Locality: Ko`olau Mountains, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands (21.536803, -157.977299)

Abstract: Preliminary plant checklist complied during day hike (Nov 11, 2015).
Participants: Casey Jones, Cat Peterson, Anne Murphy, Tamara Luthy, Nada McClellan, Evan Yazawa, Shawn Garrard, Melanie Spielman.

Poamoho Ridge Trail is a spectacular ridge hike which traverses along a ridge through mostly native forest up to the Ko`olau Summit. The trail is quite narrow in sections and is not suitable for novice hikers. The trail offers a wide variety of native plants - some of them quite rare. From the summit, Poamoho Trail rewards hikers with awesome views of Kahana and Punalu`u Valleys and the north-eastern shores of Oahu. ACCESS BY PERMIT ONLY.

The trail is part of the Oahu Ko'olau Summit Trail complex. The trail was constructed in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps as a result of collaboration between the Territorial Forestry Division and the United States Army in soliciting Congress for critically needed emergency conservation work funds. During this period, trails were constructed in the Ko'olau Mountains of Oahu, for the purpose of improving access to remove feral animals and for military defense. Over the ensuing sixty years, the Poamoho Trail became one of the premiere recreational hiking rails to the summit of the Ko`olaus. The Ewa Forest Reserve is a significant public watershed and access for hunting, as well as recreational hiking, is critical for the control of feral pig populations to maintain the quality of the watershed.

Trail Length: Access Road: 6 mi. Trail: 3.5 mi.
Terrain: Wet, mountainous. Thick canopy
Elevation: 800 ft

Reference https://hawaiitrails.ehawaii.gov/trail.php?TrailID=OA+08+007