One of my favorite places to hike on Oahu is a place called Makapuu which is located on the furthermost Eastern side of the Island just past Sandy Beach. The hike is a very easy hike that leads up a nice paved path to the Makapuu Lighthouse about 645 feet above the sea. While hiking up the path you will be blessed with remarkable views of the amazing coastline, Koko Crater, Dragons Breath Blowhole and on clear days the island of Molokai is visible.
A great view of Rabbit Island in the distance
View of the Makapuu Lighthouse
If you want to really experience something spectacular about halfway up to the lighthouse there is a trail that leads down to the Makapuu Tidal Pools and the Dragons Breath Blowhole. The trail starts right next to the Humpback Whale Sanctuary sign where you will be able to see the turquoise colored tidal pools from on top of the cliff. Make sure to bring your snorkel gear because these crystal clear tidal pools are filled with many varieties of tropical fish. Once you make it down onto the lava rock you will start to hear and feel the power of air pressure roaring up from underneath the rock floor as the ocean pushes air and salt water into the lava tubes. The roaring of the blowhole becomes almost deafening as the air pressure builds until the blowholes erupts the trapped ocean water into the air. I am so glad we had noticed the trail leading down to the tidal pools and took the chance to hike down the steep slippery switch back trail to experience this remarkable surprise. The video below shows the Dragons Breath Blowhole and how dangerous this place can really be.
GoPro Video: Dragons Breath Blow and Tidal Pools
Video of the Dragons Breath Blow Hole
Chillin in the Tidal pool
View from Makappu
A great place to whale watch in the winter months
This Whale Sanctuary Sign marks the trail that leads down the cliff to the Dragons Breath Blowholes. It is a steep slippery switchback trail so make sure to use some caution.
Hawaiian Painter painting a nice ocean scene
GoPro Video: Makapuu Hike
This video shows the hike up to the Makapuu Lighthouse and the start of the switch back trail that leads to the Dragons Breath Blowhole and Tidal Pools located at the bottom of the cliff.
Makapuu Beach Park
Chillin on Sashimi Rock
These Black Lava Rocks are extremely dense and sharp so use caution while Bodyboarding or Surfing. Just touching the rock on the beach made me never want to crash into one these bad boys. I am sure these sharp lava rocks have the capability to turn a friendly Bodyboarder into a nice Makapuu Sushi Roll.
Makapuu Beach Park
I really enjoyed Bodyboarding the waves at Makapuu Beach Park. The contrast of turquoise blue water looked so cool against the black lava rocks and white sand. This gave the park a unique look so different from all the other beaches in Hawaii. Being from the East Coast I really appreciated the the fact that Hawaii has so many different beaches and each one has its own unique special quality.
GoPro Shot of Makapuu Beach Park
Makapuu
Makapuu Lighthouse
Hawaiian Sacred Ground
Bodyboarding Chica at Makapuu Beach Park
Makapuu Beach Park
Enjoying Makapuu
Makapuu is a must see for people traveling to Oahu it really has it's unique beauty and there is lots to see and do here.
Video of myself Bodyboarding Makpuu Shore Break and loosing my GoPro and then finding the GoPro still Recording.
The Kalalau Trail is the hikers ultimate hike, located along the Na Pali Coastline on the North Shore of Kauai. The trail traverses lush valleys, rugged towering cliffs rising up from the sea, beautiful waterfalls and plenty of Guava and Mango to quench your thirst on while hiking.
Hiking the Kalalau Trail is the closest one can get to hiking through Jurassic Park minus the dinosaurs. The hike is approximately 11 miles stretching from Ke'e Beach to Kalalau Beach. The first section stretches 2 miles to Hanakapi'ai beach. After reaching the beach you can take a 2 mile trail that leads back to the refreshing Hanakapi'ia waterfall or continue the rest of the way to the Kalalau Valley. If you decide to continue to Kalalau Valley you will need to get a permit so make sure to purchase one in advance before you arrive. The following link provides a brochure with lots of important information about the Kalalau. hsp_kalalau_trail_brochure_20121.pdf
Hiking the Kalalau Trail
Hiking the Kalalau Trail
Guava Trees along the trail
You can find fresh Guava along the way to quench your thirst
GoPro Video: Hanakapi'ai Waterfall
Video of Hanakapi'ai Waterfall 4 miles down the Kalalau Trail
Hanakapi'ai Waterfall 4 mile hike
Chillin next to the Waterfall
Enjoying the refreshing waterfall after long hike
Crossing the river to Hanakapi'ai Beach
Hanakapi'ai beach Tidal Wave Warning
Finally made it to Hanakapi'ai beach
Hiking back to KE'E Beach
Fresh Coconuts waiting at the end of the long hike
Enjoying a well deserved Coconut
Video hiking the Kalalau down to Hanakapi'ai Beach
Hanakapi'ai Beach
Amazing Vista Na Pali Coast
Kauai North Shore
River Crossing
Hiking the Kalalau trail truly is an amazing journey into paradise. The Na Pali Coast on North Shore of Kauai is the jewel of Hawaii and Kauai is the oldest and most lush of the Hawaiian islands. Hopefully I will return one day to complete the full hike to the Kalalau valley.
