Maunawili, Hawaii

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 ...

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...

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 ...

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. T...

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...

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.

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, ...

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...

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...

The Ko Olina Beach Park Trail near Kapolei on Oahu is a great walking path for both tourists and locals looking for a leisurely and scenic coastal walk or run. The trail is beginner-friendly, making it accessible for families and strollers. The well-maintained path, which stretches along the la...

Secret Beach is situated in the Ko Olina resort area in the town of Kapolei on the island of Oahu. The beach is accessed via a short path from the small public parking area between Paradise Cove Beach to the north and Sacred Beach to the south. Just off the beach, there is a small channel that i...

The beach might not be very big but fortunately the Ocean has plenty of space. This is an awesome snorkeling spot. You can see tons of fish. The electric company right across the street has a large pipe that runs into the ocean and releases a heavy amount of hot water. This causes many fish to co...

Coming from Honolulu you'll take the H1 West to the 93 West and just stay on that the whole way until you see the turnoff on your left. From the North Shore, it's a little more complicated, but take the 83 West to the 99 South, jump on the H2 South, then the H1 West to the 93 West (clicking on th...

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...

The hike to the Waimea Falls offers both the natural beauty of a tropical rainforest, as well as the unique, in situ opportunity to learn about local history. Although this hike can be crowded, it is definitely worthwhile to see and swim in this amazing Hawaiian waterfall. The approximately mile...

If you're looking to get away from the summer crowds of Waikiki, you should consider heading to the North Shore, especially in the summer. Although this season is considered the off-season on this side of the island, it simply means the North Shore transforms into a gentle, family-friendly 7-mile...