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Along the Windward Side...from Makapu’u to Downtown Honolulu

© Lottie Tagupa

The Makapu'u Lookout is a great spot to stop, get a grab a few quick pictures of the scenic expanse below you. This lookout is one of the most lovely on the island. Makapu'u Beach lies below, with Manana and Kaohikaipu Islands to the right. Up ahead lie Waimanalo, the Mokulua Islands, Mokapu Peninsula and beyond, the Windward Coast of Oahu. Just before this lookout, you will see a gated dirt road on the right. This is the beginning of the Makapu'u Lighthouse hiking trail. The views from the base of the lighthouse are spectacular and include whales in the winter and the occasional pod of dolphins.

As the drive continues along the Makapu'u coastline, up ahead and to the right you will find the entrance to Sea Life Park. A great place to spend the morning or afternoon, enjoying the dolphins perform or to feed the sea lions. On the left is the famous Makapu'u beach break. Boogie boarders and body surfers enjoy this shore break, but it is not for the faint of heart. The undertow can be quite treacherous, so be sure to heed the lifeguard's recommendations.

Continuing along Kalanianaole Highway will bring you into the Waimanalo area. About a mile from the pier off to the left, you will find the house where Magnum P.I. was located. The pier was also used in many scenes as well.

A drive through Waimanalo is scenic and offers a glimpse of true Hawaiian country living. Many Hawaiians have homestead land here and life is quite rural in thought and spirit here. There are many organic farms and nurseries located in this area, especially inland toward the cliffs of the Koolau range. Waimanalo beach is one of the largest of beaches on Oahu. Uncrowded and picturesque, it offers enjoyment and clear warm water. It was the sight of many beach scenes in the new Fantasy Island series. Adjacent to Waimanalo Beach Park is Bellows beach. Bellows is a military recreational area, complete with cabins and overnight camping.

The entrance to Olomana Golf Links signals your entrance into the Kailua area. One of Hawaii's favorite small town suburbs, it offers a casual suburban ocean side lifestyle that is hard to match anywhere else. Here the road widens and divides into city-like proportions. Enjoy the unobstructed ocean views as the drive heads up toward the Pali Highway.

At the intersection you will find Castle Memorial Hospital, be sure to turn left onto Pali Highway. This intersection commonly known as Castle junction by locals. At this intersection, your drive heads toward the Koolaus and over the Nuuanu Pali and back into Honolulu. At the next intersection, if you turn right, the road will take you through Kaneohe town along the Windward side and eventually up toward the North Shore. Allow another 3 hours for this detour, but for today is straight ahead. Pali Highway climbs slowly along the hillside then into a hairpin turn. On the opposite side of the highway along this hairpin turn, you will find a turnoff and parking area. In the area just behind this parking lot, you will find the trailhead to the Maunawili and Old Pali road hiking trails. These two trails are wide and easy to hike and muddy at times, but they offer great views and great rainforest hiking. Take the trail to the left and it will take you along the inland expanse of the Koolaus. Take the trail to the right, and you can follow the Old Pali road up to Nuuanu Lookout on foot.

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