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Makapuu Lighthouse Trail, Honolulu

4.7
#4 of 8 in Trails in Honolulu
Historic Walking Area Hiking Trail
Makapuu Lighthouse Trail will take you over the hills and by the sea, from a stunning beach to a volcanic point. According to legend, Makapu’u was a supernatural being, with eight bright eyes. Today, instead of a giant at the point, you'll find a lighthouse named after her, with a red roof and what's thought to be the biggest lighthouse lens in the United States, standing 3.5 m (12 ft) tall. Bring water, a hat, and binoculars--if you’re lucky, you’ll see whales in addition to seabirds. Be mindful of the prickly cacti along the way. Plan your visit to Makapuu Lighthouse Trail and a wealth of other attractions, well-known and undiscovered, using our Honolulu itinerary maker.
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Reviews
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
1,842 reviews
  • Well paved path makes for easy hiking but it is definitely uphill. I'm not in the best shape and I did manage it. There are resting spots along the way with beautiful views of the ocean. Be sure to br...  more »
  • We were on our way to Diamond Head and it was full so we continued up the road 10 miles to Makapu'u lighthouse trail. It was 88 degrees. The walk up was tough. We are in our 60's so it took a little l...  more »
  • So there are two alternatives for this trail - easy or difficult. I'm sure most people choose the easy (paved) path but we were feeling froggy and did the difficult one. We parked in the Makapuu overl...  more »
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