Hike Difficulty Color Code:

Saturday, January 12
OISC service project – Halawa Valley
Ever wondered what it looks like under H-3? Come help us control weeds in Halawa Valley. Meet at Church of the Crossroads parking lot at 8:00 am. Trips last from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm. Trips involve a 45 minute hike and then some weeding off-trail. The terrain is often steep. Bring water, snacks, lunch, raingear, sunscreen, bug repellent, and sturdy walking shoes. RSVP to 286-4616 or oisc@hawaii.edu

Sunday, February 3
Kuliouou
4 mi/Strenuous/Ridge/Kuliouou
Enjoy great views of Waimanalo from the Koolau Ridge after you've made the final steep ascent, on recently replaced steps (courtesy of Sierra Club).  Gwen Sinclair 753-0528, Arlene Buchholz 988-9806

Saturday, February 9
OISC service project – Nuuanu
Clear Medinilla magnifica, a relative of miconia.  Meet at Church of the Crossroads parking lot at 8:00 am. Trips last from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm. Trips involve a 45 minute hike and then some weeding off-trail. The terrain is often steep. Bring water, snacks, lunch, raingear, sunscreen, bug repellent, and sturdy walking shoes. RSVP to 286-4616 or oisc@hawaii.edu

Sunday, February 10
Kawainui 
5 mi/Moderate/Valley/Haleiwa 
A great hike through a valley with lush vegetation and a dozen stream crossings. Lunch and a swim at a superb swimming hole. Randy Ching 942-0145

Sunday, February 24
Waiau Loop
6 mi/Moderate/800 feet elevation gain/loss
This is a trail above Pearl City that was developed by the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club.  It climbs a ridge heading towards the Koolau Summit, but we won't go all the way.  We return via another ridge and cross through a small valley to close the loop to the trailhead.  We will see some great views of the leeward side and interesting native plants. Ed Mersino 223-5765

Saturday, March 8
OISC service project -- Ihihilauakea Crater
8:00am - 3:00pm
We will be working in ‘Ihihilauakea Crater to control weeds and help maintain a fire break around a highly endangered endemic fern, Marsilea villosa. M. villosa, also known as `ihi ihi or `ihi lau, resembles a four-leaf clover and was federally listed as endangered on June 22, 1992. The fern is restricted to low elevations that are characterized by irregular flooding, areas which are now typically dominated by invasive alien vegetation. The Koko Head site is a nature preserve dedicated to protecting `ihi ihi. In spite of its endangered listing and subsequent protection, the total cover of M. villosa has shrunk to 1% of its coverage just a decade ago. The major threats to Marsilea villosa are destruction of natural hydrology; development; habitat degradation and resultant competition from invading alien plant species; off-road vehicles; fire; small population size and fragmentation; and trampling and other impacts from humans and introduced mammals.
What to bring: Hopefully, the weather will be nice, so please make sure you bring sun protection! Take along more water than you think you will need--at least 2 quarts. Please bring gloves, sunhat, sunscreen, rain jacket, long pants, long sleeves, and sturdy walking shoes. No slippers allowed. Pack a good hearty lunch because we will be working hard! If you want, bring a pair of binoculars, because there may be a chance to do some whale watching during lunch.
Where to meet: Meet at the Church of the Crossroads parking lot.
Please RSVP by Thursday, March 6th to Julia Parish at oisc@hawaii.edu or 286-4616.  All participants will be required to sign a waiver.  Thank you as always for helping us protect O‘ahu from invasive species!
Arlene Buchholz 988-9806

Sunday, March 16
Old Pali Road Late Hike
4 mi/Moderate/Contour/Nuuanu Pali
Meet at 1:00 p.m. in the parking lot at Pali Lookout.  Do not meet at Church of the Crossroads.  We’ll hike to a cascade between the Likelike and Pali Highways.  Sherine Boomla 527-8034

Sunday, March 30
Diamond Head Reef Exploration
Explore and enjoy Diamond Head reef.  All participants must be able to swim.  Bring tabis or reef walkers or boat shoes, swim suit, towel, snorkeling mask or goggle.  Sherine Boomla 527-8034

Saturday, April 5
Ala Wai Boat Harbor Cleanup
Meet at 8:00 am at the Harbor Master's Office, between the 3rd and 4th row of boats behind the Ilikai Hotel.  Park in street stalls or public lot ewa of Hilton lagoon. Wear sturdy shoes with gripping soles and bring a hat, thick rubber gloves, sunscreen, and water. All participants under 18 must have a waiver signed by their legal guardian to participate. Please contact the leader for the waiver. NO SLIPPERS, closed toe shoes only. Deborah Blair 955-4168

