Oahu, Hawaii - 8/9/10 -8/13/10

Day 1

Checking in hotel

China town

Dinner-Doraku

Day 2

Coffee/Early walk

Hiking-Diamond head

Dole Plantation

Dinner at JJ Bistro

Day 3

Quick tour -North shore

Bishop Museum

Royal Hawaiian

Dinner at Roy's

Day 4

Breakfast

The Aquarium

Paddle surfing

Dinner at Tokkuri-Tei

Hiking to Diamond head -7:00AM

Diamond Head was originally named Laeahi by the ancient Hawaiians. The name meant "brow of the tuna" and looking at the silhouette of the crater from Waikiki, you can see the resemblance. The current name, Diamond head, was given to the crater by British sailors in the 1800's, when they first saw the crater at a great distance, the calcite crystals in the lava rock appeared to glimmer in the sunlight. The sailors mistakenly thought there must be diamonds in the soil.  Diamond Head is a crater that has been extinct for 150,000 years. The crater is 3,520 feet in diameter with a 760-foot summit. 

Diamond Head Trail is 1 ¾ miles to the rim and takes about 1 ½ hours.  We were told to go early in the day to avoid the heat!  There is NO shade and to bring water and a flashlight for the tunnel.  There are two sets of stairs, one with 99 steps and the other, 76 steps. There is also a 225-foot unlit tunnel. The hike is classified as easy to moderate in exertion but is certainly worth the breathtaking, unparalleled view of the entire west side of the island, from Waikiki to Koki Head .

Now that we know what to expect let's start the hike! 

The entrance of the park

 

Diamond head view from the park.

Empty bottles water in the recycle bin...

Everyone was told to bring water.... and they did!

Here we are starting up our hike.  I did not bring running shoes so I am wearing flip-flops, hopefully I'll make it up there okay without proper footwear.

  This is the beginning so the road is nicely paved.

 

We are going up...the paved road gave way to narrow road carved from the mountain. 

 

Reaching the first look out point with a rest stop to view the ocean.

 

 

We are higher from the ground.  The view is okay but not that great yet!

 

View from the 1st look out!

 

Resting a bit to enjoy the view from the look out point and rest station. 

 

After a lookout point and  rest stop, the trail takes a steep upward ascent through a series of stairs. There are 76 steps up!  No problem, I can make it without a sweat! 

Okay, maybe a few drops of sweat! 

After the 99 steps up we are entering a 225-foot unlit tunnel.  We did not bring a flash light but I don't think it was absolutely necessary! It is dark but you can see shape and form and people walking in front of you.

Second rest station for people to take pictures.

Hoa is taking a break! 

Okay so here is the second set of stairs: 99 steps up.

I climbed up without stopping once thanks to Kevin's advice.

Here we are mid way up!  Diamond head is pretty dry up this time of the year.  Diamond head does not get a lot rain year round and it shows how dry the trees, plants, etc.. are. 

 

Gorgeous view of the coast line!

Makapu'u Lighthouse is one of Hawaii's most familiar landmarks commanding a spectacular view The lighthouse was built in 1909 and automated in 1974. A 2-mile paved trail leads to the lighthouse and a fantastic view of the entire coastline. the Lighthouse is an excellent spot to watch Humpback whales as they travel the channel between December and April.

Kevin and I checking out the view from the highest point of the hike.

There is a World War II bunker that you have to climb out before reaching this point but we did not take a picture because it is very narrow and there are so many people trying to get out of the bunker.

 

The view was just incredible!  This is some of the finest panoramic views of Oahu

 

View of the crater!

Next.. Dole Plantation

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