Hiking Diamond Head Crater
January 23, 2007
Aloha,
My name in Hawaiian is Keoki and I was born and raised in Honolulu on the island of Oahu. Honolulu is a dynamic as well as unique city, rich with cultures and much to explore in the way of attractions for visitors and locals alike.
One of the most popular natural attractions in the city is the hike up Diamond Head crater. I used to hike up the trail some years ago and I still remember that it was a moderately challenging hike.
But the best reward was at the top of the crater. Just before the top of the crater, were 99 steps that lead up to a spiral staircase which then lead into a pill box left from World War II.
Once out of the pill box, the view from the area atop the crater was spectacular. I always made sure to take a flashlight because the area where the spiral staircase was is dark.
Getting back to the view from the top, it's panoramic and you can see the entire horizon looking east towards Hawaii Kai and west towards the Waianae Range. On a clear, cloudless day with no wind, you can even see the reefs of Diamond Head Beach below.
The cool thing about this hike is that the crater is surrounded by dense residential areas as well as a major hotel - the Kahala Mandarin Oriental. The scenic hike is quite unique because of its location, in a densely populated section of Honolulu.
The hike back down is fun too, as you will pass many people, depending on the time of the day. Try to get there earlier in the morning, because it's one of Honolulu's major attractions.
Whenever I have a challenging week I think about the Diamond Head hike and the truly unforgettable view from the top of the crater.
Mahalo,
Keoki
