Pupukea-Laie

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Pupukea-Laie

Posted to OHE on 23 May 2013 by Chase Norton

Been gone for 6 months in Death Valley, but arrived back on island two days ago. To get my feet and soul back into the land, I thought nothing would be better than crossing from Pupukea to Laie. Brought 150 ft of pink trail ribbon and a machete.

Work

  • Ribbon had been removed from the “Road Narrows” sign. Now replaced.
  • After turnaround, machete work began and old ribbons set ~three years ago were replaced with new ribbons.
  • Ribbons set 8 months ago are still in use, and older neon ribbons are few but available.
  • The main confusing junction is now better marked, and growth seems to be covering the tracks of missteps at it.
  • First attempt made to clear the overgrowth up to 45 minutes before the Malaekahana shortcut. Pushed through after.
  • 150 ft of ribbon was set throughout the section.

Conditions

  • Swath from trailhead to black junction is fine and well enough marked. A new downed tree has occurred but is easily passable.
  • The entire section was relatively very dry.
  • The growth was the worst I’ve experienced, excluding the first trek through this region years ago. Without effort, this will be lost in a few years’ time, I feel.
  • The Australian tea tree has begun to dominate the summit in masses I do not recall from the past. Strawberry guava is extending its reach as well.
  • More trash and litter on this section than ever witnessed:
  • Lotion bottle
  • 0.5 L bottle
  • 1/2 gallon bottle
  • Sleeping bag (been in same spot for years)
  • Sunglasses

With the overgrowth and lack of footprints, I could not make sense of the trash (6 months is 6 months).

Times

  • Trailhead → turnaround: 35 minutes
  • Turnaround → Malaekahana shortcut: 3 hours
  • Malaekahana shortcut → Laie: 1.5 hours

Laie is becoming overgrown with wild orchids from 2100 ft to 1400 ft and is choking near the 2100 ft mark. I have not looked at the clearing schedule yet, but I would imagine it is due sometime soon. Lower portions were fine, and those lovely contours were wide open.

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