It’s still Day 1 in Hawaii and we’re hiking the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail in Oahu. Earlier today we also snorkeled Hanauma Bay with our friends Jack and Lisa, their kids, and our daughter. But we dropped them off, and it’s just the 2 of us. Check out the amazing views on the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail and more!
Make sure to check back regularly for all of our adventures in Hawaii at: Destination – Hawaii.
Planning the Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail
The Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail is a 2 mile trail to an overlook and back. It is paved the whole way though there is little shade and about 500 feet of elevation. At the overlook, there are steps to the lookouts. Note the lighthouse is closed to the public. This trail and parking are free. For more information, see Division of State Parks | Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail.
Originally we planned to do this hike after spending time at Hanauma Bay just 10 minutes away. But after a long day, we dropped Jack and Lisa and the kids back off at Becky’s Aunt’s house. Luckily, we still have time and it’s a short drive back. On the way, we will make a quick stop at the Hālona Blowhole before reaching the trail parking lot. And after the trail, we will drive to the next turn up the road to the Makapu’u Lookout for more views. We don’t need to bring a lot with us, just good shoes, water, hat and sunscreen. So our plan is the Hālona Blowhole, Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail and then the Makapu’u Lookout.
Hālona Blowhole
The 1st pullout after Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is the Lanai Lookout. We make the mistake of stopping here thinking it was the Hālona Blowhole Lookout. And we see some nice ocean views, but no blowhole. But, we see the actual parking lot for the blowhole up the road another 0.7 miles and turn in.
The Hālona Blowhole is actually a lava tube. And when the waves crash into the tube, it causes water to shoot out like a geyser. There is plenty of parking here and ample viewing space. It’s worth a quick stop on the way to Makapu’u Point.
Start of the Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail
2.5 miles later, we arrive at the trail parking lot around 5:00PM. Cars are parked along both sides of the road, but I continue into the actual parking lot. There’s only about a dozen paved spots, but there are many cars parked in the gravel. And it’s here we’re lucky to see someone leaving and get their spot. So, it’s only a short walk to the trailhead.
Past the signs, the trail starts on the paved walkway with a slight incline. Around the 1st bend is a spur trail called the Kaiwi Shoreline Trail. It leaves the pavement for a dirt and rocky trail to the coast. It looks interesting, but we continue up the western ridge where it quickly starts ascending more. The right side edge of the trail now drops off. So we stay closer to the middle.
The views are already amazing and we haven’t gotten to the top yet. Looking toward the shoreline is beautiful, and even looking back are stunning views of where we started.
We can see the parking lot where we started and the road beyond. We can even see the ocean and islands in the distance. It takes us about 15 minutes to get to our 1st lookout. Here it overlooks the Pacific Ocean in front of us and the shoreline below.
A little further is the 2nd lookout overlooking the sea. From here you can’t see behind us, and past the trail it bends to head north on the eastern ridge.
The Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Overlooks
After we start on the eastern side, we continue up though it levels out some. And when we get to the 3rd lookout, we can see the ocean and our 1st glimpse of the lighthouse.
There are some informative signs about the lighthouse and the families that lived up here. In 1974, the light was automated and no longer required a lightkeeper. So, the families left and their houses were demolished years later. We continue walking and a few minutes later, we see the lookouts at top.
It’s taken us about 45 minutes to get to the steps, and there are 2 options. We can go left to a lookout or go up to the top to the lighthouse overlook. Since there are people at the 1st lookout and no one up top, we go to see the lighthouse.
At the far side of the lookout, you are literally overlooking the lighthouse below on Makapu’u Point. And beyond all you can see is the open sea. It is pretty windy up here too, so hold on to your hats.
Zooming up-close we can see the lighthouse is fenced off. It is still in control of the U.S. Coast Guard and off-limits. Though we see people below us trying to get to it. Interestingly, it has the largest lens of any lighthouse in the United States and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
More views from Makapu‘u Point
On the other side of the overlook, we can see Makapu’u Beach. And just past it is Sea Life Park Hawaii, where scenes from the movie 50 First Dates were filmed. We also can see down the coast as the shoreline extends out.
We can also see 2 islands offshore. The small one in front is Kāohika’ipu Island and the larger one behind is Mānana Island. Also called Rabbit Island, Mānana Island once had a rabbit colony introduced on the remote island.
Because they were destroying the ecosystem for the native seabirds, there are no longer rabbits on Mānana Island. Now both islands are bird sanctuaries, and the 1st lookout we passed actually has a better view of these 2 islands.
Checking out the Oil House
From the top, there is a narrow paved path leading down to the actual trail to get to the lighthouse. And there is a small building I want to check-out. I saw this path connects back to the main trail, so I head down the path. And Becky starts back on the main trail where we’ll meet back up.
This path connects to a dirt path where it comes to a “T”. To the left is a fence and a sign on the gate that says “Trail closed no trespassing”. But I can hear people on the other side, probably the ones we saw by the lighthouse earlier. So I turn right to check-out the building.
The building has been sealed by the Coast Guard and not much to see now. Though there is a sign on it that explains how the oil house was used to run the lighthouse. Reading the informative sign may be worth this quick diversion.
From the oil house I can still see the lookout up top. And past it I can see where it leads back to the main trail. It’s only a 5 minute side-trail before I meet up with Becky waiting for me.
Returning on the Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail
Back on the main trail, we head back down the paved walkway. It is much easier, and now after 6:00PM, we are about an hour before sunset.
As we get around the corner to return back on the western ridge, the shoreline is aglow from the lower Sun. And when we continue down we see the Sun lighting up the mountains beyond.
This is a great time to be on the trail, and we’ve passed many others along the way. But the 8-foot wide path has plenty of space for the dog-walkers and others enjoying the trail.
It only takes us about 15 minutes before we can see the parking lot where we started. And even with about 15 minutes at the top, we finish the trail in about an hour and 20 minutes. Though Becky tracked the distance on a phone app, because she swears the signs lie. And it was a little longer than 2 miles.
The Makapu‘u Lookout
After getting back in our car, we exit the parking lot and turn right. And about a quarter mile later, we see the turn for the Makapu’u Lookout Parking Lot. So, we turn in and find plenty of parking close to the lookout.
It’s a short walk with some stairs to the viewpoint. And from here, the view is similar to the 1st lookout at the top. Though we can’t see the lighthouse from here, we get a closer view of the 2 islands offshore.
And looking back we can get a better view of Makapu’u Beach and beyond. And with the Sun setting behind the ridge, it’s a perfect ending exploring Makapu’u Point.
Summary of the Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail
We spent about 2 hours exploring Makapu’u Point and the Southeastern part of Oahu. We first stopped at Lanai Lookout before finding Hālona Blowhole. If you have time, seeing the blowhole is worth a quick stop. But the highlight was the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail. Though there was some up and down, the trail was fairly easy with amazing views all the way. And you can easily do this hike in less than 1.5 hours. Afterwards, we stopped at the Makapu’u Lookout to get closer views of the beach and islands offshore. Overall this area of Oahu and the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail offer amazing views and well worth the time.
Make sure to check back regularly for all of our adventures in Hawaii at: Destination – Hawaii.