HONOLULU — A local effort to find hiking companions has grown into a community-minded club that emphasizes safety, respect for trails and a welcoming atmosphere for people from diverse backgrounds.
From ʻAiea shortcuts to organized hikes
The Honolulu Hiking Club traces its roots to childhood outings in ʻAiea, where founder Shilo Garner first discovered a taste for exploration. As a teenager he and his friends skateboarded around the island, rode TheBus and spent hot afternoons cooling off at Waimano Falls after sessions in Waimano Valley.
After working in graphic design and fashion production in San Francisco and New York, Garner returned to Oʻahu in 2022. He hiked often with his mother, but said he wanted a consistent, like-minded group to hike with on a weekly basis.
Skatepark culture informs a hiking community
Garner has spoken about the influence of skateboard culture in shaping his idea of community: a place where people from different backgrounds can meet on common ground. That thinking inspired him to start organizing hikes with the hope of replicating the camaraderie he remembered from skateparks.
He launched the Honolulu Hiking Club in 2024. Early outings included hikes near Honolulu such as the ʻAiea Loop Trail. The club’s first few events were modest — only two people attended a third hike in Hauʻula — a moment Garner described as daunting and one that prompted him to question the project’s future.
“Man, I can’t be the only one who thinks this. There has to be other people who have the same issue as me. What if I try to gather all these like-minded people to hike with each other?”
That uncertainty shifted when attendance spiked: one waterfall hike drew about 10 new participants, a turnout that made Garner more aware of group safety and trail stewardship responsibilities.
Growth, visibility and an evolving mission
Garner, often seen leading hikes in a neon green hat, said the club has since grown "exponentially," and so has its mission. What began as an attempt to secure hiking companions has broadened into creating "a safe place for people to come and respect and enjoy Hawaiʻi," he said.
The club’s evolution reflects two priorities:
- Building a welcoming, regular community for hikers across backgrounds
- Emphasizing safety and care for trails as participation increases
Local implications for Honolulu hikers
The rise of organized groups like the Honolulu Hiking Club highlights both the demand for outdoor community activities and the need for responsible trail use. As more people join guided hikes, leaders like Garner face logistical and safety questions — from group size and ability levels to minimizing impacts on sensitive areas.
Trail managers and residents have repeatedly urged recreational users to follow established guidelines, stay on marked paths and respect private and culturally significant sites. Organized clubs can help by educating members about proper conduct and by modeling low-impact recreation.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Garner returns to Oʻahu and hikes frequently with his mother |
| 2024 | Honolulu Hiking Club founded; early hikes near Honolulu and in Hauʻula |
| Recent | Club experiences rapid growth; focus expands to safety and stewardship |
For Honolulu residents, the club’s story is a reminder that grassroots groups can both increase access to outdoor recreation and bear responsibility for preserving the very places they enjoy. Club leaders and participants alike will play a role in how well Oʻahu’s trails weather increased local interest.
As the Honolulu Hiking Club continues to organize hikes and attract new members, participants and onlookers should expect continued emphasis on safety, community and respect for Hawaiʻi’s natural and cultural resources.
