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    Upper Makua Cave - Access Restricted

    4.3 (67 reviews)

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    Marie C.

    This was a really short hike! It is located on the west side of O'ahu, in Waianae. So keep driving all the way on the only road going towards Kaena Point. There is a parking area across the street and it's right before the first Kaena point sign (I believe). Make sure to not leave any bags or valuables (phone, GoPro, wallet, cash) in eyes view. It was pretty steep in the beginning. There is also a lot of gravel so it is slippery. The cave itself isn't deep or that big as it may seem when looking at it from the bottom. There are many ways to get up and down from the cave. Whichever you feel Most comfortable with. On the way down, as long as you're going towards the road then all should be fine. The view is great and even better during sunset. Sunset is beautiful over here. Definitely worth a hike if you're looking for something short and to get a little bit of a sweat!

    Jennifer M.

    A short half a mile hike but don't let the distance fool you. Although this hike is short, it is very steep. The rewards are a great workout and a beautiful view. Parking is available in a dirt lot off Farrington Highway next to a big rock that says Kaneana or next to the Kaena Point State Park sign. The start of the hike begins at a narrow path before the speed limit sign. All I can say is to be careful and best to go with a friend(s). The pathway is steep and narrow, the grass is very tall and overgrown, there are a lot of loose rocks, and there is a portion that levels but you'll be walking at the edge of the mountain. I recommend paying attention to where you're going and holding onto what you can. Best to stay close to the ground. I basically spider-monkeyed my way up. Going down was harder than going up. I scooted down on my butt most of the way. Take your time and listen to your body. Use sunscreen. Bring water. Wear long sleeve and/or long leggings due to all the overgrown grass. Be safe and enjoy the gorgeous view.

    Upper cave
    Ashley F.

    Another beauty the the west! There's so much skepticism for hikes on the West side because of the parking and what not. So my best advice is just to go during a popular time 10am+. I know the sun might be boiling you but if you're really concerned...then make a sacrifice! I've done this hike a couple of times already and looove it. Although it isn't the easiest hike, it sure is short. Around 20 minutes just to head up. The trail does incline up the mountain so this hike may be a little more strenuous for some. It really isn't the worst. Just wear some rigid shoes and take your time! Park at Makua Caves and keep walking down to the 45mph sign and you'll see a opening to the trail on the left.

    Rosalynn E.

    My bestie is my go to person for hike recommendations. I guess she over estimates what I am able to handle. This hike is not for beginners. A good rule is anything with a rope is not for beginners. You can park on the side of the road on Farrington Highway. Find the path thru the long grass and follow up. It's a climb. Beware of loose rocks. When you get to the top of the rope, find the donkey path to the right. You will feel like you're walking on the edge of the mountain. Depending on your speed it's about 1/2 hour to 45 min just up. Awesome photo op. Be careful and have fun.

    Inside the cave
    Lauren S.

    This hike is a short, yet strenuous one. Some yelpers said they took their young children on this hike, I would definitely not recommend that. There's a lot of loose dirt and it's extremely steep going up and even more challenging going down. There's no rope to help you up or down, just trees and dried grass. Make sure to bring water and wear long pants & shoes with grip! There's a lot of ways you can get cut.

    Ryan Y.

    This is a pretty short hike with a beautiful view at the end of Waianae's beach. I did this hike a few times and thought I would write a review to help others be prepared for this hike. Toughness: I'd rate this hike 7/10 for medium hikers and not beginners because although it is short, there are a few sections of the hike that can be slippery and be a bit get difficult due to land corrosion. Parking: you can park on the side in the dirt area right across lower Makua Cave. when driving in you will see a huge cave (lower Makua cave) on your right side and the dirt parking will be on the left side. How to do the hike: Once you park, you will need to walk along the side of the road, right hand side if you are facing yoks beach. You will see a sign that says, "DANGER Live Ammunition..." do not be alarmed, but that is the marker I use to get to the beginning of the hike. Next, you will start walking through a grassy trail (Keep Right) and just keep going up. The grassy trail will lead to an area that starts to get rock, do not be alarmed you are still on the path, but beware that it starts to get kind of slippery due to the erosion of the rocks, so be careful. As you make your way past the slippery rocky area you will see a grassy hillside trail on the right which you will follow until you reach your destination. Tips: I would highly recommend wearing covered shoes that have good grip on the bottom. Be courteous to others and call out following rocks that may be cause by you when going through the slippery sections. Take your time going down the hill and make sure you have good footing before putting all your weight on the are. Lastly, take plenty of pictures and have fun!

