The Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail is my new favorite hiking spot in Oahu. It's an easy 2 hour hike with spectacular ocean views. I thoroughly enjoyed this walk from beginning to end. read more

Truth be told, I'm not much of an of an outdoor person. I just don't like nature. Nature pisses me off. And that sucks because Nature is really difficult to get away from. I mean it's freaking everywhere, just go outside. Which I am loathe to do. It's just so unpleasant. It's always either too cold or too hot. Or it's too windy. And there are god damn bugs every where. So of course, I've never been much of a hiker. Actually I'm not a big fan of walking, either. Walking just seems like such a 20th Century activity. So old-fashioned. Like you can imagine your grandparents doing it. It would be so much better if they just replaced all the stairs in the world with escalators. All sidewalks should be those moving sidewalks like they have at big hotels or convention centers. Let's get moving on this! Who the hell needs flying cars? Cars are already modern as hell. They practically drive themselves. Forget flying cars, let's just modernize the damn stairs and sidewalks. And hiking trails! All hiking trails need to be paved, like this one. This trail I like. I mean, have you ever been hiking? Some trails are so dangerous. A lot of the time they are just dirt. The ground is often rocky and completely uneven. And I am sick and tired of having to take my eyes off my phone to watch where I am walking when I'm hiking. That defeats the whole purpose of even having a phone. But this trail is not like most hiking trails I have been on. Most of all, I like that it's asphalt all the way to the top. You don't have to worry about tripping over stupid rocks and debris all the damn time. It's totally phone friendly. You never have to take your eyes off your phone if you don't want to. As sweet as this trail is, you wonder what's stopping them from making it better. The trail is plenty wide enough to run a shuttle service to the top. It would probably be a money maker. I know I'd pay $10 for someone to drive me up to see the lighthouse. Probably a lot of other fat guys would too. But, so far, no shuttle. Nevertheless, if you are like me and not really a hiker, you can probably do this hike. There's a good amount of elevation gain, but it's fairly gradual and if you take your time, it's very doable. I saw some people in way worse physical shape than me giving it a shot. And you don't have to make it to the summit to see the lighthouse. There's a landing about 2/3 the way up that affords a nice view too. If you only make it that far, I'm still going to give you credit for the whole hike. Because I know how it is. Mikey C says: it's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll. read more

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Beautiful paved trail. There are a lot of people and dogs on trail so be prepared that it's not a "quiet" hike. But the views are stunning at the top and it's a must see if on Oahu! read more

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The parking here is terrible on weekends and middle of the day. It is very crowded and congested. It is best to hike this in the morning before 10 am or late afternoon around 4 pm. The middle of the day is most heated and likely to get sunburned. That's what happened to my group. My daughter and I got heat exhaustion from hiking the middle of the day. And everyone got burned. It is also the most crowded in the middle of the day. We had to park at the entrance of the park. There were also a ton of dogs. More than the usual. Tried to keep the distance. This hike in the middle of the day is not good for someone with animal allergies. When I got back, I had to deal with the heat sickness and an allergy attack. I'd hike this again just not on a weekend or the middle of the day. read more

Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This is a great free hiking spot for those that are looking for a nice and easy uphill stroll. There's parking onsite, but depending on when you arrive, the lot may be full, and you'll need to find other parking accommodations. When we arrived around 10am on a Monday morning, the lot was already starting to fill up and people were beginning to parallel park along the sides of the road leading to the trailhead. This hike is completely paved, so any comfortable pair of shoes will be fine. There is nearly no shaded areas on this hike, so I definitely recommend applying sunscreen, and wearing a hat to keep yourself a bit more cool if you're planning to go mid-morning/mid-day when the sun is fully out. As always, make sure to bring water along as well to stay hydrated. At the end of the trail, the set of stairs lead up to a platform where you can view the lighthouse below. It was nice and breezy up on the platform when we went, so we stayed a bit to cool off and enjoy the views before heading back down. If you're lucky, you may even spot some whales in the water! read more

