Kaaawa, Hawaii

NOTE: as of April 2021, this trail is closed indefinitely. Please do not attempt to hike on closed trails.  This trail is not for the faint of heart or those easily scared of heights. The crouching lion trail is a 4 mile loop with an elevation gain of 2,000 feet. The elevation gains and losses a...

Kahana Bay is the last public Ahupua’a on Oahu. The Ahupua’a is the traditional Hawaiian land division system. Each Ahupua’a contains a cross section of the island so that each slice of land meets the needs of the inhabitants by containing all resource zones necessary for subsistence. Typically, ...

Start at Kahana Bay in Ahupua'a O Kahana State Park on Oahu's windward coast, between the towns of Kaneohe and Laie. Paddle for as long as you'd like! The current gets stronger further upstream.

Secret Island is on the East side of Oahu.  It's located near the town of Kailua.  It's a great place to have a beach day and avoid the crowds of Waikiki.  The water is super calm and the background makes you feel like you are in a Jurassic park movie, which filmed just up the road.  You can get ...

Looking for a good photo opportunity while on Oahu? Mokoli‘i is one of the best you can find. Not only is it a scenic and unique view, but you can also have some fun with perspective. Located only 20 miles from Honolulu, hop on H1 W for about 2 miles before turning onto HI-63 N for 7 miles. Then...

Mokoli‘i is an island located off the coast of Kualoa Regional Park. You can swim, kayak, or SUP to the island. When it’s low tide, you’re actually able to walk out there, but be mindful of the tides, because the current picks up on higher tides, which makes the route back more difficult. If you ...

Kaneohe Bay is the remnant of a massive volcanic caldera. The collapse of the eastern side of the Ko’olau volcano created this protected bay surrounded by Hawaii's only barrier reef and the epic cliff sides that form the Ko’olau Mountain Range. If you have the chance to kayak out to these coral r...

There's no better way to spend a relaxing day in Hawaii than sitting out on the Kaneohe Bay Sandbar, surrounded by great views of the Koolau Range and Oahu coastline.Located in northeast Oahu, the Kaneohe Sandbar is a fun place to spend your day snorkeling, playing water games, and enjoying food ...

Access: There are two options for accessing the trailhead:  (1) Get a permit from the Division of Forestry and Wildlife Oahu so you can drive the 6-mile dirt road to the true trailhead. The permit provides you car access through the locked gate and is only available on weekends and holidays. You'...

Resting at the foot of the Ko'olau Mountains, the Byodo-In Temple was built to commemorate the first Japanese immigrants that came to Hawaii. This beautiful Buddhist temple is a smaller-scale replica of an over 950 year old Buddhist temple in Uji, Japan.The temple grounds host wildlife such as hu...

Want to visit the beautiful North Shore but on a tight budget? Camping is the trick. On my last two trips to Oahu this has been our primary base camp for our adventures. The campground sits only a 5 minute drive east of Turtle Bay resort, right next to the town of Laie. This means is only 10-20 m...

This is a fun hike in central Oahu that leads to multiple water falls! Bring some shoes that you don't care about because the trail is muddy and you will definitely get dirty. There is also a cliff diving spot at one of the falls. This hike is just one trail located in the Ewa Forest Preserve. Th...

Stand Up Paddleboards can be rented in the nearby town of Kailua at various watersports shops. Kayaks can also be rented as another option. The bay can be reached by public access points in neighborhoods at Kaneohe Bay (there are 3 on Mikiola Drive) or at Kaneohe Beach Park.Rental Options: Kail...

Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden is on my list of the top ten most beautiful nature places you can drive to. Hoʻomaluhia means "to make a place of peace and tranquility."  This breathtaking gem was built in 1982 by the US Army Corps of Engineering to prevent flooding.  There’s a lot to do here, you...

The ‘back way’ to the ever popular and still somewhat illegal Haiku Stairs, the Moanalua Middle Ridge hike brings plenty of beauty and even more challenges than the path down the Haiku Stairs. To get to the trailhead, park outside the Moanalua Valley Park and the trail begins just after the green...

Likeke Falls Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii.