Wai`anae and Lualualei valleys are separated by a long ridge
with a pass the divides the ridge into two sections. The upper
section is know as Kauaopu`u. Although I can’t find a definition
for Kauaopu`u, I can find three for Kaua. .
If you pronounce it kaua, (w/2 short A’s) it means “War, battle:
army, war party; to make war, fight.” .
If you pronounce it kaua (w/the first A long) it means “To
detain, gently request to remain. .
If you pronounce it kaua (w/the second A long) it means “an
outcast, pariah, slave, untouchable, menial; a caste which lived
apart and was drawn on for human sacrifices. .
Pu’u is a small hill. .
So what went on, on this small hill and or ridge is beyond me,
but today there is a Geocache there. .
Park at the end of Wai`anae Valley Road (elevation 600’). And as
normal in any isolated place DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING OF
VALUE IN YOUR CAR. To find this cache you will have to
find the Wai`anae Ramble trail head located approx at N21 28.573 by
W158 09.140. The trail is marked and pretty much cleared as of this
date all the way to the southern end of the trail on Kauaopu`u
Ridge. You will top out on the ridge at approx N21 28.616 by W158
08.059 (elevation 1800’) .
From here on just follow your GPS to the cache. The cleared
trail ends about 10 minutes before the cache location, but there is
a trail to follow as it is used by pig hunters. .
Soon you will come to the reason for the cache name. There is a
trail of sorts that goes down into Lualualei valley. DO
NOT ATTEMPT IT. Besides being dangerous it will take you
into the U. S. Navy base and you don’t want to be there. Not in
these days when security is such a concern. .
The cache is in a Zip Lock bag for extra protection and is right
under good sized Silk Oak tree. I think I did a good job of making
its hiding place blend into the natural setting.
PLEASE try to remember what it looked like and
return it to the same condition.BE SURE that
none of it can be seen when you are finished. I’d hate to have some
hunters MUGGLE the cache.
The views are fantastic up there especially when the air is
crispy clear. Once on the ridge be very careful. There are places
where if you slipped and fell into Lualualei valley you’d be a
goner! This is not a Kiddy Cache in any way. If steep drops bother
you stick to other caches. .
Check out the pictures to see what’s up.
Remember you are entering a Public Hunting Area. Bright colors
are good, keeping the noise level down is also good. Remember we
are sharing the mountains w/the hunters so lets be friendly. If you
meet their dogs, don’t panic, don’t run. Best stand you ground. The
hunters are most likely not far away.
There is a first to find card