Kahana Valley – Nakoa Trail

Kahana Valley is a dense, mosquito infested, humid jungle that used to be a warfare training area during World War II. Its creeks flow with the rainfall from the Ko’olau Mountains while its forests are muddy, dark, tropical, and full of life. Now, Kahana Valley’s Army bunkers are dilapidated and are currently being swallowed up by nature. Please enjoy my photowalk through Kahana Valley’s Nakoa Trail and its old vine covered war ruins.


I first noticed Kahana Valley just a few days ago while on top of the Crouching Lion. It is surrounded on three sides by beautiful mountain peaks and is currently a housing community for many native Hawaiians. After reading up on it, I found out about Nakoa Trail and it sounded pretty darn good! I haven’t really done a lot of valley hikes at all so this would make a wonderful change of scenery.

After an extremely long drive from North Shore, I arrived at Ahupua’a ‘O Kahana State Park. The road goes past a visitor center with lots of maps. I STRONGLY suggest you take one with you. Nakoa Trail is notorious for being easy to get lost in. There are lots of unmarked paths and hunter trails branching off of the main path so it’s best to have a guide with you…

Parking can be found at the visitor center or just before the residential area at the back of Kahana Valley Road. Do not park right at the trailhead. ^^;

After signing in at the mail box (in case I got lost), I started out going counter clock wise on Nakoa Trail.
It’s a 3.5 mile loop so you can really go either way.

The beginning of the trail was relatively level and offered some views of the dense valley that I was about to explore.
Enjoy this sunlight because it’s actually kind of rare on this trail. The majority of the trail is in dark and humid jungles from here on out.

The trail dipped down further into the valley and there were numerous Hala Trees.
These odd trees seemed to have multiple trunks or roots at the base of the tree. It was something I had not really seen before.

Kahana Valley was covered with these berries. Occasionally, I would see some red ones around as well.

I tried to get a picture of these unusual trees.
They are quite tall so it was hard to get them all in the shot. ^^;

In the distance, I saw Pu’u Manamana. This is the treacherous mountain that I saw when I was on the Crouching Lion a few days ago.
I would like to hike it someday but it’s dangerous so I don’t know… ^^;

Cloud covered mountains loomed in the distance.
I think Pu’u Ohulehule is back there somewhere. I wouldn’t mind climbing that one as well. (:

These vibrant purple flowers lined the valley floor.
Beautiful!

Eventually, the trail started to make me feel a little claustrophobic. The trees started to “tunnel” around you and you got the feeling that you were a million miles from civilization. ^^;

I pressed on…

Kahana Valley is known as the wettest valley on Oahu with an average annual rainfall of 300 inches at the back of the valley! O.O
Consequently, the valley is covered with creeks and streams that you will have to cross.

Due to the valley’s wet nature, it is also covered with mosquitoes. I used almost an entire can of repellant by the end of this one and still got bitten. ^^;

Ah, Hawaiian trails.
Mud does not really faze me. Most trails on Oahu are covered with mud so I’ll typically end up with mud almost up to my knees at the end of the day. (:

Some pretty pinkish flowers that I have seen all over Oahu.

Eventually, I made it to a sign that said I had made it to “number 2″ and a large clearing.
If you go straight here (off the trail), you can see a few military bunkers from the former training ground.

Bunkers spotted!
As I hurried to photograph them, I ended up hitting my knee on a branch and bruised it pretty badly.
I have to remember to slow down and be more careful when I go on these hikes. ^^;

Part of the appeal of these bunkers was seeing how nature was slowly devouring them.
Vines were piercing the walls and the bunker was slowly crumbling away forever….

Another vine covered bunker. I think there were 5 or 6 in total I believe….

A bit about Kahana’s history as quoted from the State of Hawaii Nakoa Trail Guide: “Kahana was used by the military in World War II as a jungle warfare training site for soldiers going to fight in the Pacific. It was in the forests of Kahana that over 300,000 soldiers learned to live off the land, construct rope bridges for stream crossings, and carry out combat in a tropical forest. Villages were built in the valley to simulate combat situations with live-fire training that included rockets, machine guns, flame-throwers, grenades, and rifles.”

Out of all of the bunkers, this one was the most preserved.
It looked so menacing in such a dense jungle setting. (:

The inside had some kind of a holder or brace.
Perhaps it once held a machine gun?

Here’s how I looked at this point in the hike. I was completely drenched in sweat and had almost an entire bottle of mosquito repellant on me.
Also, I had mud all the way up to my knees.

I actually went to Kuru Kurus afterwards….looking like this! lol ^o^

After exploring the bunkers, I followed an old Army road towards a large stream.
There were occasionally branches and trees that I had to climb over in this section. I had to keep looking at my guide to make sure I was going the right way.

Suddenly, the trail ended at Kahawainui Stream and continued on the other side. The concrete pieces are from a former Army bridge that used to be here.

I thought about walking across but the water was pretty deep here (almost up to knee) and was moving really quickly. ^^;

Thankfully, a little ways downstream was a large tree that you can walk across.

I crossed Kahawainui Stream. On Nakoa Trail, you actually have to cross it twice. ^^;

Heading back on the opposite side of the valley seemed much faster and easier than what I have already done. There was less mud as well.

Suddenly, the valley opened up and I emerged from the dark forest.

Another mountain I would like to climb some day.
I believe this is Pu’u Piei which separates Kahana and Punalu’u Valley.

When you reach this fungus covered tree, you are almost at the end of the hike.

The final crossing of Kahawainui Stream is across a dam.
Today, it was crowded with folks jumping in the water but when the dam was clear I ventured across.
It was insanely slippery and the water was moving quickly. I almost slipped a little but managed to make it across in one piece. ^^;

Well, I hope you enjoyed my adventure through Kahana Valley. It was a gorgeous valley even with the mosquitoes and humidity. The bunkers were interesting and all of these streams were very scenic. Overall, a very nice hike!

Till next time…

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