Koolau Summit Ridge Adventure: Konahuanui to Olympus
On Sunday, four of us completed the Koolau summit ridge traverse between Konahuanui and Olympus. Myself (Dave), George Privon, Cheryl Batangan, and Casey Myers were the intrepid adventurers—and what a day it was!
Getting Started
We dropped off my Honda at Waahila State Park and left for the Kalawahine trailhead in Cheryl's car around 8:30am. As we pulled out, I noticed the gate closed at 6:45pm—we all laughed about getting out on time. Later, that memory wouldn't seem so funny!
Our group set off at about 9:15am towards the Nuuanu Lookout. We ran into three hunters with about eight dogs up there in blustery conditions. The summit of Kona was shrouded in dark clouds, and we got hit with some sideways rain, but the forecast was good so we pressed on.
On the Ridge
We initially got off trail and climbed a steep, loose slope, but quickly found the main trail and continued. We made the summit of Kona 1 at about 11:45am, in the clouds. After a short rest, we searched for the ridge heading southeast from the summit. The clouds parted momentarily, so we moved out. Almost immediately after dropping down, the sky cleared and we were treated to fantastic windward views. The clear skies really boosted my spirits and gave me confidence we’d make it to Olympus. The initial stretch was manageable, with low vegetation on the windward side.
We stopped for lunch in a grassy spot with a spectacular view. As we continued, the ridge grew much brushier and we were forced to the leeward side repeatedly. Although safer, pushing through the bushes was tough, and we all took a beating. I knew we'd soon encounter the ironwood tree and the ominously named "True Horror" rock, so we kept at it.
Challenges and Triumphs
As the day wore on, progress slowed and I started calculating how much daylight we had left. It was a little worrying! Thoughts raced through my mind: "What about work tomorrow? Are we going to have to spend the night up here?" But I knew hurrying wasn’t wise—that’s how injuries happen.
We finally reached the ironwood tree, which seemed even trickier than I remembered. The wind was howling, so we tied off my 40-foot length of tubular webbing to a sturdy tree and dropped down leeward to get around. Almost immediately, we reached "True Horror" rock, and again used the rope to assist with the descent.
From here, the going got easier. We reached Olympus around 4:45pm, and made it down quickly, arriving at Waahila right around 6pm—just in time!
Trail Notes & Advice
I don't think many people have done this traverse recently. A few red ribbons marked the way just after leaving Kona ridge, and a few more near Olympus along Wing's Contour—but nothing in between.
- Allow at least 4 hours for the crossover.
- Bring rope—you'll likely need it for the tree and the rock.
- Start early.
- Wear long pants, gaiters, and a long-sleeve shirt.
- If you have shin guards, wear them!
- Be patient and enjoy the views.
See you on the ridge!
Dave
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