swimmers to enjoy.

7. See a Volcano

While O'ahu has no active volcanoes, the ones we do have are beautiful. Diamond Head, our most famous one, provides the perfect background from the beaches of Waikiki and the top gives you a good spot to view the city and surrounding areas. Koko Head requires quite a hike to get to the top, but the views are spectacular, check out my blog post on it to learn more about that hike.

8. Swim in a Waterfall

Nothing beats a hike out to a cool waterfall, especially after it has been raining. There are several, easy, waterfall hikes that the whole family can enjoy, like Manoa Falls, Waimea Falls, and Maunawili Falls. You really cannot go wrong with whichever waterfall you choose to visit. Always remember, Leptospirosis is something to be careful of when playing in Hawaii's fresh water.

9. Watch Fireworks in Waikiki

Every Friday night, the Hilton puts on an awesome fireworks display in Waikiki. Watching the fireworks from the beach is the best way to kick off the weekend or finish a day of shopping and eating downtown.

10.  Drive around the Island

The island is not very big, but just big enough to spend a day driving around viewing the scenery. I have found some of the best food and coolest, little, shops by simply driving and stopping when I feel like it. Some places are off the beaten path and require you to do a little discovery of your own. Pause at all the scenic lookouts labeled on the side of the road to get a true glimpse of the different parts of the island.

11. Visit the Valley of the Temples

The Byodo-In Temple requires a small admission fee, which is why I did not include it in the list of 10. The Buddhist temple is home to wild peacocks and it's lush gardens hide several koi ponds. The temple and cemetery are so peaceful, I cannot help but just walk around or sit on a bench to take it all in.

Mahalos,
Alecia <3

Mokoli'i island (meaning Little Lizard in Hawaiian) is a small islet just off the coast in Kaneohe, surrounded by pristine waters. It looks like the hat of a Chinese rice farmer, giving it the name Chinaman's Hat. While you can actually walk to the island during low tide, we chose to kayak the 1/3 mile there.

After researching, we found out that the back of the island has a tiny cove which was where we decided we would park the kayak.  We brought hiking shoes so we could climb to the peak and put all of our gear in waterproof bags and tied them down to the kayak. Be aware that if you decide to walk, you need to keep track of the tides so that you know when to leave the island. Please note, that hammerhead sharks are often spotted in the area, and while they are usually harmless, they are still wild animals and can be unpredictable so treat them, and any other creatures you come across with respect.

The Legend

While Chinaman's Hat is usually seen as a great photo opportunity for tourists and locals alike, it actually has a Hawaiian legend surrounding its mysterious presence. Pele, the volcano goddess, had a sister named Hi'aka who created the islet. Hi'aka sleighed a great no'o, or dragon, and laid his massive flukes down in the water to mark the battle.

Kayaking Out

Kayaking out there was pretty easy until we got closer to the backside of the island where the waves were a little rough and the rocks were sharp. We had to get out of the kayak and push it through the water to maneuver it onto the sand in the cove. It took us about 30 minutes to kayak to the island and then around to the backside.
Once parked, we scoped out the mini beach and found some cool, little tide pools had formed among the rocks, little fish darted through the tide pools, hiding from our shadows as we walked.The backside of the island was mostly rocky formations and small caves poked up from the waves.

Hiking to the Peak

We found a small trail through the brush and followed it as we walked up to the top of the “hat”. The view of the coast of O’ahu from the different points of the island was gorgeous; the Ko'olau Mountains looked so majestic from this vantage point. The trail is pretty steep and requires you to boulder some areas so I do not recommend bringing beginner hikers on the trail.
We probably spent about an hour on the island, mostly just taking photos. On our way back, we kayaked around the island the opposite we had come to get a 360 view of it. At this point, the winds were picking up and the water was more choppy so it took us longer to get back to Kualoa Regional Park.



After all these years of driving past that cute, little islet, I was so glad we got to finally explore it. While there is not much on the small formation, it was nice to have an entire island just to ourselves. The cove in the back made it feel like we had a private beach to relax on.

Please be safe and remember to pick up your trash so other can enjoy the beauty.

Mahalos,
Alecia <3