Diamond Head

The 30 minute hike to the top of Diamond Head will afford you spectacular views of Honolulu, Waikiki, and other parts of Oahu and neighboring islands.

Some of the best views of Hawaii can be had from the top of Diamond Head, a volcanic crater which is a 5 minute drive from Waikiki beach. The walls of this crater rise 760 feet above seal level, allowing for unimpaired views in all directions. In fact, Diamond Head was an important look-out post during World War II because it offers such a great vantage point. Long since vacated by the military, Diamond Head is now one of Hawaii’s most popular tourist attractions. Don’t make the mistake of avoiding Diamond Head because it is where the "tourists" go. They go there for a reason: because of the stunning views.

There Is No Elevator
The down side of a visit to Diamond Head is the moderately strenuous hike to the top. There are no cable cars or other modern contraptions – not even a convenient road -- to get you to the top. Instead, you reach the summit under your own power in about 30 minutes. The trail to the top is somewhat worn out and gravelly in spots, so we do not recommend flip-flops or other flimsy footwear. On the other hand, this isn’t a hike up the Himalayas, either, so a good pair of sneakers or day-hiking boots will be OK.

The trail is well-marked and well-traveled, so you will have no problem finding your way. It does get tricky, however, when you have to traverse a 200 foot long tunnel the military dug through the side of the crater. No one was kind enough to run some light bulbs through the tunnel, so you are on your own in the dark, unless you plan ahead and bring a flashlight. We can’t emphasize this enough. We were too cool to bring a flashlight on our first visit and we paid the price as we stumbled through the dark corridor. On subsequent visits, a small penlight has done the trick.

The views on the way to the top are nothing to write home about since you are looking mostly at the inside of the crater, which is rather uninspiring. Right before you reach the summit, the bunker that you will walk through serves as unmistakable evidence that this was once a military facility.

The Payoff
Once you get to the top, you will get the payoff: sweeping views of Waikiki to the west and Molokai and Lanai Islands to the east. A camera is a must at this point. Also, if you own a pair of binoculars, you will be sorry if you don’t have them when you make it to the top of Diamond Head.

Resist the temptation to go where you aren’t supposed to. On our first visit, we climbed over the fence and hiked along the ridge near the summit. We soon found that the loose gravel and steep cliffs makes it a very dangerous place to be.

Sorry, there are no Diamonds to be found at Diamond Head. The name comes from sailors’ belief that the worthless calcite crystals they found in the crater were diamonds.

Getting there
By car, take Kalakaua Avenue east bound from Honolulu and Waikiki. Once you have passed all the mega-resorts you will go by the Honolulu Zoo. After the Zoo, make a left on to Monsarrat Avenue and go about a mile to the crater entrance, which is on your right. Go in at the sign that says "Diamond Head Crater." Like too many things in Hawaii, the entrance is not well marked and you get no advance warning, so be alert as you drive up.

City buses will let you off at the entrance, but we recommend that you drive or take a taxi instead since you will have to walk at least mile from the drop-off point to where the trail begins. (Not that we think the walk on level ground will kill you, but it offers no scenery whatsoever.)

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