[K-Dogg]

Ka`ena Point Revisited

The weather finally turned the corner and went back out to Ka`ena Point to noodle around and to break in my new shoes. Hot and dry again, but at least the trades kicked in this time to blow the vog out. Pic's from this morning's ride.

Clear and sunny over Mt. Ka`ala, the highest point on O`ahu at 4,000 ft.

Dry and dusty.... again.

An overview of the point from the bluff further inland.

Sea arch on the Wai`anae side of the point.

A view along the point toward the southeast.

Ke`awaula Bay (more commonly known as Yokohama).

Ka`ena Point Satellite Tracking Station, situated on the ridge above the bay.

A view along the point toward the northwest.

 

[K-Dogg]

Ka`ena point Revisited (Part 2)

Not many people (residents included), are aware of the fact that from the late 19th century into the mid-20th century, railroads existed on each of the major Hawaiian Islands, and O`ahu was no exception.

On this island, the O`ahu Railway & Land Co. (OR&L) was built by Benjamin Dillingham and at its height of operation, it connected the port of Honolulu with Pearl Harbor, Waipahu, the Ewa Plain, and the Wa`anae Coast. Eventually, the line was extended around Ka`ena Point and it continued on to Waialua and Haleiwa, ultimately terminating at the sugar mill in Kahuku.

The OR&L was a general carrier, transporting passengers, cargo, and mail. It also hauled equipment and workers to the sugar mills along the route, and brought raw sugar back to Honolulu Harbor for export. Moreover, during both world wars, the line transported troops and munitions to various points on the island.

Several factors contributed to the demise of the OR&L in the late 1940's. In 1946, the great labor strikes by plantation workers crippled the sugar industry. In that same year, the Aleutian earthquake and the resulting tsunami that devasted the Hilo waterfront also severely damaged sections of the track along the North Shore, including Ka`ena Point. Lastly, during WWII, the military had vastly improved and expanded on the network of roads and highways on O`ahu. After the labor strikes, the sugar and pineapple industries increasingly utilized trucks to haul their crops.

The OR&L was finally dissolved in 1947; the tracks were dismantled and the locomotives, cars, and other equipment sold off. Today, a group of railroad enthusiasts (The Hawaiian Railway Society) cares for the last navigable section of track that runs from Ewa to the Ko`olina Resort.

A little difficult to see, but these are the remnants of the wooden ties onto which the steel track was laid.

In 1897 when the track was extended around Ka`ena Point, ralroad workers excavated this gap in the rock through which the narrow-gauge trains ran.

The ruins of an old trestle and its stone buttress, that brought the track over a small gully.

Another example of stone buttressing at the edge of another gully.

Back in the day, the track extended over this gulch. If you use your imagination, you can see in your mind's eye, the track supported by a wooden trestle.

The end of the bumps and the dust, and back to Mokuleia Beach Park.

The obligatory Element shot.

Happy Halloween!

 

[ayf]

kaena point

Hey K-Dogg, you do this alone? Was there any other cars in parking lot, it looks really deserted. I guess since you've done this a number of times you've encountered no problems. It looks like a neat ride. Let me know the next time you're going, if I'm available, I'll join you.

 

[K-Dogg]

Hey K-Dogg, you do this alone? Was there any other cars in parking lot, it looks really deserted. I guess since you've done this a number of times you've encountered no problems. It looks like a neat ride. Let me know the next time you're going, if I'm available, I'll join you.

Yeah, I've been riding solo onroad and offroad for years.

Actually, there are generally people around out there. It's a pretty popular place for fishing and freediving, and when the conditions are right, Mokuleia is a popular spot for surfing, windsurfing and kite boarding.

Since the south shore is going into hibernation, I may start riding more. It's actually nice to be back on the bike again. We'll have to see how it goes with the weather though... I might go again this coming weekend, if no more waves and if the weather cooperates. I'll let you know.

~ A hui hou

 

[elemento]

21 or 22nd ??

Kaena point sounds good! Are you good for sat and sunday Kdogg?? If it's either day I was thinking of the 21st or 22nd?? How does this sound peeps?

