Guest Post by: HNLhulagirl

Officially called the Diamond Head Summit Trail, this 1.6 mile roundtrip trail offers a bit of history, a bit of exercise and a huge panoramic payoff at the end of the trail. Unlike most trails in Hawaii, this one is dry, paved in spots and crowded at times. For the mere $5 car entrance fee or the $1 pedestrian entrance fee, Diamond Head offers a hiking experience like no other. Recent park and trail improvements have refreshed and revitalized this important Hawaii icon.

The gates are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday, including holidays. Access to the trail head is easiest by rental car or by public transit.

By bus, board the #58 or #22 Hawaii Kai-Sea Life Park anywhere along the mauka or mountainside of Kuhio Avenue. Walk up the crater road through the tunnel into the crater. To return, stand on Diamond Head Road and wait for the #58 Waikiki-Ala Moana or #22 Waikiki Beach and Hotels bus. Buses run about 30 minutes apart.

By car, follow Monsarrat Avenue from the Honolulu Zoo. Monsarrat becomes Diamond Head Road, and the well marked crater access road will be on the right. Continue through the tunnel, into the crater and park in the parking lot.  Remember to lock your car and DO NOT LEAVE ANY VALUABLES in it. Furthermore, remember that any cars remaining in the parking lot after 7 p.m. will be towed away.

It is 0.7 miles, or about an hour to the summit and about a half-hour for the return. The trail climbs along the interior slope of the volcano steadily for about .6 miles, then steeply upward through a series of stairs and tunnels. The first staircase has 79 stairs, and the last has 99.

The crater has a long and revered history. Aside from being one of the largest dormant volcanoes in the islands, it holds a sacred place in Hawaiian history and a heralded military past.

Hawaiians believe that the volcano was originally named Leahi by the goddess Hiiaka. The volcano was used as a navigational guide in ancient times. Torches were positioned along the ridges to guide canoes along the shoreline. Hawaiians also built temples at the summit to appease wind gods and lessen the strong updrafts that frequently extinguished the many torches.

The trail was originally built in 1908 as a part of the US Coastal Artillery defense system and fortification of the landmark. Today there are several artillery batteries still visible along the trail.

Once at the summit the views include the entire southern shore of Oahu, and on clear days, one can see the neighboring islands of Molokai, Lanai and Maui.

Guest Post by: HNLhulagirl

It can start as early as a week before. Local television meteorologists track the Pacific buoys located as far as 120 miles northwest of Kauai various internet sites post the latest updates. As the day approaches, text alerts to cell phones fly across the island and web cams give a glimpse of what will come.

It’s another north shore winter swell on approach to the Hawaiian Islands. The surf makes the north shore communities buzz with excitement. Local surfers haul out their long boards and come alive waiting to challenge Waimea yet again. Those in the islands for the winter are anxious to experience the most awesome waves in the world. Local eateries and merchants stock up on supplies and merchandise and the tourists load up for the trek to the country with cameras charged-up.

The Oahu winter waves bring a force to the North Shore that wakens the sleepy towns between Waialua and Kahuku. One can hear the newest surf slang area bars and eateries. The experienced and not so experienced surfers throw around words like “epic,” “stick,” and “sets”. Speaking of sets, waves are measured not only and feet, but these days those in the know need to clarify Hawaiian or California style because size does matter when it comes to waves. Hawaiian style measures from the back while California style measures the face of a breaking wave.

On the morning of the expected swell, crowds begin to gather from as far away Waikiki to be immersed in the world’s best wave show. Lifeguards post high surf warning signs along the beach and constantly patrol to ensure that innocent bystanders are not swept away in the rip tide. Expert surfers arrive at Waimea knowing that if other surf spots like Pipeline and Sunset close out, Waimea will most likely remain ride-able all day. Surfers who know Waimea favor the huge break off Waimea point where their skills are flaunted and tested with each ride.

By mid-morning the traffic begins to slow to a crawl. Parking lots from Ali’i to Sunset beaches begin to fill and overflow onto the shoulder of Kamehameha Highway. Rental cars everywhere and outnumber private cars. Professional photographers with telephoto lenses stand in ranks with their equipment along the Waimea Valley hillside to catch those perfect shots.

Everyone gets their fill of the sun and scenery. Many will “ooh” and “aah” at the tremendous force of these waves and all will appreciate the talents of those who dare to challenge Waimea. As the shadows begin to lengthen, most will make their way back to Haleiwa for a meal or at least a shave-ice at Matsumoto’s before heading back into Waikiki. The locals will head for various post surf session gatherings at friends homes, and nearby bars. Merchants and restaurateurs will close for the evening happy and exhausted.

It is another great winter day on Oahu’s North Shore and another great day of he’e nalu or wave riding Waimea style.