Olomana (mountain)

Olomana is a set of three mountainous peaks on the windward side of Oahu near Kailua and Waimanalo. While historically only the first peak was called Olomana and the second and third Paku'i and Ahiki (the least pointed peak) respectively, most people call the entire section Olomana.[1] Geologically speaking, Olomana is an erosional remnant from within the caldera of the Koʻolau Volcano.

For other uses, see Olomana.
Mount Olomana
Three Peaks
View of the three peaks from Nu‘uanu Pali
Highest point
Elevation1,643 ft (501 m)
Coordinates21°21′51.00″N 157°45′13.00″W
Naming
English translation"Divided Hill"
Language of nameHawaiian
Geography
Mount Olomana is located in Hawaii
Mount Olomana
Mount Olomana
Geology
Volcanic arc/beltHawaii hotspot
Climbing
Easiest routeHike
Olomana's third peak "Ahiki" from the top of the second, "Paku'i"

Legend

In Hawaiian, Olomana means, "divided hill". According to ancient Hawaiian legend, Olomana was a giant warrior who ruled the lands on the Windward side of Oahu from Kualoa to Makapu'u.[2] During this time ʻAhuapau, the king of Oahu sent the great warrior Palila to battle Olomana, subsequently cutting Olomana in half. His upper torso was said to be in the Pacific Ocean near Kāneʻohe Bay leaving his lower half where Mount Olomana is today.[2] According to the legend of Makalei, the peak Ahiki was named for one of Chief Olomana's favorite konohiki (headman), and the peak Pakuʻi was named for the keeper of Kaʻelepulu fishponds.[3]

Hiking trail

The hike to the highest first peak is steep but not dangerous. There is a short climb required at the top with a rope in place to use, to reach the summit with excellent views all around. Those who hike to the second peak are taking more of a risk and there have been accidents and helicopter rescues from this segment of the trail. The third peak is accessed on an extremely narrow crumbly ridge with a long unforgiving drop on both sides, and is rated advanced.[4]

Hiking Olomana can be hazardous, especially in wet conditions between the second and third peak, and even highly fit and experienced hikers have fallen to their deaths on this part of the trail. On the same day in 2004, two hikers separately fell but survived. In April 2011, 44-year-old Ryan Suenaga, an experienced hiker, was killed when he fell from the ridge approaching the third peak,[5] and in January 2014, 27-year-old Honolulu fireman Mitchell Kai fell to his death along the same section.[6] In June 2015, a 52-year-old retired Navy man fell approximately 200 feet to his death.[7] On April 1, 2018, a man was found 400 feet below the hiking trail. He was transferred by helicopter to a nearby park, where he was pronounced dead.[8] Helicopter rescues are costly for the local fire department. In late 2022, soon after the second death on the trail that year, a warning sign listing the six deaths since 2011 was posted at the trailhead.[9]

References
  1. "Olomana in the clouds". Hawaiianforest.com. 2009-01-08. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
  2. "Olomana, Another Ascent, Dayle Turner, Instructor at Leeward Community College". .hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
  3. Sterling, Elspeth P.; Summers, Catherine C. (1993). Sites of Oahu. Honolulu, HI: Bishop Museum Press. p. 234. ISBN 0-910240-73-6.
  4. J. Feldman; N. Yuen (July 13, 1999). "The Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club Trail Report: OLOMANA". The Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club. Archived from the original on April 20, 2012.
  5. "Tragedy on Olomana". Extreme Hiking Hawaii. April 28, 2011.
  6. Ben Gutierrez (January 11, 2014) [January 10, 2014]. "Off-duty Honolulu firefighter dies after fall from Olomana trail". Hawaii News Now.
  7. Ben Gutierrez (June 28, 2015) [June 27, 2015]. "Hiker dies in fall at Olomana trail". Hawaii News Now.
  8. Rob Shikina (April 1, 2018). "Hiker dies in fall from Olomana Trail". Star Advertiser.
  9. Gabe Lehman (December 2, 2022). "Terrifying sign posted at Hawaii's notoriously dangerous Olomana Trail". SFGate.


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