    Jenn J.

    I want to warn everyone who park at Kaena Point Monument to hike The Upper Makua cave. Some lowlife sack of shit broke into my car today and busted my window while I was hiking with my friend. Just to steal my makeup bag... unbelievable!!! This is for you lowlife scumbag I hope Karma gets back at you! Other than that, the hike is short with a beautiful destination and view.

    Olivia P.

    After a day at Yoks, we stopped alongside the road to do this little hike. Everybody's reviews about it being dangerous is pretty accurate... you're literally on the cliff. One thing to know is that you'll definitely be rock climbing so try to wear shoes with a decent amount of grip. I'm not saying you need to bring hiking boots but there are some smooth and loose rocks to climb on the way up so you'll feel safer if you had good shoes to hike with. The hike itself isn't that hard. There's different ways of going up to the caves so naturally, we took the "easier" route. The view is beautiful and definitely Instagram worthy. The best part was that it didn't take long to get to the top. It's short and sweet but it's definitely a work out. Going down is harder than going up IMO so take your time and have fun!

    Monica G.

    Pretty cool trail with a pretty much straight up face up, we went too far as we keep free climbing up, wish there is a sign at the open area. The view is a killer.

    Chi C.

    First time hiking this trail and it was a workout. Thankfully the trail is short but it's a constant up on non-paved trails that lead you through brushes, rocks, and tons of gravel. But the views! Beautiful. (And perfect spot to take the most goofiest photographs as all you really get are silhouettes as the sun is behind your back. We took plenty...enjoy the privilege of living or visiting paradise!) Parking is along the road and there's a couple of trail entrances. Take plenty of water and plan on sticking around for at least 20 minutes once you reach the top to truly take in the beauty of the space.

    Didn't make it to the top but i was right below it, same view tho ‍
    Melissa P.

    This hike is a hidden gem! It's really hard to find the path to get to the actual cave, and sadly i didn't make it to the cave but i was literally right below it and had the same view ‍ I would not recommend bringing animals or small children because there is a lot of loose rocks and it gets pretty steap! Great cardio in the famous west side heat!

    Lower Makua Cave
    Celina Y.

    Short hike with AMAZING views!!!! We saw a pod of dolphins, talked story with a shy mountain goat, and lusted over a shirtless guy showing off his 6 pack. How to Get There: Take Farrington Highway into Waianae all the way until you see Kaneana State Park on your left. There is a small parking lot for the lower cave BUT don't park there! Sure, stop and check out the lower cave if you want but the upper cave is where you want to be. Drive another 50ft to the speed limit sign and park there. You'll be able to see your car the whole time you're on the trail and less likely to get broken into. The Trail: Trail head is easy to find thanks to the "Danger Unexploded Ordinance do not enter" sign. Hold your breath, say a little prayer and trek on. The trail forks at the bottom of the hill: follow it to your right and always follow it to the right. The trail continues to the top of the mountain which is great, but remember you're looking for the upper cave which is in the middle of the mountain. Other Yelpers mentioned a rope but on 10/25/16 there was no rope. No rope, no problem! Just be sure the rocks you grab onto and step on are well grounded. The worse that can happen is you slide down a few feet OR drop a rock onto your fellow hiking friends. Can't wait to go back for a sunset hike during whale season! Trek on Yelpers!

    From the Speed Limit 25 sign there should be a noticeable pathway, thats where you start! And straight upward from there.
    Kalae K.

    Successfully accomplished this hike, It was only hard for us because we were going the wrong way. PLEASE don't make the same mistake we did. If other reviewers are saying start at the " 25 MPH Sign " please start there. We went by another sign that said 'No Trespassing' - DO NOT. GO. THAT. WAY. - it'll seriously confuse you. The starting point from the 25mph sign is pretty straightforward. Just to go all the way up. It is a strenuous hike, so be careful. What seemed like a 20 minute hike actually took us an hour and a half because we went the wrong route and refused to climb back down and start over. But seeing other hikers coming down a what looked like a path made us walk over to the actual path to the hike is when we got back on track.

    Brother Kyle and Justin. Aloha

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    Trails are not very well marked, nice views at the end of the trail but be careful do not park your car on the side of the road!

