Kaaawa, Hawaii

To get there, go to Ala Moana Harbor/Boat parking lot near Hilton Hawaiian Village. Walk along the rock jetty that parallels the boat harbor on the right. Jump off rocks and paddle right towards the deep water boat channel, there's a huge buoy out there. If it is on, you will see a thick sucky le...

Whether you're a paddle boarding enthusiast or it's your first time, this spot is perfect! The waves are nice and calm allowing for a relaxing time. This area is away from the main part of Waikiki so you'll still get the beautiful view of Diamond Head without the large crowd of people. You'll als...

The view from the Kuliouou summit is one of the most rewarding on the island and well worth your time. This diverse hike is somewhere between a beginner and intermediate level and takes 2-4 hours, depending on your pace. The trail is well maintained and very popular on the weekend. Start early to...

Parking is pretty straightforward once you are on Farington Highway coming out of Haleiwa. There's a small dirt lot on the east side of the gate and grass parking to the west. Once you go through the first gate and see the Mokuleia Forest Reserve Access Road sign on your right, you'll know you're...

Mount Kaʻala Trail is a tough out-and-back hike in the Waiʻanae Mountains, up Oʻahu’s highest peak at 4,025 feet. It’s steep, rugged, and often muddy, with rope sections and some scrambling.  The trail climbs through dense forest and exposed ridgelines before reaching a unique cloud forest at th...

You will start your hike at the bottom of the volcano. The cost to get into the park is 5$ per vehicle or 1$ for a walk-in or taxi. The cost of the park is absolutely worth it. On the way up the mountain you will start on a wide paved path that starts out relatively flat but gets steeper on the w...

Kuliʻouʻou Beach Park is located just off of Bay Street in the Hawaii Kai neighborhood of East Honolulu, Hawaii. There is a parking lot with additional street parking nearby. The beach offers a very shallow shelf for quite a ways offshore. This doesn't make for a great place to swim, but is good...

Diamond head has a couple of good breaks close to town if you're looking to get away from the crowds at Waikiki Beach. There are easy trails down to the beach and channels to paddle out in - the paddle is a little long, so mentally prepare yourself. The two main breaks are Cliffs and Lighthouse. ...

Koko Head Botanical Garden is a loop trail offering a hike for the whole family. The trail is wide, well-marked, with minimal elevation gain. Along the loop, the sections are well-marked with information about which regions of the world the vegetation is native to. You can complete the loop clock...

If you're looking to get moving and get your heart rate up or want a place to snap great photos, start with hiking to Makapu’u Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1909 on a 600-ft cliff, which overlooks Makapu’u beach. The hike is more of an uphill walk and can be done in sandals unless you’...

Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess, is said to have sat here just before finishing her volcanic activity to form Oahu.  She left here and moved on to the islands of Molokai and Lanai.   The hike is only about a mile to the beach.  You start at the parking area for the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail.  ...

Alan Davis is what the locals call it, but the official name is the “Ka’Iwi Scenic Shoreline” and it's known to be a good place to do some cliff jumping because of the easy access, clear water, and poles that are already positioned for jumpers in the rocky shoreline. Park in the same lot that ta...

While hiking up the Koko Head trail, don't get too intimidated, there are grandparents and young kids hiking up these tracks. Take a sip of water, muster your mental toughness, and put one foot in front of the other along the rail trail. Once you're moving, there's no way you'll turn back! When y...

If you’re looking to get away from the over-crowded beaches in Waikiki or you’re looking for a consistent bodysurfing spot with waves year-round, look no further. Sandy Beach is on the east side of the island and is exposed to wind swell most of the year. If you’re not a strong swimmer, we strong...

Park at the Halona Blowhole lookout and carefully cross the highway.. Walk west, towards Hawai'i Kai, and in a hundred feet or so you will pass mile marker 15, the trail starts on the rocks just past this marker. Carefully make your way up the rocky hill and onto the ridge, here you will find a t...

When driving along the Kalonianaole Highway, traveling towards east from Hawai'i Kai, keep an eye out for the Hanola Blowhole lookout... Park at the lookout and walk out towards the highway. It is here, next to the entrance, that you will find a trail heading down into the cove. From the road it ...