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This trail was so nice! I listened to other reviews and chose to go at about 4:00 PM. Perfect time! I would go in either the morning or evening, not midday. There is no shade and it's a steady incline, so very easy to overheat. I was lucky with the time and day I went because it was super windy and a bit overcast which was nice! The wind was a nice cool down when I was getting hot. Because I went during a weekday and during the early evening, there was a lot of parking available and the trail was not packed at all. I was able to stop and read all of the informative signs about the trail/lighthouse. People were walking with their babies, toddlers and doggos too! So pet friendly. It wasn't a difficult trail but if you go during a hot time or don't hike often, it will definitely feel like a good workout. I definitely worked up a sweat! read more

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Not a difficult hike, you're walking along a pavement the whole time and getting some great coastal views along the way. Deceivingly, this trail doesn't lead you straight to the makapu'u point lighthouse, you're actually going to end up above where the lighthouse actually is. There might be an off-road trail leading to the lighthouse as we saw a few people down there, but they might be frowned upon. We did this trail right after Koko head trail, and this was a breeze in comparison LOL nice views, but wish we were able to walk up to the lighthouse. read more

Awesome place. Beautiful road, view, the hike is not difficult, about an hour. Would definitely recommend to meet the sunset there read more

Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail - Beautiful road, view, the hike is not difficult, about an hour. Would definitely recommend to meet the sunset there - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Woke up early to catch the sunrise at Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail. Gates aren't open before sunrise (they open at 7am), so folks parked on the street and just had to walk further to get to the trail. This is a long, gentle incline on a wide, smoothly paved trail, but it's well worth the view of the lighthouse and ocean at the top. According to my phone, this was approximately 27 flights of stairs up over 1.5 miles. I would budget a solid 30-40 minutes to get to the top before sunrise. No bathroom and no shade on this trail. Dogs allowed on leash. Also, you'll likely spot some wildlife (the moongoose are invasive). This is probably the trail to bring your elderly parents, or maybe your friends who really don't like hiking. You can easily do this in sandals, but you can definitely see some locals powerwalking or jogging this as a regular workout or pushing a running stroller. Parking is a bit of a gamble in the lot, but you may luck out and not have to park on the road if someone is leaving. I came back mid afternoon and lucked out that someone was leaving their spot. Overall, this is the easiest, most view for your effort "hike" on the island. read more

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While in Hawaii I wanted to do a least one hike. Something that was not too hard or long. After a quick Google search I was recommended Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trial. The hike was pretty easy but kinda hard I was literally drenched in sweat when I made it to the top. keep in mind it was hot, I am not an avid hiker and I was not at the top of my fitness game when I did this hike. What made me feel better was another couple taking a break on the bench and asked us how much longer until they make it to the top... and how they thought it was going to be an easy hike because YouTube said the hike was family friendly haha. But the hike was totally worth it. I got to see some amazing views and whales. I would recommend this hike to any one. read more

Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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What a great trail to walk. It's full of beautiful views as you walk the paved trail. They have in the park parking, but it is always full. Its not bad as people are always coming and going,. They open at 7am, but you can park on the street before 7am. The park has a lot of people in the park before it opens. They do not have bathrooms, but do have trash cans. read more

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We hiked here around noon. It was a mistake but thankfully we brought an umbrella for the heat. We got several comments ranging from "Smart for bring an umbrella" to "This dude has an umbrella" lol. The hike is a little bit longer than it looks. I think it's not that hard if it wasn't for the heat. The trails are not that steep either. It's all concrete but you could feel the heat radiating off of the concrete. Overall I think it's a little bit of a disappointment cause you can't even walk to the lighthouse itself. The views are nice but there are definitely better hikes here in Oahu. read more

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Fun path with great coastal views along the way to the final (windy) lookout point. I'm not sure if this path is relatively new or not, but it is paved all the way to the point, with good runoff management. Interesting terrain, with actual cactus plants and a seemingly dryer microclimate. Dog and stroller friendly. Must be well known for walking dogs, as 1/3 of the people had dogs. Not all of the dog owners were great about cleaning up after their pets, which is unfortunate. I take off one star because they could install some dog cleanup stations, but ultimately it is on the dog owners to be responsible for their own cleanup. read more