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    Upper Makua Cave - Access Restricted Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Upper Makua Cave - Access Restricted

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    For a few reasons. 1. It is federal property and a crime to do so. There are signs every 40ft or… Read more

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    Review Highlights - Upper Makua Cave - Access Restricted

    Trailhead: Towards Kaena Point on the mountain side of the road (obvi) near a 45 mph sign.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Pu'u'ohulu Kai - City night view

    Pu'u'ohulu Kai

    4.7(153 reviews)
    5.4 mi

    Very cool hike. Unexpected difficult hike I would guess 2 miles round trip with some steep…read moreclimbing. I wouldn't bring kids unless they experienced hikers and no small dogs. But very rewarding hike with a beautiful 360 view at the top. Bring extra water and snacks and can have a nice picnic at the top.

    This west side Pink Pillbox Trail isn't as famous as the east side's Lanikai Pillbox Trail, but…read moreit's only about a 15-minute drive from Aulani and way less crowded -- definitely a nice bonus. Just set your GPS to Puʻu O Hulu (Pink Pillbox) Trailhead, and you'll find plenty of street parking along that stretch. Still, I'd recommend parking closer to the entrance for safety because we noticed broken glass scattered on the ground further down the road, probably from past break-ins. We actually parked once, saw the glass right by our car, and quickly moved closer to the entrance instead. Right after we parked, it started raining. The forecast said it would last about 30 minutes, so we just waited it out in the car before starting our hike. The trailhead is right between a yellow "Falling Rocks" warning sign and a white "Speed Limit 25" sign on a utility pole. The hike starts with a steep incline, but overall it's not too hard and just a bit narrow at parts. There are three pillboxes total. It took us around 30 minutes to reach the first one at a relaxed pace, stopping for photos along the way. The first pillbox is painted in blue graffiti inside, and from there you can continue up to the famous pink one. When we got to the pink pillbox, there were surprisingly tons of flies swarming around the entrance for some reason, so we didn't stay too close. The wind was really strong up there -- strong enough that I had trouble keeping my balance! It looked like reaching the third pillbox would require climbing over quite a few rocks, so we decided to turn back instead. On the drive back, we passed Ulehawa Beach Park, where we saw a whole row of homeless encampments right by the ocean -- literally parked and camped along the beachfront. We even saw a few people running across the road and one guy riding his motorcycle the wrong way, yelling at drivers passing by. If that's a regular thing, really sad to see this.

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    Pu'u'ohulu Kai
    Pu'u'ohulu Kai
    Pu'u'ohulu Kai

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    Mauna Lahilahi

    Mauna Lahilahi

    4.6(23 reviews)
    4.2 mi

    Now this was a fun and short hike! The older I get and the older age of the guests I take on hikes,…read morethe more interested I am in completing hikes that get straight to the point - the view! This hike falls in that category. Make your way to Makaha and park on a neighborhood street. Please be respectful of where and how you park to show respect to the locals living in the area. Please ensure to not leave any trash and if you see any, please pick it up and dispose of it properly. It's just a short 3-minute walk to the base of the little hike. I believe it took us 15-20 minutes to make it to the top. I felt comfortable enough to allow my 5 year old daughter hike on her own with my supervision. There were a couple challenging spots, but as long as you push through, you should be good. The view from the stop is absolutely stunning. Since the hike is on the makai side, you can capture a full 360 view around. P.S. Waianae/Makaha is synonymous with choke homeless people and Hawaiians. Please plan appropriately.

    SUPER short hike, but really breathtaking views! Came with a friend, and we hiked up about half the…read moremountain. She decided not to do the bit of "rock climbing" involved, and stayed behind with my dog. Still a very worthwhile view for just 10 minutes of work (or less). I went on, and while the rock climbing was very short, it is not for everyone. It is not extremely clear how to climb it (for someone without a lot of rock climbing experience aka me), but if you were to fall, the probably of it being fatal seems low. Gorgeous views to your left and right when you get to the top. Skip the "right fork". Just a little beach walk. We were done with both sides in less than an hour.

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    Mauna Lahilahi
    Mauna Lahilahi
    Mauna Lahilahi

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    Maili Pillboxes

    Maili Pillboxes

    4.7(64 reviews)
    8.7 mi

    I never grow tired of the amazing ocean and mountain views from this short hike…read more Have hiked both sunset and sunrise hikes enjoyed both. Although not a long hike, if you are not use to uneven rocky uphill the first section may be alittle rough for you both going up and down. We use poles, especially useful going down. The trail has very little shade so best done in morning or late afternoon. We usually only go to the first 3 pillboxes, which all have beautiful views. The art in the first one is fairly uncovered. Unfortunately the second one's art has been mostly covered by graffiti. I don't get why anyone would deface it. It is late February and the mountain has lush tall green grass lining the trail. Summertime is completely different being on the dryer side of island. The wind has been quit strong so instead of hanging on top of pillbox we spent sometime inside looking out the openings taking it all in. Back to the views, I never, never grow tired of them. Absolutely stunning!!!!

