As we continued to drive east on Hwy 72, Makapuu Head,standing at 647 feet elevation, defines the most eastern tip of Oahu. There is a gate, and an abandoned road called Ka iwi ,that is the gateway to an easy and beautiful hike.
The hike is one and half mile each way, and gains 520 feet elevation at a very reasonable pace. It is paved all way, and we noticed some people with strollers on the trail. It seems to be popular(although not as popular as Diamond Head), with locals and visitors alike.
The hike is known as the Makapuu Lighthouse Hike, because at the end of the trail, one is rewarded with a view of the very beautiful and picturesque lighthouse.
Once at the top, a lookout presents a very dreamy view of Manana(Rabbit Island) and Kaohikaipu islands,and the coast beyond. It is one of those WOW views that will be engraved in my memory for a long time.
Manana island is a tuff cone made from steam of explosion. Locals refer to it as Rabbit Island, because a local resident used to raise rabbits there in the 1880s. Bill insists that the island has a rabbit shape.
Along the paved trail, there is a spot that has a plaque with whale information. During whale season, whales can be spotted from the trail. I can only imagine how magical that would be! Unfortunately, even though whale watch trips on Maui are still going, we haven't seen any whales the last couple weeks, I am thinking they are heading to Alaska already.
That plaque also marks couple interesting sites: clear pools for swimming and the Dragon Nostrils.
It is a 400 feet hike down the lava to the very inviting pools. There is a lava bench that is only partially visible in spots. We took the faint trail down the mountain to the lava bench, and were able to see a cluster of blowholes, although not in full action, they were still magnificent. These blowholes are called dragon nostrils, and when the tide is right, could be very powerful and violent. I'd love to see that one day. We were able to only see mist shooting out of some of the holes. Still gorgeous, nonetheless.
With this beautiful hike, we concluded our Saturday sightseeing on Oahu. We had the resurrection service Saturday night, and a tour of Oahu's north shore to look forward to on Sunday.
Comments (12)
Hi Candi, thank you for another wonderful post. Your photos are beautiful. That looks like a really awesome hike and the views are spectacular. I had not heard of the dragonnostril blowholes before. Even with the mist, that must have been very cool to see. As for the rabbit island that was interesting to learn how it was named that. I didn't know that before. And I can see how it kind of looks like a rabbit.
Thanks for sharing more of your great experiences on your weekend trip to Oahu.
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | April 28, 2009 6:37 AM
Posted on April 28, 2009 06:37
The photos are beautiful, Candi!
Do you feel like you are living in Paradise?
Posted by nancyhol | April 28, 2009 10:21 AM
Posted on April 28, 2009 10:21
Kathy, I am glad you liked my post. And yes, the dragon nostrils were very interesting to see even with just the mist.
Nancy, yes, I do feel like Maui is a paradise, and Oahu too, I guess all the Hawaiian islands are:)
Posted by candi | April 28, 2009 11:50 AM
Posted on April 28, 2009 11:50
I can kind of see the rabbit shape but it also reminds me of a whale a bit. What gorgeous views. Looks like a wonderful hike!
Posted by Annie | April 28, 2009 2:21 PM
Posted on April 28, 2009 14:21
Gorgeous photos, in particular the first one with the deep blue water against the red top of the lighthouse. Sounds like another lovely hike.
Posted by María I. | April 29, 2009 11:44 AM
Posted on April 29, 2009 11:44
Annie, I can almost see a pig shape with flat ears. LOL. I guess it is all wild imagination.
Maria, I love that photo too. It actually turned out just like that, no editing or anything.
Posted by candi | April 29, 2009 12:06 PM
Posted on April 29, 2009 12:06
Funny, I have never seen the rabbit shape. I am going to have to study it more closely next time I am there. That hike looks cool. I am also going to have to check it out. Great photos! My favorite is also your first photo of the lighthouse. Was the parking bad for the hike?
Posted by girasoli | April 30, 2009 11:16 PM
Posted on April 30, 2009 23:16
girasoli, I had hard time with the rabbit shape too, but Bill insists.
The parking was not bad at all. We were there around one or two pm maybe, and there were cars there, but there was still plenty open spaces.I think you will like it.
Posted by candi | May 1, 2009 12:19 AM
Posted on May 1, 2009 00:19
Makes me wish we were spending more time on Oahu.
Posted by Kim | May 2, 2009 10:05 AM
Posted on May 2, 2009 10:05
How much time should e alot for this hike?
Posted by Dkhi | March 8, 2010 2:16 PM
Posted on March 8, 2010 14:16
Dkhi,
We did the hike in about two hours, but we veered off a bit and spent some time photographing and gazing at the beautiful Pacific wonders.
Posted by Candi | March 8, 2010 9:28 PM
Posted on March 8, 2010 21:28
I came across your website, i think your blog is interesting, keep us posting.
Posted by tabletki na pryszcze | March 26, 2010 8:03 PM
Posted on March 26, 2010 20:03