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So, reading into the trail, I read that it opened up at 0700 am. Yet, I saw a lot of sunrise photos, so here's how. The parking lot opens at 0700. But when I went, it was opened around 0630. So front row parking was awesome. However, if you want to come sooner to enjoy the breath taking sunrise, you must park along the road and walk to through the parking lot and up. Bring lighting, if you do! IT IS ALL UPHILL!!! But it is a manageable steep. With knee surgery and hip pains, I had no issues what so ever. A great workout that was easy on the knees. Even the downhill wasn't pressure on the knees. Sadly, I didn't see any whales, but they have a look out to where you can whale watch. Just make sure you're doing it within season. I would definitely do it again, maybe even try pushing my daughter up on the stroller. I would just be cautious on the way down. *TIP: Use the stroller tether strap that goes around the wrist, just in case you slip. read more

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Did this hike two days in a row we liked it so much! It takes maybe an hour to an hour and a half to walk up to the top. You can do the main hike in flip flops but definitely dress in light layers because you get SO hot & sweaty during the first part which is non-stop incline. But as soon as you get to the first and 2nd switchback a lovely breeze hits you to cool off. The top is totally windy! Which is so welcome after hiking for a while. We saw some light brown mongoose skittering across the trail in different places, along with lots of birds. We spotted no whales, but there's plenty of places to look for them. HIKING TO THE TIDE POOLS: Not for the faint of heart! At the 3rd lookout station off the pavement (with view finders) the trail to the pools starts. Pack hiking or tennis shoes. Seriously. I saw a few people suffering with their flip-flops, plus it'd be miserable if you cut your toe open anywhere on that trail... there's lots of sharp lava rock all over. Also pack a swimsuit, sunscreen, a towel, and cold drinks and a power bar. I say this bc I had a bit of low-blood sugar hiking back up the trail and luckily we had water and a guava juice which really helped! Honestly, Aqua-socks with grip on the bottom would be ideal to explore this area although they aren't very cute! Always keep a close eye on the ocean and it's waves while you explore the tide pools. Never turn your back on the ocean. We aware there is tiny urchins living in the crevices under the water so be careful not to step on them, it would really hurt the both of you! 10/10 recommended this hike, it appeals to hikers of all different levels. read more

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6/11/21 Probably one of my favorite hikes on Oahu. Me and my girlfriend finally went hiking after having put it on the back end for so long due to the pandemic. We decided to go to Makapu'u lighthouse trail on this holiday. Location/ Parking/ Hours: Makapu'u lighthouse trial is located on the east side of Oahu a little past Hawaii Kai golf course. Parking is okay here as there are parking stalls at trail head and side parking at the entrance of coming here. Definitely would come early or give your time to come here as it can get busy and parking can get packed. This trail is open everyday from 7a- 630p. Scenery/ Distance: Makapu'u Lighthouse trail is definitely known for that iconic lighthouse shot at the end but you'll also see the beautiful blue skys and ocean as you walk along the trail. It's also good for early morning hikes as you can watch the sun rise. On this day that we went it was pretty sunny and clear so we was able to see the island of Molokai in the distance as well. Makapu'u lighthouse is relatively a shorter hike for avid hiker. It's about a 2 mile hike and takes about less than an hour round trip if your not stopping to take pics. This hike can be pretty tough if your not in the best of shape as well because the first part of the hike is a up hill incline. Lucky they have nice paved trails for this hike but don't expect much shade and it can definitely get pretty hot here so please bring water. However I do think it's a hike for all ages though. Extra tip: If you come here during Dec - May you might see whales off the distance. Also halfway up this trail is the start of the Makapu'u tide pools trail but only hike down if your fit and sure footed. All and all I can't say enough about this trail. Makapu'u lighthouse trail is definitely one of my favorite hikes on Oahu. Definitely well maintain and beautiful views. You'll for sure see us here from time to time. read more

