Photography on Oahu (Aiea, Waimea: rental, hotel, home)

[hamellr]

Work is sending me to Oahu again for a week in late January.

Last year I spent a large amount of time looking for scenic spots to take pictures on the island. Most of those ideas came from Hawaii's Official Tourism Site -- Travel Info for Your Hawaii Vacation but I found that the spots were either closed, or not marked well enough for me to find them.

Waterfalls and pools are nice, and hiking is good. I'll have a rental so driving around won't be a problem.

Does anyone know if the Plantation Village will be open about then?

Is the Kualoa Ranch worth going too for someone who isn't typically into all the regular touristy things?

Last year I drove the perimeter of the island twice and got lots of nice beach pictures. I hit up Pearl Harbor, Kuan Yin Temple, the Palace, and my hotel room looked directly at the Duke's statue. I also spent a lot of time exploring Waikiki itself, including China Town.

Also, what is this location on Google Maps, and can I get up there legally?

oahu, hi - Google Maps

[KauaiHiker]

That location looks like a munitions depot (big dirt berms to contain accidental blasts) for one of the many military bases on the island. Even if it is no longer used, it will be closed and inaccessible.

Kualoa Ranch looks interesting, especially their Jungle tour. It's only an hour, but only $23, so you might get some nice pictures for your money. I think you can have similar experiences hiking on your own in Kahana valley, a state park. Hiking is a great way to see new terrain, for both landscape and botanical photography. I would go for ridge trails for the views.

There's also a great trail above Lanikai Beach to some old pillboxes with awesome views. Go to Lanikai beach if you haven't yet. Do the hike to Diamond Head, you can get some good shots of the landscape and your fellow visitors. Or hike to Kaena point for a wild and scenic coastline. If you want to spend some money, go for a glider (soaring) ride. You'll get cool views from neat perspective.

If you're into people and cultural photography, look for festivals or shows to visit. Find the old heiau (one in Aiea Heights). Or just go to a random, non-descript shopping plaza and walk around. Look at where regular folks go, visit random neighborhoods, from the good ones (Tantalus, Hawaii Kai) to the mundane. Drive up valleys and ridges or even walk around parks and neighborhoods (but always respect No Trespassing signs).

But maybe I'm not qualified to answer, I think everywhere's scenic, if only you know how to look.

[whtviper1]

Have some backup plans for your hikes in case of rain. January is right in the rainy season and even if the beach is sunny, the mountains may be getting soaked. A lot of the trails are very hard to navigate even with good hiking boots when it has been raining a lot.

[hamellr]

Thank you both very much for the help! I'll probably do Kualoa Ranch, as you pointed out for the price it's not too bad. Kahana Valley sounds exactly like what I want though.

I'm flying from my home in Oregon and then directly to Indianapolis. I'll have all my hiking gear and rain gear with me just in case of rain. At least it'll still be warmer then either location.

[Mar0]

I love Foster Botanical Gardens....they have these gorgeous trees there that make really interesting pictures...

[Jackrabbit808]

Haiku stairs....but you have to sneak past the guard and be fit/crazy enough to go up the stairs.

[HankDfrmSD]

Originally Posted by hamellr

Also, what is this location on Google Maps, and can I get up there legally?

oahu, hi - Google Maps

It is right next to Camp Timberline, up above Makakilo, near Kapolei.

Call these folks and ask them about hiking near them:

Kamaaina Kids - Facilities & Accommodations

My son went to Camp Timberline about forty years ago. Neat place.

Hank

[KauaiHiker]

Fogot about the January timeframe. Kahana valley can be very muddy and probably doesn't have views from under the trees.

For botanical gardens, I really liked Waimea Valley: ::Welcome to WAIMEA VALLEY, Hawaiian Culture, Hiking in Hawaii::

[mokeanne]

i would recommend looking into hiking w/ this group. it cost $3 to hike w/ them, but they have some pretty nice hikes and a rather large group. they always have the trails cleared and marked before they do it as a club. they also have a sweeper so you won't be left behind.

HTMC - Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club

you'll have to wait closer to the end of the year to see what their jan schedule is like.

here's some of the stuff that i've taken along the hikes w/ them. keep in mind i've only used my cell camera.

[hamellr]

Originally Posted by mokeanne

i would recommend looking into hiking w/ this group. it cost $3 to hike w/ them, but they have some pretty nice hikes and a rather large group. they always have the trails cleared and marked before they do it as a club. they also have a sweeper so you won't be left behind.

HTMC - Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club

you'll have to wait closer to the end of the year to see what their jan schedule is like.

here's some of the stuff that i've taken along the hikes w/ them. keep in mind i've only used my cell camera.

Wow, very nice pictures. I will certainly be checking them out.