Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline
Photo Credit: Sean Newsome

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

Monitor weather reports before you park

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[MOLOKA\'I] - UPDATE 3/24/25: Pala'au State Wayside Park Pavilion: Due to demolition and renovation work, the pavilion will be closed from March 25 to May 31.

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[OʻAHU] - UPDATE 3/24/25: The Nu'uanu Pali State Wayside is closed indefinitely due to police activity in the area.  Please avoid the area until further notice.

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[KAUAʻI] - UPDATE 3/21/25: Pā‘ula‘ula State Historic Site - Due to construction improvements, the park closure will begin starting March 24 until further notice.

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[OʻAHU] - UPDATE 3/18/25: Mauna ʻAla, Royal Mausoleum State Monument will be undergoing improvements that may temporarily prevent vehicular access. Please check the Royal Mausoleum State Monument website for updates.

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[OʻAHU] UPDATED 3/18/25 – Diamond Head State Monument (DHSM): Full Park Closures will occur Tuesdays through Fridays beginning April 1 to April 11 and also Monday through Thursday April 14 to April 17.  Partial Park Closures Hours with operating hours from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM will occur on Monday April 7 during this time, and will resume from April 21 onwards Monday through Friday, (except weekends and holidays).   Normal Park Hours from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM will resume during Spring Break March 17 to March 28, Good Friday Holiday on April 18, and Weekends. During Partial Park Closures Hours from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM, the last reservation time slot for Parking and Entry and Entry Only will be 12:00 p.m. If you reserved at 12:00 p.m., you must enter the Park no later than 12:30 p.m. or you will be denied entry. The project began January 6, 2025, and will run to July 25, 2025, or upon completion of the rock fall mitigation construction project at the Kahala Tunnel. Please check back for updates.

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[MAUI] UPDATE 3/4/25 - Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area: Beginning April 1, 2025 through April 30, 2025 the park, cabin campgrounds and access road to Polipoli Forest Reserve will be closed due to tree mitigation work. 

Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline

  • Picture of Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline
  • Picture of Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline
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Hours

Summer: 7:00am to 7:45pm

 

Winter: 7:00am to 6:45pm

 

Summer Hours Begin on April 1st

Winter Hours Begin the Day After Labor Day
Entrance Fee None
Trail Name

Description

A 1-mile hike (one-way) along a paved roadway leads to a lookout atop a headland above the historic Makapuʻu lighthouse (the lighthouse itself is off-limits, but can be viewed from the trail). At various points along the route there are sweeping views of the southeastern O’ahu coastline, and migrating humpback whales may be visible during whale season. No drinking water or restrooms are available.

Whale Watching

The Makapuu Lighthouse trail and the lookouts within Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline provide great whale watching opportunities in-season. As many as 10,000 humpbacks come to Hawaii every year to mate, give birth and nurse their calves. Hawaii’s humpback whale season runs from November through May, with January through March being the peak whale-watching months.

Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail

The 2-mile round-trip trail involves an uphill climb to 500-foot elevation under hot, dry, and windy conditions. The surface is paved and is a former access road to the lighthouse. For more information on the Lighthouse Trail click here.

Makapuu Tide Pools

The tide pools located at Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline commonly referred to as the Makapu’u tide pools are in a CLOSED AREA and considered very dangerous. The area is known to have unpredictable wave surges that have swept people out to sea resulting in a loss of life. Furthermore, the steep and loose trail leading to the tide pools is hazardous to those on it and those below it. Please do not attempt to access the tide pools as you are putting yourself and potentially our rescue workers in jeopardy.

Yellow-Faced Bee Conservation