    It's actually the same location when you search Pink Pillbox or Puʻu O Hulu…read more This west side Pink Pillbox Trail isn't as famous as the east side's Lanikai Pillbox Trail, but it's only about a 15-minute drive from Aulani and way less crowded -- definitely a nice bonus. Just set your GPS to Puʻu O Hulu (Pink Pillbox) Trailhead, and you'll find plenty of street parking along that stretch. Still, I'd recommend parking closer to the entrance for safety because we noticed broken glass scattered on the ground further down the road, probably from past break-ins. We actually parked once, saw the glass right by our car, and quickly moved closer to the entrance instead. Right after we parked, it started raining. The forecast said it would last about 30 minutes, so we just waited it out in the car before starting our hike. The trailhead is right between a yellow "Falling Rocks" warning sign and a white "Speed Limit 25" sign on a utility pole. The hike starts with a steep incline, but overall it's not too hard and just a bit narrow at parts. There are three pillboxes total. It took us around 30 minutes to reach the first one at a relaxed pace, stopping for photos along the way. The first pillbox is painted in blue graffiti inside, and from there you can continue up to the famous pink one. When we got to the pink pillbox, there were surprisingly tons of flies swarming around the entrance for some reason, so we didn't stay too close. The wind was really strong up there -- strong enough that I had trouble keeping my balance! It looked like reaching the third pillbox would require climbing over quite a few rocks, so we decided to turn back instead. On the drive back, we passed Ulehawa Beach Park, where we saw a whole row of homeless encampments right by the ocean -- literally parked and camped along the beachfront. We even saw a few people running across the road and one guy riding his motorcycle the wrong way, yelling at drivers passing by. If that's a regular thing, really sad to see this.

    Photos
    Maili Pillboxes
    Maili Pillboxes
    Maili Pillboxes

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    Mt Ka'ala Trail

    Mt Ka'ala Trail

    4.4(45 reviews)
    5.7 mi

    Let's get a few facts and opinions out of the way from the start:…read more- There are better hikes on this island, much better (Olomana Ridge comes to mind) - The start of this hike is arid, ugly, and brutally hot with little shade - There are lots of buildings (and a road, that you ain't allowed to drive on) on the summit Now that you know all these things, this is the highest point on Oahu and a worthy objective! If you're a peakbagger-type, this high point is an absolute must and is very easy compared to the high points of Kauai, Maui, and Moloka'i. If you can stay cool, this is a pretty easy hike, in my opinion. The route-finding is very straight-forward and there's only a little bit of scrambling. About staying cool: I would bring a few gallons of water. Drink as much as you can while you're still at your car, then soak your shirt and a headband in it. This'll help for the mostly treeless first part and it'll be long-dry by the time you reach the cooler, moist upper parts of the mountain. Another options is to start hiking up before sunrise but, if you're on vacation, you're probably not to interested in that. Yes, the summit is covered in military buildings but the views are still fantastic. I highly recommend doing a 360-degree walk around the perimeter fence. Another advantage of this hike is that it's not insanely popular. It's possible you might only see one or two other parties on the whole mountain.

    This hike is not for the weak and definitely not for beginners. Mt. Ka'ala is known as the highest…read morepoint on the island of Oahu but the trip and the end result is well worth your efforts. The whole trip can take about 6-7hrs, up and back. Item I highly recommend you bring with you: -Electrolyte WATER (***I took a whole gallon with me***) -Small snacks ( Nuts, fruit bars, protein/granola bars, musubi, manapua, etc) -Sunscreen (7 hrs in the sun will get you. My face was sunburnt after.) -Hiking spikes (It was slippery even though it wasn't raining.) -Gloves ( You'll be climbing lots of rope!! Your hands will get raw.) -Hiking Bag/Backpack -Wear long sleeves and leggings (The water wicking type to stay cool and protected from the sun and bugs.) -Hat -Sunglasses -Selfie stick -Satellite radio ( I had one just in case but we all had cellular connection the whole trip. ) -Cellphone & rechargeable battery -Bug spray -Good Attitude ( This hike was hard but it wasn't impossible.) I came here with a group of hikers, now my new found friends, and we all pitched in on a giant UHAUL 16-seater van so that we wouldn't have to take our personal vehicles. We did this because the parking lot for this hike is well known for break-ins, so we made sure that nothing was left in the van when we began our hike. From the start, it's all incline and it kept getting more and more steep the further you went in. Majority of the trail is covered by trees and brush so there was plenty of shade. The closer you got to the top, the better the view got and it was pretty fulfilling to feel so high up. Once you reach the Mt. Ka'ala sign and the forest conservation, you get to experience the Hawaiian rain forest where you're required to stay on the wood/metal path laid out to minimize human damage to the environment. You'll know you've reached the top when you see a fenced in building owned by the government. There's a path along the fence line that'll bring you to the final view. Once there, you'll finally be able to take break, sit down, breathe in the cold air and enjoy the amazing view from the clouds as they pass you by. Goodluck, stay safe and happy hiking!

