Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail

Oh, oh Makapu'u.  This hike (and I use that word loosely) is a widely accessible, paved hike lasting about 2-2.5 miles round trip.  It is wide enough to get a golf cart or emergency vehicle up.  The trail has been recently renovated and repaired, improving lookouts and pavement conditions.

There are several scenic lookouts on the way up with the end of the trail being entirely scenic.  The trail ends at a recently built lookout point to Makapu'u Beach and Waimanalo Beach.  The Makapu'u point is home to a lighthouse, marking the southeast corner of Oahu.  To actually see the lighthouse, we had to hike up and adjacent hill to the top to see it.  We've been told you can go around the other side, off the paved path, and see the lighthouse as well (Kathryn got around during her visit and got up close).  It still seems a bit odd to me that they built all of this up, but didn't make the lighthouse viewable.  But I digress...

On the way back, we hiked down a cliff path towards some tide pools and a blow hole known as dragon's nostrils. We realized half-way down that we needed better trail shoes with real tread, but it was still a very cool site to see and the blow hole was awesome.  We would like to go back at low time and swim in the tide pools (we didn't bring our swim suits that day).

From the months of November-March, humpback whales can be seen along this hike migrating in the Hawaiian waters.  Unfortunately, we did not see any the day we hiked, but Kathryn did while she was here visiting.

Overall, very family-friendly hike and very accessible to many people.  Nice views, quick and easily.