Mahalo nui, Na Ala Hele. We rested for a few minutes at the wind-whipped summit and stashed about two gallons of water in the bushes near the Cline Memorial. We enjoyed brief views of Kahana Valley and then headed left on the Koolau Summit Trail. Our goal was to stage additional water an hour or so from Poamoho, just in case Pat and Gene don't make it to Poamoho as intended on Day 1 of their trek. The trail is cut into the pali and at a glance appears perilous.
Looks are deceptive, however, and the way was manageable and spectacular.
Someone, state wildlife workers, perhaps, had marked trailside plants with blue ribbons and metal tags. These may have been to indicate the presence of tree snails or to identify certain flora species. Such was true on the section we hiked. All day, we encountered no na pua'a. About an hour from Poamoho, we reached the junction with a trail called Peahinaia, which originates in the foothills above Haleiwa.