 

[K-Dogg]

Kaena point sounds good! Are you good for sat and sunday Kdogg?? If it's either day I was thinking of the 21st or 22nd?? How does this sound peeps?

My schedule at this point, is more flexible on Saturdays.

If you want to set something up for the 21st, that's okay by me, but check the "Nov. Meet" thread. I think Metal03 mentioned he can go on the 28th. If he can go a week earlier and there are no conflicts, all the better. If you want to set it for the 28th, that's cool too.

Whatever works, but let's pick a date and set it so everyone can plan. If it happens to rain or if the conditions are otherwise muddy, we can opt out of the ride and just go somewhere to eat. I know I keep saying this, but trust me. You don't want to be out there when the conditions are sloppy.

 

[aching1972]

:-DI agree. let's set a date and see who can make it. again, i have a few extra bikes if anyone is interested, expecting another one next week. also, if anyone is interested in purchasing a bike, let me know. i have all last years bikes on sale right now and would definately give the HEOC special price to anyone who supports us local small businesses. Oh, and thanks again to elemento for stopping by and giving me some business. Much appreciated!

 

[elemento]

28th bike ride

Okay let's set if for the 28th and go from there. Yup I believe you Kdogg I don't want to be out there when it gets mushy. So I guess the meet and greet would be back at the usual central oahu park. OKay so what time shall we set this for? I guess an early bike ride would be nice and alot cooler than noon. Hmmmm shave ice would be nice afterwards too. Okay who is up for some voluntary exercise???? Instead of convoying with E's we can do it on bikes

REMEMBER POTLUCK MEET ON DEC 12TH...PLACE WILL EITHER BE ACHINGS OR MY PLACE...SO MAKE SURE TO PLAN SO YOU PEEPS CAN BE THERE..

 

[Jun-G]

Sorry guys, I dont think I can make it busy month for me....:-(

 

[aching1972]

probably can't make it on thanksgiving weekend. it's probably going to be crazy at the store.

 

[K-Dogg]

When Black Friday Comes...

probably can't make it on thanksgiving weekend. it's probably going to be crazy at the store.

That's right. The Friday after Thanksgiving is "Black Friday" for retail. Probably a good idea to be minding the store. Hope you guys have a strong kickoff to the holiday season.

* I have a game for you all and it's easy (local members only). The first person to reply to this post with the correct name of the band who recorded the song in the header of this message, and can name the album on which it appeared, will win an EOC "Hawaii Chapter" sticker.

 

[Island E]

I love Steely Dan. :grin:

I knew that band, but I'd have to guess on the album. Was it Pretzel Logic?

 

[K-Dogg]

Can you name the album?

I love Steely Dan. :grin:

I regard you as local. You're one step away from winning a sticker, dude...

 

[K-Dogg]

I love Steely Dan. :grin:

I knew that band, but I'd have to guess on the album. Was it Pretzel Logic?

Try again...

 

[Island E]

Not gonna google cheat. It was in the mid 70's, pretty sure on that one.
Layla Lied maybe?

 

[K-Dogg]

Not gonna google cheat. It was in the mid 70's, pretty sure on that one.
Layla Lied maybe?

Ooooooh so close! Try again...

 

[Island E]

Hahaha, I was listening to the end of a live version of Clapton's "Layla" when I typed that. Funny how that works. :lol:
Katie lied is what I really meant.

 

[Island E]

Check it out. Mark Knopfler and Eric. I'd have killed to be there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQVvF0AeRLI

 

[K-Dogg]

We Have A Winnah!

Hahaha, I was listening to the end of a live version of Clapton's "Layla" when I typed that. Funny how that works. :lol:
Katie lied is what I really meant.

XLNT! We have a winner, folks! You'll have to claim your shiny new chrome EOC "Hawaii Chapter" sticker when you get here though...

Thanks for helping me raise my post count. I'm slowly trying to get out from under the thumb of Kumquat... :zombie011:

 

[Island E]

Do another question for somebody else. I already have my HEOC sticker and still proudly show it off even in this almost frozen wasteland. :-(

Thanks for the memory jogger though. Gonna have me spending some more time on youtube looking up music videos. 8)

And I say down with the fruity ratings.