Saturday, April 12
OISC service project – Halawa Valley 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

We will be conducting stream bank restoration and weed removal with Kalihi Ahupua'a Ulu Pono Ahahui (KAUPA) at Kalihi Waena Elementary. The mission of KAUPA is to restore the natural and cultural resources within our ahupua‘a through education, outreach and action. The day will include weeding, trimming trees, constructing a rock wall, and transplanting native plant species. Take along more water than you think you will need--at least 2 quarts. Please bring gloves, sunhat, sunscreen, rain jacket, long pants, long sleeves, and sturdy walking shoes. No slippers allowed. Pack a good hearty lunch because we will be working hard!  Meet at the Church of the Crossroads parking lot. Going mauka on University Avenue, take your first left after the King/University intersection onto Coyne St. Then take your first right onto Kaialiu Street. The parking lot is located on the right, just after the road curves.  Please RSVP by Thursday, April 10^th to Julia Parish at oisc@hawaii.edu or 286-4616. Arlene Buchholz 988-9806 All participants will be required to sign a waiver.

Saturday, April 19
John Muir Day Service Project: Manana Falls
6mi/Moderately difficult/elevation gain 680 ft
This trail above Pacific Palisades follows the ridge for 3/4 mile and has great views of leeward Oahu.  It then drops down into Waimano Valley. We’ll combine our hike with trail work, so bring pruning saws, loppers, or clippers. Before going to the pools and waterfalls, we will walk a half mile further and take a look at a burned area and some trees that were planted in 1995 and 96 at a slide area. There are a couple steep descents before reaching the series of waterfalls and pools. After a refreshing swim and lunch we return via the same trail so the descents become climbs on the way back. Ed Mersino 223-5765, Arlene Buchholz 988-9806; Asst. Jean Fujikawa

Sunday, April 27
Family hike: Moanalua Valley
4mi/Easy/Valley/Moanalua
Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Church of the Crossroads or meet at 9:00 a.m. at Moanalua Valley Park. Take a stroll into this historic valley for a look at petroglyphs and house sites. Child carrier needed for children under 5. Wear hiking boots or running shoes with good traction.  Bring a small backpack or fanny pack (to keep your hands free), rain gear, water and a snack. Randy Ching 942-0145; Asst: Colleen Soares

Sunday, May 4
Iliahi Ridge
4 mi/Moderate/Ridge, valley/Pacific Palisades
This trail starts out on the Manana Trail, but after 1.5 miles drops down and crosses Manana Stream.  It climbs steeply up the opposite ridge, where we will have lunch.  We will then follow this trail through the koa and iliahi along the ridge before dropping again to Manana Stream and back to the trailhead. Along the way we will stop briefly to eradicate some invasive Australian Tea plants. Ed Mersino 223-5765, Randy Ching 942-0145; Asst: Colleen Soares

Saturday, May 10
OISC service project
8:00am-3:00pm
OISC will be heading to Ka‘ala learning center in Wai‘anae to help restore lo‘i and lowland dry forest by weeding and planting! Please join us on this unique volunteer trip to learn more about the various community projects of Ka‘ala Farms, Inc. The Ka‘ala learning center is nestled in the back of Wai‘anae valley, with beautiful mountain and ocean views, and is an important location of education about Hawaiian culture, land practices, and ecology. It will be a long day because of the distance to the location, but will be well worth it!  Take along more water than you think you will need--at least 2 quarts. Please bring gloves, sunhat, sunscreen, rain jacket, long pants, long sleeves, and sturdy walking shoes. No slippers allowed. Pack a good hearty lunch because we will be working hard!  Meet at the Church of the Crossroads parking lot.Please RSVP by Thursday, May 8^th to Julia Parish at oisc@hawaii.edu or 286-4616

Sunday, May 11
Family Hike: Hauula Loop Trail
3mi/Moderate/Contour/Hauula
Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the far end of Hauula Beach Park across from the white church. This loop trail has great views and interesting plants. Child carrier needed for children under 5. Wear hiking boots or running shoes with good traction.  Bring a small backpack or fanny pack (to keep your hands free), rain gear, water and a snack. Bob Moore 942-2734

