Hawaii Travel｜Hiking to Explore Kaena Point on the Northwestern Tip of Oahu (West Route)
by: Ctrip Local Guide Hawaii - Zhao Youli
Kaena Point, located at the northwesternmost tip of Oahu, Hawaii, is a nature reserve. It is home to rare animals such as the black-footed albatross, Hawaiian monk seal, Hawaiian yellow-faced bee, and some native Hawaiian plants. Kaena means 'hot' in the Hawaiian language. Legend has it that in ancient times, Hawaiian souls would pass through Kaena Point into another world to meet the souls of their ancestors. This area is also the oldest geological region on Oahu. Since there is no road to Kaena Point, you can only reach it by hiking the Kaena Point Trail or mountain biking. The Kaena Point Trail has two routes: the West Route and the North Route, both managed by Kaena Point State Park.
The starting point of the Kaena Point Trail West Route is at the end of Farrington Highway on the Waianae side of Oahu's west coast. Adjacent to the trailhead is Keawaula Beach, the northernmost beach on Oahu's west coast, also under the management of Kaena Point State Park. The beach is equipped with lifeguards, parking, restrooms, and shower facilities. Keawaula means 'red port' in Hawaiian, named for the abundance of squid in the nearby waters, which turn red during breeding season. The bay where Keawaula Beach is located is called Yokohama Bay, named after Japanese fishermen who came to fish there in the early 20th century.
The Kaena Point Trail West Route is about 3.8 kilometers one way. The terrain is relatively rugged and narrow, hugging the seaside cliffs. Along the way, you will mainly encounter pebble beaches, reef flats, some tidal pools, and a natural sea arch. I once accidentally discovered on a 1943 Japanese map of Hawaii that Kaena Point had a railway in the first half of the 20th century. The railway was built in 1899 and was eventually destroyed by the 1946 tsunami. Today, some remnants of railway ties can still be seen along the West Route. This time I reached Kaena Point via the West Route; the last time I hiked the West Route to Kaena Point was in 2014. Although I often took people to the Kaena Point Trail West Route for photos, I had never walked all the way to the end at Kaena Point. When hiking here, be sure to apply sun protection and bring plenty of drinking water. The trail is dry and hot, with almost no shade. Also, because Kaena Point is a nature reserve, dogs are not allowed in the park to protect wildlife.
Below are photos previously taken along the Kaena Point Trail West Route.
Please do not steal images, articles, or repurpose content. Reprinting must obtain permission and attribution! I am not a botany expert. I may have misidentified some plants in the photos. Please forgive and correct me! Thank you!
