UYE:Mariner’s Ridge Trail

One of the things that we’re so lucky to have here in Hawaii is the wonderful mild weather all year. Because of this weather we can take advantage of outdoor activities whenever we want. That’s why this mid-​autumn hike was such a brilliant idea!
OH YEAH!
+ Enjoying the great outdoors
+ Hiking with awesome Yeeps
+ Ben the dog!
+ Easy enough hike, and still not boring
+ Nice view from the top
+ Perfect hiking weather
OH NO!
— I’m out of shape
OH MY?!
~ Ben the dog loves eating bananas
SUPER HUGE MAHALO to Denise D, and Malia H for co-​hosting this spectacular hike! It was also their very first time hosting a UYE! We had a great turnout, and it was lots of fun even though I’m no longer in hiking shape. I’ve been slacking for too long.
The Mariners Ridge trail isn’t an official hiking trail. In fact, there are some no trespassing signs at the entrance, but it still is a very popular hike in East Honolulu. This was a great hike to kick of Denise and Malia’s hiking UYE adventures since it’s a pretty easy hike that isn’t plain and boring. The payoff at the end is also great with a couple of nice scenic points overlooking Waimanalo.
Hiking is fun, and hiking with Unilocalers is a blast! Especially since Denise brought her dog, Ben, with us. I think it’s safe to say that Ben is one of my favorite dogs that I’ve met. He’s just so friendly and happy. I think Unilocal Hawaii should adopt Ben as our mascot.
So when and where is our next hike?

Terrific view, great company… what else can one ask for?
Took about 45 minutes to get to the top. Broke a little sweat trying to keep up with Denise D. and Ben.

Thanks to everyone who came to our UYE! Malia H and I really appreciated everyone’s support. The hike was fun! Minus the cold rain for about 5 minutes at the top. It was great to make some new friends and do something else besides eat =)
Ben loved hiking with all of you guys. Thanks to Malia, Brian and Sandra for bringing Ben some bananas for breakfast! He sure is spoiled!

Denise D and I have been on a hiking mission. Well, she is a pro hiker and me, I am an amateur but trying to get pro and go on different hikes thanks to her and Ben, her smiley banana loving dog.
We decided let’s make our first UYE together! Some of us met up in Kaimuki to carpool and we met others at the trail. The hike was at 7am sharp… however not everyone made it on time… not naming names… www.yelp.com/biz_photos/uye-mariners-ridge-trail-honolulu?select=YcQsbYhS0X5­Ej184H1RGRg#YcQsbYhS0X5Ej184H1RGRg
The hike is pretty simple with some incline and best part is that it’s shady!
The hiking time will vary on your skill and if you wanted to stop and take photos. There are some spectacular views to see.
It generally took about 45 minutes to an hour up but it was easy going down and it took about 30 minutes to 45 minutes. The hike is pretty much uphill but there are some places that you get to go downhill too. The hike was shady and through the forest… it felt so Harry Potter…
The trail was pretty flat and wide for the most part.
This is a simple hike, but who can make it extra fun… Unilocalers. Who can provide entertainment and can get lost… me. Some cohost I am. I have no idea how I get into these predicaments…
We had a guest appearance by Mayor Carlisle on our trail and a spectacular view of Hawaii Kai and Waimanalo at the top.
It was cloudy when we started but ended up raining pretty hard which made the trail a bit slippery, we were almost to the top. It wasn’t really muddy but the tree roots just made a great slip and slide, but not the fun kind of slip and slide.
Luckily we all made it to the top at out own pace and no one was hurt or upset with the hosts for hiking in the rain!
What do you get at the top as a reward besides one of the best lucky you live Hawaii views?
Bananas! Well that’s what Ben got, he even got some of mine and some other’s since he is so darn cute and I am a sucker for a puppy face. Everyone even got to see Ben balance a banana on his nose!
Luckily, the rain stopped and the clouds cleared when we were at the top so got to take some awesome photos.
Thanks everyone for making the hike fun. Great seeing you all…
Grant S. Sandra K, Paul C, David T, Amara E, Talor M, Jacob N, Brian M, Maka K, Leslie A and Matt and my cohost Denise D (even though you didn’t come to my rescue… you lead the way and I pulled up the rear, still love you) and trainer Ben (BBC)
Pretty epic hike I must say… filled with bananas, rain, the mayor, a sporty host and her chiseled canine and a lost cohost!

This hike was so much fun! It was my first time on this trail and I would rate it a moderate level hike. It took about 40 minutes to hike to the top. There is some climbing to do so wear good shoes for hiking.
It also rained a bit and the trail can be slippery so take care. The view from the top is a beautiful look at the windward coast. Take a camera or phone to capture the beauty.
Thanks to Denise D and Malia H for organizing this hike for us Unilocalers.

Question: What is a great way to start the weekend?
Answer is subjective. But if you ask me, spending the morning meeting up with great Yeeps for a hike!!!
We are blessed with such great beauty and nature here in Hawaii. When you go for a hike you get to appreciate the great views and clean fresh air. Mix that along with Ben, a very friendly and handsome dog, along with great Unilocalsters, you cannot ask for more.
A big Mahalo to Denise D. and Malia H. for planning this UYE. I first got word informally during the Karma Ball earlier this week and this hike became official with the UYE posted the other day.
My friend and I showed up about 10 minutes earlier only to see no one. It was our first time to hike Mariner’s Ridge so we both didn’t know where the starting point was. Being skeptical, we drove back down Kaluanui Rd only to see a bright orange t-​shirt dude driving up and when I realized it was Jacob N. we did a U-​turn to go back up!!!
Today we had a great group where I pretty much knew everyone (Denise D., Malia H., Grant S., Jacob N., Sandra K., Amara E., Talor M., Brian M. and David T.). Met a new Unilocaler today (Leslie A.) and her friend Matt.
We started all in one piece and ended safely back down. It did rain when we got to the top and it was slippery going down. Although I didn’t see him, some of the group members bumped into our former mayor (Peter Carlisle).
We were even treated to a great show by Ben, as he balanced bananas (one of his favorite snacks) on his snout before chomping down!!!
Overall, had a great time this morning. Although I may hike on a regular basis I pretty much go to the same trails over and over. I’d like to try new places but fear getting lost so I’d rather go with other people who are familiar with that trail.
Before leaving, there was a mentioning of doing another hike in the near future and looking forward to attending to that one as well!!!

When was the last time I went on a hike?
I don’t remember, but I will surely always have this «FUN» UYE Hiking Mariners Ridge experience with a Super Bunch of Unilocalers forever etched in my brain.
We all met up at the end of Kaluaunui Rd. on the top of Mariners Ridge and talked for a little while waiting for Maka K. #Sleepyhead to arrive. Our UYE Host Denise D. with awesome dog Ben and Malia H. were nice of enough to make last minute event and had a great turnout which included. Jacob N., Grant S., Paul C., David T., Leslie A. and Matt., Amara E., Talor M., Sandra K., and Maka K. Aka #Sleepyhead…Only J/​k Maka!
The uphill hike did take a total of 45minutes to get to the top and it was a good cardio workout getting there, but once at the top the reward of spectacular views and the cool wind blowing was worth the trek. Yes. even the Gods approved of this fun group as they blessed us with a quick rain shower at the top.
Thanks You Denise and Malia for putting on this UYE!