Comments on: Kamananui Valley

By: J & R Garcia Ohana

J & R Garcia Ohana — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 07:30:08 +0000

My friend and I along with our kids, took a walk in on this trail today! We just loved it. It is my friends second visit to this park, and my first. We both just had to venture in a ways. The weather was great and the trail was irresistable. It was a short 30 minute walk in. But being our first time, and un prepared or researched we had to put it off for another day. I just loved the natural overgrown plants and trees. The sound of birds echoed in the valley. We heard piglets and goats, too. It just goes to show you, that one can realy learn something new everyday!

ps- Thanks for your post! Weve learned the name and partial history of the trail. Weve got some info on the part of the trail we did not see, and we got some feedback from your readers as well. What a nice way to top off our day at the park. Aloha.

By: ray akau

ray akau — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 08:50:20 +0000

We had a dedication memorial today Feb.20 2008, for the protection of Kamananui Valley. Now it is under the wildlife and forestry care. This is very important because I am a decendent from the old people that once occupied these mountains.Just wanted to inform you! Aloha.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 08:19:31 +0000

If the person who ever posted these pictures ever reads this, I just wanted to comment on your awesome pictures and descrptions were. I’ve lived down the road, in Moanalua valley for 26 years, and my friends and I would hang out there after school almost everyday. It brings back so much memories. Someone asked about hunters in the area. I know that there were times when pigs would be hunted, but there would be a big sign posted on the fence that you have pass before you enter the trail that warns you of this. (I think these hunters got permission from damon estates). And there were a few times that I have seen peoples trucks with their hunting dog cages on in their truck beds parked in the lot. If you see them, you know someone is hunting back there. Looking at these pictures gives me the urge to go back there again and reminisce about all the good times we had.

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 06:51:50 +0000

The “girl” in the 2nd picture is my wife Judy, with Rusty. Sorry, I haven’t been back there since that day so I don’t know what current conditions are like. If you can find it through the weeds, it’s actually a very nice trail. Good luck!

By: Patti

Patti — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 02:40:03 +0000

Eric, thanks for the info. Have you been to Moanalua Park lately? The entire back sections are completely overgrown. In your 2nd picture of the girl w/Rusty (or Kirby?), it looks like she is on a dirt trail going mauka. It seems to be gone, because I didn’t see any footpaths anywhere.

By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 09:38:19 +0000

Patti, I didn’t see or hear any sign of hunters when I was there.

As for the stream, each time the trail crossed the stream there was both a bridge and a ford. Remember, it was originally built as the road to the Damon family house. Lepto is always a potential concern but in this case you needn’t worry — you can always use a bridge, assuming you can get your Labs to cooperate.

Ummm, the trail is at the back of the park. Just head up the slope, all the way back. It’s definitely not on the makai (towards the ocean) side of the basketball courts — did you mean mauka (towards the mountains)?

By: Patti

Patti — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 03:16:09 +0000

I’d love to take my 2 Labs on this hike. I hear there are pig hunters w/their dogs, though. Did you encounter any or hear them in the distance? Also, can the streams be avoided just by staying on the bridges? Afraid of leptospirosis, which I see warning signs for at Moanalua Gardens.

Went to Moanalua Neighborhood Park today but did not really see a trail. Looking mauka, it looked completely overgrown. Is it behind the basketball courts, makai side?

Thanks for your great article!

By: Eric

Eric — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 18:04:23 +0000

It’s not hard — after all, the trail was an old carriage road, so it was designed to be not too steep. But it is a streamside trail, so there are mosquitoes. Don’t forget to put on some insect repellent before you start.

By: Brysn

Brysn — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 09:56:41 +0000

was the hike hard and was there alot of bugs?

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 15 Aug 2005 16:03:36 +0000

jj, this is the article that I used as a guide to the trail. There’s apparently also an informational booklet you can purchase that tells about the history of the area, as it was the home of the Damon family during the 1800s. Here’s a Google Map showing the location of the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park. Just go to the back of the park and the trail starts from there. Have fun!