Kaniakapupu - Summer Palace

Kaniakapupu

August 25

Tucked away in the back of Old Pali Road a secret entrance.  Well, people know about it but there aren't any markers or flashing arrows.  The hike starts as you enter an archway defined by the surrounding vegetation.  The noise of the street behind you is suddenly silent as the rush of water down watershed flumes takes over.

The palace walls are crumbling yet gorgeous.

A short distance down the path is a fork to the left.  This leads you to Kaniakapupu, the Summer Palace of Kamehameha III.  The palace is in disrepair but beautiful nonetheless.  Today a photographer was capturing images of a young couple against the rugged coral walls.  It's gorgeous.  The greens of the surrounding forest along with the ferns growing in the cracks of the gray, broken walls are so vivid. 

A placard at the front of the structure tells of a time when Kamehameha would host celebrations with thousands of people in attendance.  The road leading to the front door is still present.  These rocks have been in place since the mid 1800's.  Research on the internet tells you that this area is also the site of a heiau.  The place is definitely sacred and peaceful. 

Following your steps back, take a left at the main path.  The bamboo is tall here.  Beware of the little fibrous hairs growing on the bamboo stalk.  Bamboo is great at keeping you steady but if you grab the wrong part of the plant, your hand will come away with a fiberglass feel - uncomfortable.  We passed a family of tourists (not completely dressed for a walk through the woods) just as a man in their group was complaining about the bamboo hairs.  Poor guy.

Bamboo shoots line the path. 

The path is a wide, straight shot through bamboo on either side.  It follows the water flume and along the way, a careful eye can spot crawfish, opai (shrimp,) and little fish.  The path narrows.  There are a few fallen trees to maneuver around and under and there is an old water pipe to scoot over.  The end is worth the slight twists and turns.  A small waterfall greets visitors with rippling grace.  The rocks can be slippery and leptospirosis is always a danger in mountain water.  The running water and small fish in pools of standing water keep the mosquito population in check but starting out with some bug spray is a good idea.  This waterfall is a small part of the watershed system; we need it to stay clean.

This little slice of elegance in the middle of the city only takes about an hour to hike.  Parking isn't plentiful.  Spaces are a small walk from the hidden entrance; small cars might fit on the side of the road.  Watch that you don't trespass on the private property next to the walk.   Kaniakapupu is worth seeking out for a mini-adventure for locals and tourists alike.


Here's a little extra reading:
http://www.pacificworlds.com/nuuanu/native/native5.cfm