Showing 1-13 of 13 results
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Ahupua'a 'O Kahana State Park
Ahupua'a 'O Kahana State Park (formerly Kahana Valley State Park) is in an incredibly rainy and unspoiled valley. You can walk through the valley on either of two hiking trails. The orientation center provides a trail map, but it isn't always open to visitors; trails tend to be poorly maintained and conditions slippery.
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Crouching Lion
The legend goes like so: the rock is a demigod from Tahiti who was cemented to the mountain during a jealous struggle between the volcano goddess Pele and her sister Hiiaka. When he tried to free himself by crouching, he was turned to stone. To find him, stand at the restaurant sign just north of the 27-mile marker with your back to the ocean and look straight up to the left of the coconut tree and the cliff above.
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Diamond Head State Monument
The massive backdrop to Waikiki, Diamond Head rises 763ft to its fish-shaped summit. The bare and scalloped land mass is a tuff cone and crater formed by a violent steam explosion deep beneath the earth's surface long after most of O'ahu's volcanic activity had stopped. Diamond Head State Monument is popular for its hiking trail to the crater rim with panoramic views. Plenty of people of all ages make the three-quarters of a mile hike.
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Halona Blowhole
Heading east from Hanauma Bay, the road skirts past several lookouts and the geographical oddity of the Halona Blowhole. Here the water surges through a submerged tunnel in the rock and spouts up through a hole in the ledge. It's preceded by a gushing sound, created by the air that's being forced out by the rushing water. The action depends on water conditions - sometimes it's barely discernible, while at other times it's a showstopper.
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Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
A stunning ensemble of sapphire and turquoise hues mix together in modern-art abstractions in Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, the remnants of an eroded crater. Just below the sparkling surface are coral reefs, some of which are 7000 years old. Schools of glittering silver fish, bright blue flashes of parrotfish and perhaps a sea turtle are just a few of the regulars who are so used to snorkelers that many will go eyeball to face mask with you.
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He'eia State Park
He'eia State Park on Kealohi Point, just off Kamehameha Hwy, has a good view of He'eia Fishpond on the right and He'eia-Kea Harbor on the left. The fishpond, an impressive survivor from the days when stone walled ponds of fish raised for royalty were common on Hawaiian shores, remains largely intact despite the invasive mangroves.
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James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
Four miles beyond Kahuku, heading towards Turtle Bay Resort, James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge encompasses a rare freshwater wetland that provides habitat for Hawaii's four endangered waterbirds - the Hawaiian coot, the Hawaiian stilt, the Hawaiian duck and the Hawaiian moor hen. During stilt nesting season, normally mid-February to October, the refuge is off-limits to visitors. The rest of the year, it can only be visited on a guided tour.
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Kawainui Marsh
Kawainui Marsh is one of Hawaii's largest freshwater marshes and provides flood protection for the town of Kailua. The inland water catchment is also one of the largest remaining fishponds used by ancient Hawaiians. Legend says the edible mud of the ancient fishpond was home to a mo'o (lizard spirit).
Downstream from Kawainui is the smaller Hamakua Marsh, which provides habitat for rare Hawaiian birds in their natural habitat.
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Kualoa Regional Park
The 153-acre Kualoa Regional Park on Kualoa Point provides an expansive vista of offshore islands and inland mountains. In ancient times Kualoa was once one of the most sacred places on O'ahu. When a chief stood on Kualoa Point, passing canoes lowered their sails in respect. There are picnic tables, rest rooms, showers and a lifeguard. Camping is allowed from Friday through Sunday. The children of chiefs were brought here to be raised.
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Makapu'u Point
Makapu'u Point has a precipitous view of the ocean from its 647ft pedestal. The coastal lighthouse at its tip marks the easternmost point of O'ahu. The gate to the mile-long service road is locked to keep out private vehicles, but hikers can park off the highway just beyond and walk in. Although not difficult, it's an uphill walk, and conditions can be hot and windy. The path and the lighthouse lookout give fine coastal views and, during winter, whales are sometimes visible offshore.
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Moku O Lo'e
Moku O Lo'e (Coconut Island), once a royal playground, was named for the coconut trees planted there by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. In the 1930s it was the estate of Christian Holmes, heir to the Fleischmann fortune, who dredged the island, doubling its size to 25 acres. During WWII it was also used as an R&R facility. In the 1960s the island was used in the filming of the popular Gilligan's Island TV series.
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Nu'uanu Pali Lookout
Whatever you do, don't miss the ridge-top Nu'uanu Pali Lookout with its sweeping vista of windward O'ahu from a height of 1200ft (366m). From the lookout you can see Kane'ohe straight ahead, Kailua to the right, and Mokoli'i Island and the coastal fishpond at Kualoa Regional Park to the far left.
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Shark's Cove
Shark's Cove is beautiful both above and below the surface. The origin of its name is uncertain, but sharks are no more common here than anywhere else on the island. It's part of the Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District, dedicated to conserving the unusual coral reef here, noteworthy because of its resistance to the impact of big winter waves. From May to October, when the seas are generally calm, it offers great snorkeling and diving.
Showing 1-13 of 13 results
