Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail

Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail runs along Kalanianaole Highway (Highway 72) near Waimanalo on the southeastern tip of Oahu, Hawaii. The paved path climbs about 2 miles round trip along a coastal ridge to a lookout above the Makapuu Point Lighthouse, an automated light built in 1909. The lighthouse itself is not open to the public, but it is clearly visible from the viewpoint, perched on the cliffs below. The route is exposed, with no shade, and it offers broad views of the rugged coastline, the turquoise Pacific, Rabbit Island and Kaohikaipu Island, and the windward beaches near Waimanalo. Between December and April, humpback whales can often be seen offshore from the trail, and binoculars improve the experience. Tide pools and the Makapuu Beach area lie nearby, along with the blowhole at Halona on the same highway, so the stop combines well with a scenic drive. A visit takes about one and a half to two hours. Sunrise and late afternoon are best, when light is softer and temperatures are lower, and midday sun is intense. The best photo angles are from the final switchback looking back along the cliffs and from the lookout toward the lighthouse. Crowds are heaviest on weekends and mid-mornings, when the lot fills early. Entry is free. Visitors should bring water, sunscreen and a hat, and keep valuables out of parked cars, since break-ins occur in the lot. Access is only by car or rideshare.