oahubound

the West Side

Kaena Point, Keawaula end

The end of the road on the west coast, and the trail out to the northwest tip of the island.

Kaena Point, Keawaula end

Why go

The last stretch of Oahu with no road on it. Albatross nest at the point and monk seals haul out on the shore, behind a predator fence.

The catch

The trail is an old rail bed with no shade and no water for two and a half miles each way. Take more water than you think. This is the west side approach; the Mokuleia trail reaches the same point from the other direction and they are an hour and a half apart by road.

How long
3-4 hours
With children
With care
Effort
Moderate
Cost
Free
Parking
Easy

Winter, for nesting albatrossAnyone who wants the island without a car park at the end

Before you go

  • Minimum age 8
  • Busiest at weekends

Getting there

Driving times on real roads, from the same data the trip planner routes on — not straight-line distance.

From Waikīkī1 hr 29 min47.8 miles
From HNL airport1 hr 30 min44.3 miles
From Mākaha22 min9.2 miles
From Ko Olina51 min21.4 miles

Add traffic. These are free-flowing times, and the H1 through town at eight in the morning is not free-flowing.

More on Kaena Point, Keawaula end: OpenStreetMap

Hours, fees and access rules have not been checked against a primary source for this entry yet. Confirm before you build a day around it.

See it on the map Build a trip around it

What else is close

Nearest by road, which is not the same as nearest on a map — and not the same as sharing a region either.

  • Kaena Point, Mokuleia end5 min awayThe North Shore approach to Kaena Point, past Dillingham airfield where the road runs out.
  • Kaneana Cave12 min awayA tall limestone cave cut into the cliff on the Waianae coast, a few steps off the highway.
  • Kaneaki Heiau28 min awayA fully restored heiau up Makaha Valley, with reconstructed thatched structures.
  • Kuilioloa Heiau29 min awayA heiau on the point at the end of Pokai Bay, out over the water on three sides.
  • Ko Olina Lagoons50 min awayFour man-made lagoons on the dry west side, each one ringed by rock so the water barely moves.
  • Wet'n'Wild Hawaii53 min awayThe island water park, out at Kapolei on the dry side.