Backpacking Hawaii

“I will be on the Island of Oahu for a about four weeks in June & July 2002. I would like to know what trails are available for backpacking. I need to know what the rules are in Hawaii, like what permits I will need, what kind of equipment should I bring, what kind of restrictions are imposed etc.

I am having a most difficult time finding out what kind of backpacking is available on the Island with out busting out the wallet. Trails.com sucks, Backpacker.com sucks the guys at my local outfitter don?t know squat outside the state therefore in respect to Hawaii they suck. The most I found online was at this old haunt. The books I found don?t have much about Backpacking just Day Hiking, I can special order books but I don?t know which ones to order. Is the Backpackers Guide to Hawaii by Stuart M., Jr. Ball any good?

I need to know many things before we make any plans. Is it Illegal to camp anyplace backcountry. Is Oahu so developed that no one would want to go backpacking? All I find is day hiking stuff on the web but I want to do an easy overnighter. I have some first timer relatives that have not been outdoors much outside of car camping & picnicking that I would like to take with me. Anyway help & recommendations would be most appreciated. Transportation will be an issue.

Orbitman”

“I'm going to be there in October with a cross country team. I'll see what I can find out. We're going to to some trail runs while we're there, as well. Remind me in a couple weeks!”

“There are parks all over ive been guiding trips there once a month since 95 mostly on kauai but oahu has alot to offer the summit trail on the koolau range goes over 75 miles the best way to get there take h1 to h3 over the mt through the tunnel and turn left onto 83 wich will take u away from most of the tourest traps and look for sacred falls and go left into the park and hike up the mt to the summit trail and u can go as far as u want but it will be very wett im sure so be prepared if u look like a tourist or act dumb and dont look like u know what u r doing or where your going u will be treated that way so just be prepared stay on the trail and just go, there are trail maps but i never use maps ever but if u cant handle that then go downtown honolulu to the visitors center and they have a ton of them and dont forget diamond head and the big crater and mokopu lighthouse and go to the north shore i was there and took a group to the dole plantation on the 20th just get a car and drive a couple days youll see all u want for an over nighter a good tent booots and food and water oh yea and watch out for the wild pigs and they pee in the water so i woulndt even try to filter it if your a city slicker”

“orbit, I did a search with Google, using the words "Oahu Camping". All the information was about camping on their beaches and in their parks, but nothing to do with camping along a trail.”

“Have you looked through a copy of "The Hiker's Guide to O'ahu" (author: Staurt M. Ball)? I just checked the local library's online catalog, and they had a copy, so maybe it's reasonably available. Its Library of Congress number is:

GV199.42
H32 O143
2000”

“Orbitman - I thought this would be easier than it is. Looking at your user account, I see you list a website that appears to originate out of Scottsdale. So I went to the Scottsdale Public Library Online Catalog. I struck out there. So I thought to look on the Arizona State Univ. Online Catalog. No luck there, either. Finally, I tried the Northern Arizona Univ. Online Catalog. Three strikes, I'm out.

Interestingly, I've found it listed at both the Univ. of Utah Library and the Salt Lake City Public Library. So this is what I propose: I'll check out a copy of "The Hiker's Guide to O'ahu" and look for honest-to-God backpacking trips. If I find any, I'll scan the related pages and email them to you. OK?”

“Still no luck finding info on Hawaii, just did a weekend warrior trip up Fossil Creek & Down the old flume road. I am so out of shape I make my self sick. One good piece of advice, if you don?t get around to hiking keep wearing your hiking boots at least once a week. My feet are bloody like stubs. I went though two pads of Mole Skin in 10 miles. The boots I have used to be kick ass but they kicked my ass this weekend.

Forest you scare me. Do you know my social now? Thank?s for trying to help. It looks like I will have to buy the book. I was trying to avoid it but I am running out of options & time. Has anyone read a book by Staurt M. Ball? I have read more bad guide books than I have read good so I am a little reluctant to buy this book. I like Falcon Guides but I could not find one on Hawaii.”

“Will any of this help?
Division of State Parks
NEW "Nah Ala Hele" Trail System
Div. of Forestry and Wildlife
State Park brochures
Safe Hiking Brochure”

“Daaaaaaaammmmmmmmmm!!!
That Na Ala Hele Trail system site is awesome. You'll definitly find what yer looking for on it.

Which island(s) are you going to?”

“I've done all kinds of backpacking on Oahu, of course it was with the Army so permitts weren't required. Favorites were the Kahuku's and exploring the gulches in the North Range.

Good times...

Now I dream of flying to Kaua'i to backpack the Na Pali Coast, without the OD Green equipement.”