    Photos
    Mt Ka'ala Trail - Our crew at the top

    Our crew at the top

    Mt Ka'ala Trail
    Mt Ka'ala Trail

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    Pu'u Hapapa Trail

    Pu'u Hapapa Trail

    4.8(12 reviews)
    7.8 mi

    Open to the public only a few days a year (when the military isn't having live ammo exercises), we…read morewere lucky to hike it on 4th of July. We came up Kunia Road and entered Schofield Barracks. You tell them you wanna hike Kole Kole trail. Then you pull over and get a permit. Your car must be fully legal and bring ID for everyone. They take your photo. Then we drove back into the base a while to the trail head. Nice parking and safe from thieves and vandals. The first 0.4 miles is extremely easy, like easier and shorter than Diamond Head. You get to a bench viewing area that is absolutely gorgeous. Unique views of West side. If you continue on to the left of the bench is a trail partially obscured by tall scratchy California grass. The trail is still easy for awhile, we took the left fork which is more gradual. Then you start ascending the side cliff which gets progressively more challenging, loose gravel, rock climbing but there are ropes to help you. Glad I brought spikes for the way down. Should have brought my gloves and worn long pants as I got lots of scratches on my legs from plants. We went to the top a little past where the junction is. You can see North Shore, West side, and all the way to Diamond Head. Approximately 2.5 miles total. Not too dangerous and mostly shaded until the ridge part. Sae many other side trails would love to explore.

    We tried this trail this past Sunday as it was open to the public. Keep checking thier FB page for…read moredates and times the trail will be open. https://www.facebook.com/usaghawaii/ First thing, it had been raining that morning, so we knew there was a possibility we wouldn't be going up and down the notches. The thing about Kolekole trail is that if it had been raining, it dries up pretty quick. It's like the trail just absorbs all the rain. The hike up was fairly easy and clear however very gusty. We made our way up the summit only to feel the gusts even more. And that then was the end of the trail for us. Always practice safety first. There is always another day. The views were spectacular so it wasn't a total loss.

    Photos
    Pu'u Hapapa Trail
    Pu'u Hapapa Trail
    Pu'u Hapapa Trail

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    Kuaokala Trail

    Kuaokala Trail

    4.5(11 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    This trail was absolutely beautiful in one of my favorite areas of Oahu. It had numerous shady…read moreareas which is a bonus. My favorite part was driving into Space Force Station and having amazing views while driving. You will have to obtain a pass through DLNR and show a valid ID at the gate as well as wait for an escort along the top of the mountain road. I had no issues with wait times. Keep hiking!

    Hiked this trail for the first time, it is located past Makaha. You turn in at the Space force sign…read morestopping at the guard shack. Must have identification for all hikers, car registration, safety doc. for car and print out of day pass permit acquired from trails.ehawaii.gov. Carry copy with you and one on dash of car. Once cleared you will drive up hill to gate where you will be escorted by Military Security to another gate to trailhead. The trail starts through very tall thick grass opening up to pine needle covered trail. In this section the trail can be a little narrow with a cliff drop off on one side. There are many gorgeous ocean and Mountain View's throughout most of the hike. The trail comes out on a dirt roads that can be steep as you climb higher. The trail becomes a single track again with area of loose dirt, steep areas and narrow with drop offs. You come up on rock formations that are shaped by erosion. This is a great area for pictures. Do not take your dog, there are signs by a gate warning you there may be hunting dogs and do not leave trail because there are snares to catch feral goats and pigs. We enjoyed this beautiful interesting hike. I'd start early as this hike can be warm in some areas.

    Photos
    Kuaokala Trail - A butterfly found on a flower

    A butterfly found on a flower

    Kuaokala Trail
    Kuaokala Trail

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    Upper Makua Cave - Access Restricted - hiking - Updated May 2026

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