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A paved trail and gorgeous views! The experience of walking up the Makapu'u trail to its lighthouse is a five star experience that most people of varying fitness levels will be able to enjoy. It's possible to walk this path with children, pets, and older (or slightly out of shape) individuals who feel comfortable walking at an incline for approximately 30-45 minutes. There are also resting areas along the trail to take a break and whale watch. Once you get to the top, be prepared to take in the beautiful blue sky, Rabbit Island, and the Waimanalo shoreline as a perfect backdrop to your selfies and vacation photographs! If you are an experienced hiker, Makapu'u will seem like a breeze, but it's still worth an hour of your day to just walk up and down the trail and take some photographs, before heading to the more challenging Koko Head Crater trail down the road from Makapu'u. As someone who loves walking and hiking outdoors, but is uneasy about a lot of rocky, muddy, unpaved, and quite frankly dangerous hiking trails in Hawaii, I wish the state would allocate resources toward improving public access to Hawaii's many beautiful mountains by creating more paved trails such as the this one. Too many hiking enthusiasts continue to risk their lives by accessing illegal and dangerous hiking trails. Makapu'u was repaved in 2015 and is now one of the most popular walks among tourists and residents alike. Several drawbacks that should not keep you from visiting this beautiful trail are the absence of restroom facilities and the lack of parking spaces, especially when it gets very crowded on the weekend. We were lucky to get a parking space next to the start of the trail, but on a busy weekend, it is common to see cars parked from the start of the trail all the way out onto Kalanianaole Highway. Just be sure to wear sunscreen, go to the bathroom before getting to Makapu'u, bring a bottle of water for the walk, and hide valuables in the trunk or leave them at home. There are signs warning about thefts in the parking lot. read more

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It's an easy and nice walking/hiking trail. Completely paved and can be crowded if you go later in the morning. It's not covered so if you do go later, make sure you have sunblock already on plus a hat because it'll be straight sun right above you in late June. A good 7000 steps up and back, 2 miles or so round trip. You cannot to the light house but quite cool to see it from the side on the walk up and from the top at the top of the lookout. Great for families of all ages to go. Some inclines but minimal and your thighs and heart will tell you when you're on those inclines. Feeling great after. Parking- small parking lot but ppl park along the road in on the dirt so no issues of parking. No bathroom. No water area. read more

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What a great family hike! This hike is a steady incline, but very family friendly I am super glad that I brought my daughter with us. The views are breathtaking! I know you hear that a lot here in Hawaii, but seriously they are! I will be back and enjoy this hike! I recommend getting there and enjoying sunset and or sunrise. It was quite windy when I went yesterday so be sure and check the weather and bring a light jacket. You can run, or bike up this path ( at your own risk) ad I stated it's up hill on the way up so good luck with that. read more

Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail - Views from the top - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Beautiful hike with stunning scenery. You can see nearly all around the island from this hike. Also a great spot to spot some whales in the winter time. We were able to see several whales on the way up. The entire trail is paved. People were pushing strollers and pulling wagons with their kids in there however it would make me nervous as there are definitely steep areas and sheer cliffs. So if you're planning on bringing strollers I'd recommend some type of tether such as those used on jogging strollers. read more

Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Easiest "hike" in Oahu that offers great views, open spaces and dedicated parking spaces. The lighthouse trail is completely paved and offers little to no shade depending on the time of day of your visit. Note that the Makapu'u Tidepool area is now restricted and visitors are to not climb down to the area due to the dangerous waves. You are at your own risk if you decide to go down. Parking can fill up fairly quickly, but on a weekday visit in 9/2021, I was able to find a lot of spaces at 8:30am. The lighthouse is worth the trek and the hike for an averagely fit person will take 30-1hr depending if one takes photos :) read more

Definitely a good hike up. From the parking lot to the is about 1.4 to 1.5 miles. Definitely will count as some good exercise with a gorgeous view. The path/trail is a nicely paved smooth trail all the way to the . We bumped into a few runners who ran to the & back with no issues. You can get some breathtaking views from the top & of the lighthouse. Definitely worth the sweat read more

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The Makapu'u Point offers outstanding views of Oahu's southeastern coastline. It a moderate hike and it's perfect for the whole family. I do recommend going for a sunrise hike. Bring plenty of water. read more

