Diamond Head hike

Diamond Head is an extinct volcanic crater located in Honolulu, Hawaii on the island of Oahu. It is located a short distance from Waikiki. A hike up the crater provides good exercise and spectacular 360-degree views of the island.

There are two sets of stairs, one with 99 steps and the other, 76 steps. There is also a 225-foot unlit tunnel. The hike is classified as easy to moderate in exertion but is certainly worth the breathtaking, unparalleled view of the entire west side of the island, from Waikiki to Koko Head.

Useful Information:

• Diamond Head Trail is 1 ¾ miles to the rim and takes about 1 ½ hours
• There is NO shade schedule an early hike
• Bring water and a flashlight (for the tunnel)
• Bathrooms available at the trailhead

Kahala tunnel to access the crater, entrance and parking lot.

Heading towards the trail

Inside the crater

A cool recycling bin/cage

Sunset Beach - North Shore

One of the longest sand beaches in Oahu running two miles in length and 200-300 feet wide. This beach is located right next to 'Ehukai, or "Reddish Tinged Water", the home of the famous Bonzai Pipeline. In the Summer when the ocean is calm, this beach has crystal clear water and beautiful white sand. The area is great for swimming and snorkeling. There is also wonderful tide pools great for collecting shells and observing the wonders of nature. During the Winter months this beach is one of the best for surfing with waves often between fifteen and twenty feet high making it perfect for yearly international surfing competitions.

Kualoa Beach Park

Never crowded, this is the perfect site to just enjoy a relaxing day at the beach. The water is calm and warm. Located in a stunningly beautiful area of Oahu's Windward coast with the Kualoa Mountains in the background. This area was considered sacred by the ancient Hawaiians as whalebones used to wash up on the beach. The bones were then made into valuable tools and jewelry.

Great For

Swimming, picnics, camping, sunbathing, beach-combing.

Kualoa Mountains- where Jurassic Park, 50 First Dates and Lost were filmed

Kualoa Mountains- where Jurassic Park, 50 First Dates and Lost were filmed

Mokoli'i-Chinaman' hat

Kualoa Mountains- where Jurassic Park, 50 First Dates and Lost were filmed

Koko Head Hike

Location: 800 Kalanianaole Hwy Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96825
Distance: 0.7 miles
Elevation: 1208 ft
Number of times hiked: 2

Koko Crater is on the east side of Oahu in the Hawaii Kai neighborhood. The hike takes your from the Koko Head District Park at the bottom of Koko Crater to it's summit. The trail isn't very long, about 1K (1100 yards) but the challenge is the elevation rise of 1,200 feet. The top of Koko Crater provides an awesome 360deg view of eastern Oahu and the Pacific which makes the hike worth the effort. There is a rail track going up the entire trail and hikers walk on the rail cross ties. There is also a 30 foot rail bridge that can be tricky for some. Koko Crater is often mistaken for Koko Head which is actually at another location close to the Hanauma Bay and Portlock area of Hawaii Kai and tops out at 640 feet. Parking at the name of the park called Koko "HEAD"
District Park compounds this confusion.

A view from Kalanianaole Hwy

Along the paved road that leads to the stairway to hell.

At the bottom.
A view from 200th step.

The dreaded bridge - Bridge-like portion of the Koko Head Trail Hike.

A view from the top of the stairs

Hikers on top of the used to be a heliport.

A view of the Hanauma Bay

A view of the botanical garden inside the crater.

A view of Hawaii Kai

Going back down -it was easier than coming up but way scarier.

Going through the bridge

And we are done--my daughter was ecstatic that it was finally over.

Don't let the height of the stairs scare you. Anybody can do it, we saw a 4 year old did it, just take your time! The first time I hiked Koko Head, I probably stopped more than 10 times and I enjoyed it. I was tired and in pain but that didn't stop me from doing it again 2 weeks after with my cousin.

Rest and sit down when you are tired and enjoy the view. Always give way to the hikers that are coming down, this will also give you another reason to stop and rest :). Don't forget to bring water and make sure you alternate legs when coming down other wise you will have one leg that is more painful than the other one the next day.