PILP G5 hike to top of Koko Head in Hawaii

From all walks of life in the pacific island nations, we have one common goal and that is to conquer and secure common grounds for a better and great pacific nation as a young and upcoming leaders.

The recent hike undertaken by the Pacific Island Leadership Generation Five (PILP G5) participants to the top of Koko Head was one of the success activity over the weekend as a team. The motivation and guidance on the track while acceding and descending showed team strength.

A view from the base of Koko Head looks tranquil and convincing for a first timer to reach the top of the 368 meter peak within an hour but realities never seemed to exist when starting the hike on the vertical slope. Every hiker has to climb 1,048 stairs/railroad ties, which were originally built over 60 years ago to get supplies to the military bunkers at the top during the Second World War (WWII).

The Koko Head itself has three significant depressions or old vents and its last eruption dates back to 30,000–35,000 years ago.

The curiosity to reach the top of Koko Head to capture the panoramic view of Hanauma Bay was one motivational factor for each of PILP G5 participants on the hiking group. Some of the participants have developed the interest while reading the featured articles and seen photos on social media.  The PILP leadership consultant, Mr. Philippe Lemmonier who organised the hiking led a group of eleven (11) participants from PILP G5 successfully to the peak.

The old stairway or trail proved challenging when two of the participants gave-up midway and the fastest of the group could reach the peak within 45 minutes of which approximately takes more than one hour in average for the active climbers. The site is regularly visited by everyone who lives in Hawaii for physical exercise and also gets the chance to see the remains of WWII bunkers. 

The hiking of Koko Head in some aspects strengthens the mental capability to conquer and not to quit midway given the difficulty the slope stairway presents. The climb to the top concludes achievement or similar to the scenarios in life where we all set goals and ambitions to achieve in life.

The stairway to Koko Head is frequently hiked by residents of Hawaii and tourists from all over the American states and other countries. Old and young or families alike take the hike as personal motivational activity for physical exercise and metal enrichment. PILP G5 participants who have hiked the Koko Head came to realize some practical characteristics of what has been learnt in the leadership lessons under the ‘Wayfinding’ theme and looking forward for more challenges in life.  

‘’I cannot imagine I have made it to the top after most of my times were spent in the office and never done any physical exercises in preparation to hike such a trail to the top. I took it to myself as a personal challenge and goal. Finally I made it to the top’’; said Penitito of Samoa.

The view from the top was amazing and it was first of its kind for the PILP G5 participants who felt like standing on top of Hawaii and looking down to Hanauma bay’s residential developments and part of famous Waikiki beach and area. 

The group spend approximately 30minutes taking photos and descend back to the base.

The PILP G5’s hiking of the day concluded at Hanauma beach for a swim and it was one of the experience as a team.  

PILP-G5 Participants at the top of the Koko Head Lookout Point after reaching the top
PILP G5 Hike to top of Koko Head