Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline
Photo Credit: Sean Newsome

PARK UPDATES:

[MAUI] Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area will remain CLOSED until access roads through Kula Forest Reserve are cleared from storm damage and safe to traverse. Anticipated re-opening is November 15th 2022. For updates, please go to: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2022/06/27/nr22-090/

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[KAUAʻI] Polihale State Park – Overnight camping will reopen beginning Aug. 14, 2022. Reservations will be available online starting Aug. 1 and may be made up to 90 days in advance.. Additionally, State Parks encourages the community to participate in the Polihale Survey to help develop access and management policies for the park. Please participate in the survey, and mahalo for being respectful stewards of your parks.

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[MAUI] ʻIAO VALLEY STATE MONUMENT – As of August 1, 2022 ʻIao Valley State Monument will be closed until January 15, 2023 for the final phase of the slope stabilization project and parking lot improvements.

Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline

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    Hours Daily 7:00am – 6:45pm
    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.