Makapu'u Point - Honolulu, Hawaii - Oahu's Eastern Tip Features a Lighthouse

Makapu'u Point is the easternmost point on the island of Oahu, located at its southeastern corner. It is marked by a much-photographed lighthouse and can be reached via a short hike along a paved trail.

Hawaiian legends tell of a supernatural being that arrived on Oahu from Tahiti and made this rocky prominence her home. Her name was Makapu'u, which means "bulging eye,'' a reference to the eight bright eyes appearing on her face.

On October 1, 1909, a lighthouse began operation here, adding another bright, budging eye to the point, with the largest lighthouse lens in any United States territory. Although off limits to civilians and locked behind three security gates, the Makapu'u Lighthouse still serves as a tourist attraction as well as a functional landmark. It is owned by the U.S. Coast Guard and has been outfitted for unmanned, automated operation since 1974.

The mile-long hike to Makapu'u Point is entirely uphill and quite steep in places. The path is actually the lighthouse service road, and is closed to all but foot traffic. Cars must be parked along the street near the trailhead.

A short way up the paved path, a grassy trail leads down toward a rock formation called "Pele's Chair.'' This branch trail is all that remains of the "Kings Highway,'' an ancient path that once circled the entire island of Oahu. This portion of it terminates at a lookout near sea level.

Further up the main route, another unpaved path descends to a rocky peninsula where large tide pools can be seen close up. A small blow hole can be seen shooting up sea spray like a whale spouting water into the air.

Most visitors bypass the branch trails and continue straight to the top of the 647-foot bluff. Here, they are treated to a close-up view of the lighthouse and a spectacular panorama of the ocean, coastal mountains, the Windward islands, and the Mokapu Peninsula jutting out into the Pacific.

Other points of interest that can be viewed from here are Mt. Olomana rising like a church spire, volcanic Koko Head Crater, and the long pier of the Makai Undersea Test Range research facility. Offshore are picturesque Manana Island (Rabbit Island) and smaller Kaohikaipu Island just below, as well as the island of Molokai, 25 miles in the distance.

From December through April, great Humpback whales travel the Molokai Channel (aka Kaiwi Channel), making Makapu'u Point an excellent venue for whale watching. High-power stationary binoculars are available here. Dolphin and sea turtles can often be seen from this vantage point, too, as can hang-gliders launched further down the coast.

The two-mile round-trip hike to Makapu'u Point has been graded as easy-to-moderate and takes from 45 minutes to an hour each way. Visitors are advised to start before noon to avoid the heat, bring bottled water and wear sunscreen. A hat may come in handy, too, although it should fit snuggly as winds can be quite gusty at the top.

There are no restrooms along the trail or at the lookout point; neither are there any shaded areas. The lava rock from which the precipice is formed can be slippery, even when dry, so hikers are cautioned to remain on the trails.

One other good tip is to visit Makapu'u Point before dawn to watch the sun rise over the Pacific, and be sure to bring a camera to capture the event. From Honolulu, take the H1 east till it becomes Highway 72. The trailhead is well marked, half a mile past the Hawaii Kai Golf Course.