Kalalau Lookout

Lonely Planet review

At the 18-mile marker, the 4000ft Kalalau Lookout faces the emerald depths of the valley and straight out to sea. On clear days, late-afternoon rainbows sweep so deeply into Kalalau Valley that the bottom part of the bows curve back inward. Bright-red 'apapane birds feed from the ohia-lehua flowers near the lookout railings.

Kalalau Valley was once the site of a large settlement and was joined to Koke'e by a very steep trail that ran down the cliffs. Today the only way into the valley is along the coastal Kalalau Trail from Ha'ena on the North Shore or by kayak .

The paved road continues another mile to Pu'u o Kila Lookout, where it dead-ends at a parking lot. At the time of research, this last stretch of road was closed to vehicular traffic; thus you must walk a mile to the lookout. From this lookout, you'll find another grand view into Kalalau Valley and a glance inland toward the Alaka'i Wilderness Preserve.