Saturday, May 24
Na Pohaku o Hauwahine service project
Moderate/Kailua
We’ll join Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi at Kawai Nui Marsh. Work in a native plant garden off of Kapaa Quarry Road in Kailua. Meet at 8:30 on the right side of Kapa'a Quarry Rd. about one mile from the intersection of Kapa'a Quarry Rd. and Kalanianaole Hwy. Bring work gloves, water, lunch, insect repellant, tools such as sickles, pruners, handsaws, machetes, hand cultivators. Arlene Buchholz 988-9806

Sunday, May 25
Bicycle outing: Sand Island/Lagoon Drive
15 mi/Easy/Mapunapuna
Reservations Required. Sunday morning is a great time to explore the area between Honolulu Harbor and the airport on a bike. Gwen Sinclair 753-0528; Asst: Colleen Soares

Sunday, June 1 
Tantalus Crater

4 mi/Moderate/Ridge/Manoa

This hike starts on the familiar Manoa Cliffs Trail on Round Top Drive, and offers great views of Manoa Valley and the Koolaus. When we reach the Pu'u Ohia trail, we ascend it through bamboo to the top of Tantalus mountain. Then we take a secret side trail through more bamboo and varied forest, enjoying one of the best views of Konahuanui along the way. We'll reach Tantalus Crater for lunch, sitting under big Cook pines. Sherine Boomla 527-8034

Saturday, June 7
National Trails Day/Membership Recruitment Outing
Waimano Trail
4mi/Moderate/Ridge/Pearl City
Take the Path to a Healthier You! Go for a hike today at our biannual Sierra Club membership recruitment event. Join or renew when you do the hike for the reduced rate of $25, a 36% savings off of the regular $39 fee. Gwen Sinclair 753-0528

Saturday, June 14
OISC service project
8:00am-3:00pm
Please join us for a volunteer trip to remove invasive Himalayan blackberry on Mau’umae trail. Himalayan blackberry (Rubus discolor) is a thorny vine native to western Europe. Division of Forestry and Wildlife “Hawai‘i’s Most Invasive Horticultural Plants” list includes all species of the genus Rubus. Blackberry forms dense impenetrable thickets that exclude other native plant species, and make access difficult for hunters, hikers, and other visitors to forests.  These thickets can produce 7,000-13,000 seeds per square meter, which can remain dormant in the soil for several years. Blackberry occurs in only a few locations on O‘ahu. We can get rid of it before it takes over! We will hike along a well maintained trail for one hour before arriving to the site.  The hike to the work site will be an hour long on a hot, sunny, exposed ridgeline.  This volunteer trip is for advanced hikersHelp control invasive species with the Oahu Invasive Species Committee. Pau hana at 3 pm. Expect difficult hiking. Bring bag lunch, hiking shoes, sunscreen, and water. Meet at the Church of the Crossroads parking lot.  RSVP to 286-4616 or oisc@hawaii.edu

Saturday, June 28
Work'n-Learn Day With Ka`ala Farm
1mi/Moderate/Makaha
Come help the Honolulu Board of Water Supply restore the native forest in Makaha Valley by removing alien trees within the forest. Please meet us at the entrance of the Waianae Boat Harbor (on Farrington across from Waianae Intermediate School) at 8:15 AM. From there we will carpool to the site. Be prepared for a moderate 30-minute hike to the service site. Arlene Buchholz 988-9806, Randy Ching 942-0145

Saturday, July 5
OISC service project - Kalihi Valley
8:00am-3:00pm
OISC is going back to Judd Trail to remove the remaining chandelier tree! We will be controlling Medinilla magnifica, which is in the Melastomataceae family along with miconia, along the Judd Trail in Nu‘uanu. It is an evergreen shrub or epiphyte that can grow to 3 meters tall that is native to the Philippines. Medinilla is an escaped ornamental dispersed by seed and probably distributed by birds. The Judd Trail traverses through primarily bamboo, ironwood, and eucalyptus forest. This trail connects with Nu‘uanu Trail about midway along the loop. We often work in this area controlling miconia, and noticed Medinilla naturalizing throughout the area. Our hope is to remove the population before it becomes more widespread! This is an intermediate hike. Take along more water than you think you will need--at least 2 quarts. Please bring gloves, sunhat, sunscreen, mosquito repellant, long pants, long sleeves, and sturdy walking shoes. No slippers allowed. Pack a hearty lunch and snacks because we will be working hard! Please RSVP by Thursday, July 3^rd to Julia Parish at oisc@hawaii.edu or 286-4616.  All participants will be required to sign a waiver.