How To Hike The Kaena Point Trail On Oahu, Hawaii

UPDATED FEB 2020. The Kaena Point Trail is an easy, coastal trail in an area where the mountains meet the ocean. There are two different trails to reach the point which begin from different areas of the island and today I am sharing a guide to hiking the Kaena Point trail from the west side of Oahu. I hope this can help you plan your own adventure day to experience the hike for yourself and if you have any questions just let me know.

How To Hike The Kaena Point Trail On Oahu, Hawaii

Disclaimer

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FAQ for the Kaena Point Trail

Where is it located?

Westside, about 1-hour drive from Waikiki.

How long does it take to hike?

2-3 hours depending on your pace.

What skill level is needed?

Beginner – it’s an easy, flat trail.

Is there a cost?

No, it’s free.

What should you bring with you?

• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Water bottle
• Snacks or lunch
• Camera (This is the action camera I use for hiking with this floaty selfie stick)
• Good walking shoes (I use the New Balance Minimus)
• Swimwear and lightweight towel to hit the beach afterward
• A travel journal to document it all (here’s one I created)

The Kaena Point trail is a great hike for coastal views.

Hiking to Kaena Point from the westside

There can be a little confusion with hiking to Kaena Point and this is because the trail can be reached from the westside OR the north shore.

This post is a guide to hiking it from the west side and I have a separate guide on hiking it from the north shore.

The confusion can come in because if you put ‘Kaena Point’ into Google Maps it might not take you to the side you want to hike from so you need to check the map before you start to make sure it matches your plans.

Where to park

You need a car to reach this hike.

If you plan to hike to Kaena Point from the west side, I recommend putting ‘Makua Beach’ into Google Maps BUT keep driving on the highway past Makua Beach and go right to the very, very end.

There is a dirt area which is where you park and it’s a popular trail so you will likely see other cars there.

There’s only one highway up the west coast so it’s hard to get lost.

Be sure to empty any belongings from your car or move them to the trunk BEFORE you leave the hotel or home.

Always leave your car looking empty. Car break-ins are common in Hawaii so it’s best not to be advertising where your valuables are.

The start of the trail

After you park, you’ll be able to follow the path along the coast.

Basically, you’re following the coastline as if the road continued the way you were driving.

What to expect

The trail is rocky so a comfortable pair of shoes is helpful. I use the New Balance Minimus and they are my favorite hiking shoe because they keep me stable in areas of loose footing which boosts my hiking confidence.

It’s a flat trail which makes it less strenuous than some of the hikes with steep inclines like Kuli’ou’ou Ridge or the Koko Head Stairs.

It’s also a good trail for trail running and there were a few runners out there when I went.

There are a lot of tide pools, blowholes, and pretty areas along the coast which you could also go down and explore.

I wouldn’t recommend it in winter though because of the rough conditions. As always, be safe because it can be slippery and use your best judgment.

Bird sanctuary and monk seals

Along the trail, there is a bird sanctuary area and you will not miss it because it is fenced. You can go through the fence as it is designed to keep predators away not hikers.

There are signs to give more information about the birds but the most important information you need is to leave them and their nests alone.

Another animal you may see during this trail is the native monk seal.

These are endangered and protected so you cannot go near them or disturb them, but you can watch them from a distance which is a really cool treat. I have done this trail a few times and I have seen some resting on the beach each time.

What you can see at Kaena Point

You’ll get to the end when you reach the point (you can see the pointy section on the map above).

There’s a pillbox there which makes for some cool photos too. You can hang out here for a bit, maybe have some snacks, and watch the waves and the seals.

After you’re done, you will turn back and follow the trail the way you came.

Monk seal

Safety tips

It’s completely open and exposed to the elements so it is very important to have sun protection. Wear a hat, sunscreen (you’ll probably need to take some to reapply during the trail), and sunglasses.

For the same reason, it’s really important to have water with you to avoid any heat-related illnesses (I’ve had those and they suck so I strongly recommend doing what you can to avoid them.)

If you won’t have snacks with you, it’s a good idea to have a couple of energy gels in case you need them. I usually take these ones with me on my outdoor adventures.

The biggest way to protect against the heat is to hike the trail in the cooler times of the day if you can.

If you do the trail in winter during the big wave season, be sure to stay a safe distance back from the edge.

If you plan to go solo, make sure you tell someone where you will be and what time to expect you back.

Other things to do in the area

You could combine this hike with some time at the beach and I recommend Makua, Makaha, Nanakuli beaches or Yokohama Bay.

If you’d like to go snorkeling, Electric Beach is my personal favorite spot but Makaha Beach is another good option.

It’s very important to note that if you are visiting in winter this is the big wave season on the west side and north shore and these areas might not be safe for swimming and snorkeling during this time. The waves can get quite dangerous and often times the beaches are red-flagged (aka no swimming).

If you are there during winter you probably won’t be able to go swimming, but you are likely to see some free whale watching so keep an eye on the horizon.

In this case, if you really want to get in the water, you would probably want to leave the west side completely and move to the other side for beaches like Lanikai, Makapu’u area, Sandy’s, or Waimanalo.

The west side is a perfect place to watch the sunset – my favorite sunset spots are Yokohama Bay or Makua Beach.

If you wanted to tag on another hike while you are in the area then the Makua cave is an option.

I hope this post can help you plan your own adventure to hike the Kaena Point Trail from the west side.

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