Last Updated on September 21, 2024 by Nikole
The Kalanaianaole Highway, though hard to pronounce and read, is one of the most scenic routes on O’ahu. You don’t want to miss out on this drive. Cascading waterfalls, sheer rocky cliffside, and towering mountainsides are only a few glorious sites you will come across on this iconic highway.
Even if you don’t like, or are unable to go exploring, you can see many of these views right out the window of your transportation. Koko Crater, Hanauma Bay, Lanai Lookout, Halona Blowhole, Halona Beach Cove, Makapu’u Lookout, and Waimanalo Beach are all fantastic views you won’t want to miss on your journey.
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Where is Kalanaianaole Highway?
Kalanaianaole Highway is located on the Island of Oahu Hawaii. You will start your journey in Hawaii Kai (a small town sitting near Koko Crater) and end near the town of Waimanalo (which is shadowed by many of Oahu’s towering ridges.
Take this self-guided tour for a more in-depth experience along the Kalanaianaole Highway. It will take you to all the spots I mention plus several more. It’s only $15 and will go into more depth about the history and focal points of each area you visit.
Here is a map you can follow during your drive through the Kalanaianaole Highway.
Koko Crater
Koko Crater will be your first stop along the Kalanaianaole Highway. Unfortunately, you will have to hike the crater to get the 360 views of Hawaii.
Read our guide to hiking Koko Head Crater.
If you don’t want to hike the first stop along Kalanaianaole Highway, you can just view it as you drive by. If you would like to get out and experience a less strenuous activity you can explore one of the many botanical gardens in Hawaii below the crater.
The picture to the right shows the railroad tracks and the trail to the top of Koko Crater.
It’s about a mile uphill in the grueling heat. There are also many missing railroad ties, due to erosion. What used to be about 1,000 railroad ties, is now less than 800. The trail is said to be fairly difficult, but worth it because of the complete 360 views at the top.
Hanauma Bay
After your drive to Koko Crater, your next stop is Hanauma Bay, a gorgeous inlet created from a past crater. Here you will find Oahu’s best hiking spots, snorkel in the clearest waters, and enjoy the best views!
Parking costs $1 ( we went back in 2016, so prices could be different now.) This is a must-see, and do. If you don’t want to take the time to stop while out sightseeing, then take another day to do this.
Read our post about the Best Oahu Snorkeling Spots for free areas to snorkel.
Lanai Lookout
Lanai Lookout was one of the easiest places to find on our drive along Kalanaianaole Highway.
Here you will find a blow hole along a rocky seaside cliff. The cliffs are located just below the parking area, and you can even climb around on the rocks.
Just be careful because the waves can be pretty intense sometimes. Oh, and fun fact… a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean 4 was filmed here as well!
Halona Blowhole Lookout
Holana Blowhole is in the same area as Lanai Lookout, but unfortunately, we didn’t get a picture of it. It’s best seen during high tide in November to February, we went during low tide and in July.
From December through May, It is possible to see humpback whales from this point. Again we went in July so we missed out on this opportunity.
Halona Beach Cove
This tiny beach was nicknamed Eternity Beach in 1953 after the movie, From Here to Eternity, which was filmed in this tiny cove.
You can locate this area near the Halona blowhole and Lanai lookout.
There is parking up top and is accessible by stairs made out of rocks. It’s fairly easy to climb down, but be careful because the rocks get slippery when wet.
In this picture, we are up top at the lookout.
Makapu’u Point
Makapu’u Point was our favorite destination out of all the stops we made on the Kalanianaole Highway.
There was so much history to discover in the area, and so much to see. To the right of the lookout is a path leading to Makapu‘u Lighthouse. On the left is Makapuu Beach Park.
At the lookout are some relics from World War II including bunkers you can walk through. When you look out you see two islands named Manana and Kaohi-Ka-Ipu.
Here is one of the World War II bunkers. You can crawl inside, as my husband did in the picture, and see the view from the opening.
Somewhere to the right of the lookout is a trail leading to the Makapu’u lighthouse. Unfortunately, we didn’t see it, because we didn’t know about it at the time. the Kai Iwi trail to the lighthouse is 2 miles along some scenic pathways. It is completely free, and there is plenty of parking around the trailhead.
Makapu’u Beach is easily accessible off the highway. It is not recommended you swim here though.
The waves cater to surfers and could easily take out swimmers. There are several bathhouses with clean facilities for you to use on your scenic drive.
Waimanalo Beach and Town
Waimanalo is known on O’ahu for having the longest stretches of sand, 3 miles to be exact.
During the weekdays this beach is considered to be a peaceful and private place to swim and walk around but can get quite rowdy on the weekends.
It is located only 3 minutes from Makapu’u point and is a must-see. We never had the privilege of seeing it, But we did pass by the town.
Behind the white sandy beaches of Waiamanalo, you will see the beautiful ridged cliffs of Ko’olau. Nestled in between the two is the small town of Waimanalo, which is where you will end your drive on the Kalanaianaole Highway.
In Conclusion
The Kalanaianaole Highway is only one of the many scenic drives in Oahu Hawaii, many other drives are waiting to be discovered. I hope you enjoyed the many changes in scenery from towering craters to sheer cliff sides. Tell me of one of your favorite adventures in Oahu in the comments below!
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