What To Bring on a Hike in Oahu
Hiking is one of the most rewarding outdoor experiences that the island of Oahu offers. With its lush jungles, towering ridges, crystal clear rivers, waterfalls - and of course, the stellar views - hiking on Oahu is not an experience any visitor should forego.
As Oahu’s central spine or ridge down the island carves the landscape with a variety of trail options that stretch across all corners of the island, there are a variety of hikes to choose from no matter where you hope to explore. Importantly, hiking on Oahu is not the same everywhere you go. The weather conditions, difficulty levels and overall experience vary widely from trail to trail.
Whether it’s a leisurely forest stroll or a rigorous ridge trek, in this blog we discuss what to expect while hiking all kinds of trails on Oahu. We offer some ideas for what to bring so that you are set for a safe, memorable experience for all in your hiking troupe.
The Must Haves
1) Hiking Boots
Although there are many hikes you can comfortably do with sneakers (or even flip-flops), the variable weather in Oahu and different kinds of terrain means you'll encounter many different surfaces from rocky to slippery. Some hikes even go through small rivers. So make sure to bring some quality boots for the best comfort and to keep safe on your hike.
2) Water
This one goes without saying. Even if you’re planning on hiking in the winter months, never venture out on a hike on Oahu without at least 2 litres (½ gallon!) of fresh water per person. The combination of high heat, humidity and exertion can be a dangerous combination for even the most seasoned hikers.
3) Cell Phone
Yes, we know, we know. The purpose of going on a hike is often to unplug from technology and take in beauty beyond the screen. Phones can be distracting - who can resist ignoring a notification or message even when you are happily occupied? Considering this, bringing your cell phone is important as a safety tool. In the case of an emergency, you will be thankful to be able to call for emergency assistance, or even use your phone’s GPS system to find your place on the trail. Make sure it’s 100% charged!
4) Portable Battery Pack
Just in case your phone dies! These chargers can be handy in a pinch, and when you only need a few percent to make a phone call in an emergency, you will be thankful you brought it along!
5) Some Kind of Map
Some people like to have a paper map, while others are content having screenshotted the trail map on their phone before hitting the trail. B and I have found the best approach is to download or save the area you are hiking on Google Maps, so that you can use the map even if you are out of service. The GPS function will continue to work most of the time, and you will see yourself as a blue dot along the trail. Super handy in case you think you’ve gone off track, or want to know how much further you need to go. Instructions for how to use this function can be found at this link.
The "You Really Shoulds"
6) Sunscreen
By now, we all know the dangers of exposing our skin to sun without some form of skin protection. Keep in mind that the sun is nearly overhead in Hawaii due to its location on the globe, so the harmful UVA/UVB rays are likely even stronger than what you experience at home. There is a serious risk of damage to the DNA in our skin cells which leads to genetic mutations that can lead to deadly skin cancer. To reduce the risk, pack along a reef-safe sunscreen and apply it to any exposed skin. Don’t forget to reapply as necessary!
7) Snack
Come on, we shouldn’t have to convince you to bring along a treat for the trail! Endeavoring a long ridge hike means your body is sweating and working hard to keep you moving. It is crucial to keep your body fueled with healthy fats, complex carbs and salt to keep you energized. Keep away from anything too sugary though - your body will burn it up quickly leaving you sluggish and tired before the end of the trail.
We recommend packing a bag of healthy trail mix, a low-sugar protein bar, or some grab-and-go fruits like bananas or apples. We like to pack a bit of peanut butter to go with our fruits if we can - adding a bit of healthy fat and making our treat a bit more sweet and salty!
8) Bug Spray
Depending on the time of year or where you go on the island, most forest hikes tend to result in a few bug bites on exposed skin if you don’t use insect repellant. If you’re not a fan of mosquitos, avoid the risk and spritz up with some bug spray before you hit the trail. Consider an eco-friendly option as run-of-the-mill repellants may cause toxicity in the natural environment.
9) Baggie for Trash
Keep Oahu beautiful - never leave any trash on the trail! Leave only footsteps, take only memories. You know the drill! If you don’t feel like stuffing your energy bar wrapper into your pocket or a neglected compartment in your backpack, bring a baggie to store your trash.
10) Small First Aid Kit
If you’re going on a longer trail or multi-day trek, a first aid kit is an absolute must. If you’re headed out on the Diamond Head (Le'ahi) Summit Trail, we recommend bringing a few first aid items just in case. A pack of bandaids, some disinfecting wipes, some medical tape and gauze… you never know what you may need. Some of those slopes can be pretty slippery, and delaying the cleaning/dressing of a nasty cut could lead to some undesirable consequences for the misfortune hiker. Stay safe, bring the kit!
It's Your Choice
11) Camera
Hey, for us, we would consider this under the Must Haves, but your photography habits are entirely your choice. Grab your iPhone, point and shoot, fancy DSLR, or old school film camera to capture your journey along the Oahu trail of your choice. We have found that the old school film camera (a Nikkormat FT-2 from the mid-70s), with a single 36 exposure roll of film, is our best tool to both capture the moment while also preventing us from letting the “moment capturing” get out of hand. When we’re limited in what we can capture, we find we’re more intentional about our photographs. We’ve had a lot of fun with it and definitely recommend trying it out!
12) Rain Jacket
Check the weather, but keep in mind that things can change quickly on Oahu. If it looks like there’s a chance of precipitation, toss in some extra layers or a rain jacket to ensure you won’t end up getting soaked on the trail. At the very least, pack an extra long-sleeve shirt to provide some insulation if the weather cools down along your hike.
13) Pocket Knife
This really depends on the type of trail you’re on and the length of your journey, but many hikers feel a lot safer having a pocket knife on board at all times. A good pocket knife comes in handy for everything from food prep to survival. Especially on longer treks where you will be preparing meals or assembling shelter, a pocket knife can be an important tool in keeping your group safe and happy while on an Oahu hike.
14) Sunglasses
Your eyes’ exposure to sunlight over long periods of time can lead to negative health consequences down the road. If the sun is intense, squinting your eyes over the course of several hours can cause headaches and can really put a damper on a good outdoor experience. Consider that if you’re hiking at a higher elevation, the sun’s rays can be stronger, which could catch you off guard. It is a good practice to keep some sunglasses on hand anywhere you venture across Oahu’s great trails.
We hope that this list has provided some useful insights on what to bring along for a hike on Oahu. In our experience, a good backpack with a few of the essentials is good enough for shorter hikes on Oahu. If you’re considering a longer trek, be sure to cover all your bases and bring some of the extras as well. Hiking on Oahu is a treat for us every time - we hope it is for you as well!