The Pan-Pacific Festival created traffic havoc in my neighborhood today, but rather than flee to another part of the island, I decided to venture to Kalakaua and check out the parade this afternoon.

There were lions. There was taiko. There were hula troupes from Japan, which had added a slightly odd, but very spirited clapping to the traditional Hawaiian dance.

There were also the Obama Girls. No, not skin-bearing Amber Lee Ettinger of “I Got a Crush on Obama” fame, I’m talking about the REAL Obama Girls — from Obama, Japan.

Obama Girls: “We come from Obama city in Japan.” (Love the guy in green leading with the sign.)

Since one Obama has exploded on the national and international scene, the other Obama, a fishing town of about 32,000 in central Japan, has enthusiastically showered support upon the presidential candidate with “I Love Obama” t-shirts, Obama bean cakes, which bear his likeness, and recently, the hula-dancing Obama Girls. Although they cannot vote in November, they seek to promote relations between Obama, Japan and Hawaii.

“Obama” in Japanese means “small shore.”

In March, MSNBC reported that Barack Obama sent a thank-you letter to the town — but officials, in true Japanese fashion, were still trying to find out if it was authentic:

Town officials said they believed the letter was genuine, although they had not verified it. They said they were concerned that it would be impolite to ask the candidate’s office.

Two friends and I decided to do a hike to Likeke Falls yesterday morning, starting from the Pali Lookout.

We started off following the old Pali road which winds off to the right of the lookout. The path is pretty overgrown in some places, and at one point covered with huge boulders. We weren’t quite sure what to do when it led us right down to the current Pali Highway.

Our directions said to climb down underneath the highway, and walk under the two huge overpasses with cars racing by at high speeds just a few feet overhead. So, to get under the highway, we descended a metal ladder that someone had kindly set up as an alternative to a set of makeshift wooden stairs. That was one of the more exciting parts of the hike!

We emerged on the Old Pali Highway and followed the route as it led down to a “Y” in the road with a small bridge to the left. The switchback trail leading into the forest starts right next to the bridge.

From there, it was about a 15 or 20-minute hike before the sound of rushing water reached our ears and we came upon Likeke Falls, a beautiful 30-foot waterfall with a shallow swimming area.

Because the hike is not as well-known as some other hikes on the island, like Manoa Falls, your hiking group has a good chance of being alone with this awesome waterfall — even on a Saturday afternoon on Memorial Day Weekend.

Growing up in Manoa, I have a special place in my heart for Manoa Falls. Unfortunately, some trails like Manoa Falls have become busier and busier since they began to appear in more hiking guide books. Now, you’re never alone when you hike Manoa Falls.

The Likeke Trail continues for several miles past the Falls, but we stopped there to cool our feet and eat some oranges before heading back up to the Pali Lookout — and to Kaka’ako Kitchen for a well-deserved lunch.

Hope everyone’s getting out of the house and enjoying the long weekend and the nice weather!

Click here for more info about the Likeke Trail.