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I think it's terribly deceiving to call this a lighthouse trail when there is no lighthouse at the end. Well, there is, but it's at the bottom of the cliff you just hiked up. And, there's no way to access it. And, unless you're terribly tall or have a selfie stick, there's almost no way to capture a picture of you and the lighthouse together. That said, it's still a very beautiful and easy "hike". It's completely paved, less than 2 miles roundtrip, and has easy access to scenic ocean views. Unless you are morbidly unhealthy or physically disabled, this should really be classified as a "stroll'. read more

My friend recommended this place as the best for non-hikers/hikers. After hiking with a dress around 30', I really enjoyed with the best view and fresh air. I saved this place for the next trip. :) read more

Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Easy hike with beautiful views! I have hiked this trail so many times. It is a fairly easy hike to the top. The path is paved the entire way and has several scenic viewing areas. Great for dogs and kids. I have even taken some of my students to this hike on field trips. The views from the top are breathtaking and make it well worth the effort. Sometime you can even see whales! I suggest doing this hike early morning or before sunset. There is no shade along the trail and it can get hot. Sunrise and sunset views are gorgeous! read more

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I would rate this as more than a moderate walk. It's mostly an incline and in Hawaii weather, it's hot. Make sure you bring water, it's important to stay hydrated with the amount of sweat you produce. Also- please, please, please- DO NOT BRING YOUR PETS. Dogs overheat much quicker and easier than humans. Your dogs are not comfortable walking this path. Do not chance it- leave them home. read more

An easy 2.0 mile roundtrip trail with only a 500 feet elevation gain that is more of a stroll than a hike. It took us a little over an hour to finish. The path is completely paved with multiple lookouts. The view at the peak is not breathtaking, but is nice with a coastal scenery. The Makapu'u Lighthouse can be seen down below too. There seemed to be other routes that branch out at the top, and the trail down to the lighthouse was blocked off. The trail is open to the public as well as free parking. The lot is small and the majority of the visitors park on the side of the road. It was full when we arrived around 10 AM on a weekday. No bathroom is available. read more

Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail - Peak View. - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Pretty popular sunrise hike among locals and tourists. There'll be lots of cars parked along the highway before 7. There's a nice paved road that goes all the way to the end. It's about 2-3 miles long total. Good views of the sunrise along the way. We didn't go to the tide pools. read more

It's more of an urban hike because the trail is paved. It's great if you are looking for something quick and easy because you definitely need hiking shoes. Although it's not much of a hike, the view was so so worth. As you get closer to the top, there is a sign informing you of whale watching. We actually saw a a whale! Once you reach the top of the stairs/view point, you can see the bright blue ocean and the beaches in the distant. It's breathtaking! read more

Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This was certainly the best way to start my first morning in Honolulu with an old friend. The best way to convince me to wake up at 6:00 and out of bed is for a glimpse at beauty scenery of the Pacific, and that's exactly what the Makapu'u trail offers. Located on the eastern shores of Oahu, this hiking trail is a must for any visitor or local in the area. The uphill, paved trail is fairly easy and doesn't require a lot of experience hiking to be able to complete. On your way up the steady incline, you are rewarded with amazing views of mountain scapes and waves crashing and carrying its marine blue waters to the shore. Take a 360 turn on any of the viewing points and you'll be amazed at how peaceful the experience really becomes. Once you make it to the top, it's another breathtaking view that is worth every step. While the lighthouse is nearby, it's really the ocean waters that really carry your senses away. I would absolutely come back here any day to relive the moments. Bring a snack, take in the crisp air, and really reflect on how life has brought you to this point thus far. Parking is available at the bottom of the path. It gets busy on weekends so be sure to arrive early in the morning to gain a spot. read more

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Super easy, stroller friendly hike. The only bummer is limited parking so that's usually an issue but if you don't mind waiting or even better car pooling with someone else, then you'll definitely enjoy the hike. We always saw whales in November. That hike is just so fun, easy and kid friendly. read more

