The Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club Trail Report
MAKAPUU POINT
** NOTE **
Trails are listed below solely as a guide and do not imply right to
public access
or safe hiking condition. HTMC accepts no responsibility for accuracy
of the data listed below.
Length: - 2.5 miles round trip, approx 2 hours
Hike difficulty: - easy
Type of hike: - hillside
Locale: - Makapuu
Access: Public
Hazards:High Waves
Directions to trailhead:
Take Kalanianaole Hwy either direction toward Mapaku'u/Rabbit Island
Lookout above Makapu'u Beach. Park at the
parking lot on tthe ocean side of the road just east of the
lookout.
Hike directions: The start of the trail is obvious from
the
parking lot, and follows the paved road visible from the parking lot.
Farther up the road turns to gravel.
Hike description: This is the easternmost point of
the
island, as opposed to Kaena Point, which is the westernmost. The ocean
views are spectacular, and during the winter months from
January
through March, humpback whales are often seen breaching, spouting, and
sporting offshore. The route ends at a number of lookout points with
guardrails, which provide views of the ocean vista, and the lighthouse
below.
To return, follow the same route used to come in. The round-trip is about 2.5 miles and 2 hours.
Be sure to bring sunscreen and plenty of
water. It can be very hot.
A more difficult venture is a rocky scramble down to the shelf at sea level below. Caution: be aware of high waves and uneven, slippery footing.
Steve Brown - revised 4/2008