Summary
The Kualoa Ranch and neighboring Ka’a’awa Valley are situated in one of the most historic areas in Oahu. The Ka’a’awa Valley is also one of Oahu’s most beautiful valleys and remains largely untouched by modern development.
The English translation of the Hawaiian word kualoa is long-back. Viewing the area from the air, you can easily see why. In ancient times, Kualoa was considered one of the most sacred places on Oahu and a training ground for the children of the most powerful ali’i (chiefs). It is said that the bones of over 400 chiefs are buried in the caves above Kualoa Ranch. O.A. Bushnell’s novel “Ka’a’awa” is an excellent source for information about this area.
This area is steeped in legend. It is said that fish ponds in the area were built by Menehunes, an ancient race of small, magical people believed to be the first inhabitants of the islands. The area is also rumored to be home to night marchers—the ghosts of dead chiefs and their warriors who proceed from their burial caves to the sea.
Moreover, Kualoa and Ka’a’awa are perceived as places of refuge where those condemned to die could find safety.
Background and Directions
In 1850, Dr. Gerrit P. Judd purchased the land known today as Kualoa Ranch and Ka’a’awa Valley from King Kamehameha III, and the property has remained in the family ever since. The owners strive to be exemplary stewards of the ‘aina (land) by preserving and protecting it from development.
Exploration of the ranch and Ka’a’awa Valley can only be done by special permit or one of the tours offered by Kualoa Ranch. Additionally, if you prefer to snorkel, swim, paddle a Hawaiian canoe, or play volleyball on a private beach, the “Secret Island” provides these options.
Kualoa Ranch offers horseback rides, ATV rides, bus tours, and jungle exploration tours of the valley. All tours begin at the Kualoa Visitor Center.
Directions:
From Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, take the H-1 Freeway west to the Likelike (Highway 63) exit.
Take the Likelike Highway toward Kaneohe through the Wilson tunnel. Look for the Kahekili exit on the right. It curves left, leading you north until you reach Kualoa Ranch (approximately 20 minutes). The ranch is located across from Kualoa Regional Park.
Go past the park entrance around the curve of Kamehameha Highway, and look for the Kualoa Visitor Center sign on your left. Turn left into the entrance and follow signs to the parking area.
Horseback Riding
Explore the ranch and Ka’a’awa Valley on horseback, as the ranch offers a two-hour horseback ride that takes you to the northern part of the ranch and deep into Ka’a’awa Valley. The journey navigates through forested areas, past World War II bunkers, into Ka’a’awa Valley, providing fantastic views of the Kualoa Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
The group typically consists of about 10 guests and two tour guides. The ride is more challenging than a standard trail ride, mostly due to several steep inclines and downgrades through rough terrain. The primary concern might be keeping the horses on the trail and preventing them from eating the brush and other foliage along the way.
Trailhead and Remembrances of World War II
The first part of the ride presents the most challenges as you traverse a mountainside path through various cattle gates. The route takes you from Kualoa into the neighboring Ka’a’awa Valley. Along the way, expect to encounter beautiful flowering trees and plants, as well as several World War II bunkers.
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the military appropriated portions of the ranch to build bunkers to protect the coast from the anticipated Japanese attacks, which ultimately never occurred. Following the war, the bunkers were abandoned, and they remain intact.
Consequently, as you pass around the face of the Mo’o Kapu O Haloa Cliffs, the Ka’a’awa Valley unfolds before you.
Filming Location
Several trails weave their way through the Ka’a’awa Valley. The two-hour horseback ride journeys deep into the valley along the 2.8-mile-long Kaaawa Valley Road, nearly reaching Ka’a’awa Valley. The return trip follows a path along the valley’s southeast wall.
If it seems familiar, that’s because the Ka’a’awa Valley has served as a filming location for over 50 major motion pictures and television productions. Notable films shot here include “50 First Dates,” “Godzilla,” “Mighty Joe Young,” “Pearl Harbor,” “Kong: Skull Island,” “Tears of the Sun,” and “Windtalkers.”
You may recognize the tree in this photo as the location where actor Sam Neill and two children ran from stampeding dinosaurs in Steven Spielberg’s 1993 hit, “Jurassic Park.” Years later, “Jurassic World” also filmed scenes here.
Numerous television productions were filmed in this area, including “Fantasy Island,” “ER,” and “Lost,” featuring survivors of a plane crash navigating a mysterious island filled with secrets and dangers. It is in Ka’a’awa that Hurley set up his two-hole golf course, and the survivors frequently hiked into the island’s interior.
Magnificent Views of the Ka’a’awa Valley
The horseback tour continues throughout the Ka’a’awa Valley. It’s unfortunate, as the two-hour ride occurs only in the late afternoon, positioning the sun behind the valley and making inland views somewhat challenging. A morning ride would likely yield many different perspectives.
As you reverse course and head back toward the ocean, the splendid views of the valley walls become apparent. With the sun now behind you, the details of the valley walls vividly remind you of the volcanic nature of the Hawaiian Islands.
Reconstructed Hawaiian Village
As you near the trailhead that leads back to the Visitors Center, the trail ride will pass a reconstructed Hawaiian village and taro patch constructed for a former Hollywood production. This serves as a poignant reminder that this valley was once home to many Hawaiian people.
“Ka’a’awa Valley is flanked by the most formidable peaks on Oahu: Pu’u Kanehoalani on the southeast wall, Pu’u Manamana on the northwest wall, and Pu’u Ohulehule at the head of the valley. The first two are extremely narrow, with all approaches requiring rock-climbing feats. The third peak gained notoriety when two Danish tourists stranded themselves atop it, too scared to descend; they opted to remain there for six days.” (Backyard Oahu)
Views of Mokoli’i Island and Kaneohe Bay
As you ride along the trail next to the ocean face of Mo’o Kapu O Haloa Cliffs, you’ll enjoy a stunning view of Mokoli’i Island, also known as Chinaman’s Hat. You can also see Kaneohe Bay in the distance.
The legend behind Mokoli’i states that Hi’iaka, Pele’s sister, created Mokoli’i Island after slaying a threatening no’o (dragon) and using its massive flukes as a landmark in the water. She formed the lowlands below the Kualoa Pali (cliffs) to provide travelers with a path and the current highway that runs around the edge of Oahu.
Reservations
For more information about Kualoa Ranch and the activities available, visit its website.
It is advisable to make arrangements for any activities in advance since the capacity for each experience is limited and often sells out during peak visitor seasons.
