Let's Go Hiking!
If you're like me, you love to walk and hike. There is no where better to do it than Hawaii and on Oahu one of my favorite hikes is the Makapu'u Lighthouse. The reasons I like it is because it has scenery that is out of this world and it's a well paved trail. I've had three knee surgeries so I'm not ready to try out for the decathlon any time soon. This trail is perfect for the less than super athlete but yet it's a good enough workout that you will burn calories in addition to the best views on the island. I discovered another perk today as I hiked up the trail, whales. Tons of them. I had hiked this trail twice before and saw nothing but today they were out there and close to shore. I saw them all the way up to the top of the hike and all the way back down.
The trail itself is uphill all the way but the beauty of the hike is that it's all downhill on the way back when you're at your most tired. Be warned, there are no facilities there and no shade. I highly suggest going early in the morning or in the evening and bringing plenty of water. There is parking but do not leave anything in your car that might tempt a break in. I would also suggest making sure your back to your car before dark. This is a good trail for families. I saw a lot of kids and dogs enjoying the hike.
The trail starts up with a fantastic view of Sandy's beach and all the way down that coast to the Blow Hole. Once your round the first corner you see a great view of Molokai just in the distance. It's at this point you might spot a few whales. On up the second turn and straight up to the top is all open ocean viewing. They have even placed a free telescope on this stretch so it's good to stop and take a peek. The last time I was at this point in the hike two hanggliders had hauled their equipment up the trial to take off on the cliff. This was really fun to watch and the kids around me loved it.
Just past this point and on up is the lighthouse and top of the hike.
Here at the top are two really fantastic viewing platforms where you see the other side of the island coast. Just below is Sealife Park and on up the coast you can see all the way up past the Marine Core Base in Kaneohe. 
Also at the top is a beautiful view of Rabbit Island. If you have some binoculars you can spot Monk seals sunning themselves on the shores of this little island.
The hike itself probably takes a half hour if you don't stop but because there is so much to see and, in particular, on this trip with the whales there, I spent over three hours on the trail enjoying the scenery and playful antics of the young whales just in the surf below. It's a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon with the family. Check it out.
Mahalo,
Tracey Mahl
