Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail

Always amazing to fall asleep on a plane and wake up in my former home state of Hawaii.
My heart has always been split between my home in Ohio and my home in Hawaii. It’s a treat to arrive on Oahu to visit friends and family. Every time I arrive I quickly realize I don’t have near enough time to go to my fav spots, eat the best grinds, and see my old friends.

My time here will be filled with good laughs with old friends, tons of shave ice, lots of nature, and late nights filling my belly with beer and wine.

So get ready to join me on this journey, it’s going to be rather fun!!

First on the list:

Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail

Lots to offer adventurers visiting Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline. 1) A nice out and back hike to Makapu’u Point Lighthouse 2) The opportunity to spot a whale or two (no luck for us today) 3) Epic pictures 4) Tide pools at the bottom of the cliff with views of crashing waves reaching land!

Let’s start with the lighthouse hike!

You’ll park at the Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline. Parking is free, but as you can see from the image below you are parking on the road so it does fill up quickly.

After you park you’ll head to the trail which is nicely paved since it’s also a way for workers to access the lighthouse.

The hardest part about the 1-mile hike up to the lighthouse is the heat. So you may want to check the weather before you go, or go in the am to beat some of the heat.

Views on the way up are priceless. You’re taking in scenery of Hawaii Kai on your right and eventually at the top views of Waimanalo and one of my favorites Rabbit Island! (Which we’ll talk about in more detail later.)

Once you start to near the top you’ll be able to see the lighthouse and my fav Rabbit Island. I’ve been obsessed with the island since I was a kid. The island used to inhabit rabbits and in 1994 the rabbits were removed because they started destroying the ecosystem of the island.

On your way back down from the hike, you can go ahead and check out the tide pools. You’ll most likely see people heading down a cliff and think to yourself where are those people going?!? Well they are headed to the Makapu’u Tide Pools and we’re headed there now too!!

When you see this sign then you know you’re in the right spot!

The trail leads down from here and is very steep. Lots of loose gravel can be found on the way and the trail is not marked. Be careful and understand that this may not be for everyone!

If you lose sight of the trail just keep looking down and you’ll see the tide pools. May also be a good time to keep your eyes on the crashing waves, this way you know where is safe to stand and what tide pool you can jump in to play. This area can become dangerous quickly so don’t turn your back to the current when your in the tide pool and watch those waves!

There is also a cool blow hole down at the tide pools. Check that out too, be safe, and take lots of pics. Enjoy!

Oh and look at my new lil friend. Awwwee! Adventure awaits!