This is a stunning and relatively easy "hike". I put that in quotes because it is entirely paved with stops along the way to enjoy the whales/ocean view in general. The lighthouse itself is OFF LIMITS so don't get caught going down there. Parking is the only thing that detracts from this hike as you have to either get lucky or circle for eternity before finding a spot. Although I said it was relatively easy... it is still UPHILL and no handguards/no shade or seats until the top...also no water... so a person that isn't fit will have a harder time walking up. Just take it slow. bring water/hat and comfy shoes. read more

Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail - View along the trail - Hiking Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This is a great trail for beginners. The views are phenomenal and its paved all the way to the lighthouse lookout. Sunrise/sunsets are amazing. you can see from Hawaii Kai all the way to Kaneohe. Lots of joggers and dogs on the trail as well. There is a portion of the trails that goes higher inland after the lookout but I honestly havent been up there. its a short trip. Be cautious on the trail though and stay on the paved route. Some people go down hill a bit and there lots of uneven parts and a sheer drop with lots of cactuses along the way. looks like if you trip, you're keep going. Seasonally, its pretty common to see humpback whales breaching out of the water and if you get a super clear day you can see neighboring islands such as molokai, maui, and even the Big Island! Bring water and sunblock or hats. There isn't much shade on the trail and there is a tendency to be high winds. But its a nice workout and great if you're not into sludging through muddy trails for a view. read more

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This is one of my favorite hikes on island. Mostly because it is paved, very kid/toddler/infant friendly, the views are gorgeous, and the tide pools are so much fun! I've walked this trail countless times with friends and family. The path is pretty wide so there is more than enough room to pass those who cruise along if you walk at a faster pace. Parking can be scarce at times but I usually score closer to the start of the trail, (knock on wood). If your dog is friendly, by all means bring them along! Just stay away from the ledge because there aren't really any guard rails. There is a trail not too far up the trail that leads down to the tide pools. Hubby and I had some free time and decided to check it out. So worth it! Always be careful and never trust Mother Nature and don't ever turn your back. Standing on the ledge near where the waves crash is just asking the ocean to sweep you out. Waves can come up pretty far so try to have your bags somewhere far away but in a distance you can see. Go Pros is a must but just have them tied around your wrist. read more

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Amazing views! It was entirely paved. The sections with stairs had safety rails. As an overweight asthmatic senior, I found it easy.

I hiked this & many other trails on 09/12 during my first visit to Hawai'i & posted a vlog! Search "Nikko Gandia Travels" on YT. Parking lot was almost full by 7:30am on a Friday. Great views at the summit of Makapu'u Beach and the rest of the east coastline in the distance. Easy gradual incline and paved trail all the way through. read more

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It's one of the best hikes on Oahu. It's paved and the scenery is spectacular. You can also spot whales in the ocean if you're lucky. The parking can be a pain. The lot is rather small, but it's free. We just park along the highway on the opposite side. The trail is within Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline in Waimanalo. It's two miles round trip and has an elevation of 500 feet when you reach the top. read more

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Amazing views of the ocean, especially when coming back down from the top. Warning that although the trail itself is not rigorous, the heat from the sun onto the blacktop can make it very tough on your body. There's a sign on the trail that says the blacktop temperature reaches up to 130 degrees in normal weather and I was definitely feeling it. Bring plenty of water and a hat or something to protect you from the intense rays from the sun read more

During our last trip to Oahu, we made sure we did at least a few hikes to burn off some of the many rice plates that we consumed. Maku'u'pu trail was one of them! We woke up around 5:00 AM and made our way over. We parked across the street since the main parking lot wasn't open yet. This trail is fully paved, making it a little easier. However with that said, I would not label this hike as "easy"..more like moderate--but then again, I am not athletic by any means! There is definitely an incline all the way up, and by the end of it, my legs hated me! But I did it, and if I can do it, so can you! It was early enough for us to catch the sunrise, which was breathtaking. There is no shade on this trail, so be sure to bring plenty of water, a hat, some sunscreen, and comfy shoes. There are also no restrooms along this trail, so be sure to empty your tank before starting! read more

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