The private community offers fantasy views of the Pacific Ocean, Koko Head, and Diamond Head. The neighborhood is made up of more than 500 homes on private road offering amenities such as tennis courts, clubhouses, bbq pavilion, poolside terraces, and 24-hour security. Hawaii Loa Ridge is located in the foothills of the Ko’olau Mountains, its elevation rises from sea level to 1,000 feet. The most recent development of Hawaii Loa Ridge is “The Pointe”, a premier gated community along the western slopes of Hawaii Loa Ridge, within the main gated community.

The Hawaii Loa homeowner’s association is devoted to protecting the priceless views of the ocean, shore, Diamond Head and Koko Head. If you still want to sneak a pick at the houses in the neighborhood and don’t have a six figure bank account to go along with the price tag of these mansions, it is possible to hike the ridge.

The Hawaii Loa Ridge hike offers dramatic panoramas of Hawaii Kai and Waikiki on the south side of O’ahu. On clear days, you can even catch a glimpse of Moloka’i. To get to the trailhead, you will need to make sure that you or someone in your group is a resident of Hawaii and has the license to prove so. No Hawaii license, then no hike for you. The five mile total hike is fairly easy for the first mile or so, but the last mile out, and likewise the first mile back, is a very steep climb. It seems that elevation equals luxury living here on O’ahu.

With views that were once available only to the gods, Hawaii Loa Ridge has the feeling of being in remote location when it is actually located just 20 minutes east of Honolulu, and a short drive to Aina Haina and Kahala Mall.  Also known as “The Ridge,” the Hawaii Loa Ridge subdivision has approximately 500 homes ranging from three to seven bedrooms.  The average home size at Hawaii Loa ridge is 5,326.32 square foot; the average price is $3,576,904.00.1  This gated community is equipped with private roads, 24 hour security, tennis courts, a community building (The Ridge) which is available exclusively to residents, a fitness center, a park (The Paka Nahelea Park) complete with picnic facilities, and access to the Hawaii Loa Ridge trail.  This trail is popular among hikers, but you have to be a Hawaii resident with valid Id and there are limits to how many non-Hawaii Loa Ridge residents are in the subdivision; tourists are not an issue here.

Also located within Hawaii Loa Ridge is another gated community called “The Pointe.” This gated community still has plots available for purchase where one could build a customized dream home.  The Pointe Club, a clubhouse located within the community, offers meeting rooms, a kitchen, tennis courts, and a swimming pool.

Said to be named after the chief who discovered the Hawaiian Islands2, Hawaii Loa Ridge is a community that understands and strives to perfect the high-living lifestyle.

Article by: Amanda Curtis

The Hawaii Loa Ridge trail is located just above the premier Hawaii Loa Ridge subdivision.  To access this hiking trail, you have to obtain permission from the guard at the guard shack, have some form of Hawaii ID or have someone in your hiking party that has one if you do not.  Prior to hiking the Hawaii Loa Ridge trail, every member of your party has to sign a liability waver, which protects the community from lawsuits in the event that you are injured on the trail.  Once permission is granted and wavers signed, you can begin the hike.

This trail is part of the Na Ala Hele trail system, which begins at 1000 feet in elevation, and will summit the breathtaking Ko’olau Mountain range at 1700 feet.  At the entrance of the trail, there is a boot scrubber put in place to help prevent the growth of foreign plants in the area.

When hiking the Hawaii Loa Ridge, always stick to the trail.  The trail borders private property and some of the surrounding areas are used for hunting during hunting season.  In efforts to prevent erosion and provide safety for hikers there are plastic footholds, made from recyclable materials, and ropes to aid in hiking the trail.  When conditions permit, at the summit of this trail hikers will behold the spectacular views of Kailua, Kaneohe, Waimanalo, Honolulu, Waikiki, Diamond Head, and the three-peaked Mount Olomana.