Diamond Head is one of the most famous landmarks on Oahu
and the entire state of Hawaii.
It has once been an active volcano, but hasn’t spewed any
ashes for more than 150,000 years. The extinct crater and
lookout point at the peak of it is a popular hiking destination
for many. In fact, Diamond Head is one of the most photographed
and painted spots on Oahu, adorning many wall calendars
and postcards.
Located at the eastern end of
Waikiki and right on the ocean, Diamond Head has already
made an impression to early sailors. In 1825, British sailors
noticed small sparkling calcite crystals in the beach sand
nearby the crater and named the mountain Diamond Hill. This
name was later changed to Diamond Head. This is how the
crater got its English name.
The Hawaiian name for Diamond Head is Le‘ahi, a contraction
of lae, meaning point of land and ‘ahi, meaning yellowfin
tuna. So Le‘ahi means “point (of the) ahi fish.” From a
distance, the mountain looks like the dorsal fin of the
ahi fish, hence its Hawaiian name Le‘ahi.
Diamond Head was purchased by the federal government in
1904 for $3,300. In the 1930s, a couple of gun emplacements
for coast artillery defenses were built. After the attack
on
Pearl Harbor in 1941, further gun emplacements, pillboxes
and foxholes were built on Diamond Head to be able to better
defend Oahu in the future. Many of them still remain on
the crater rim and one underground facility, the Birkheimer
Tunnel, houses the headquarters for the State Civil Defense
Agency. Today, the entire mountain and crater is a state
park known as Diamond Head State Monument.
Diamond Head Crater measures 3,520 feet (1,073 m) across
and 760 feet (232 m) in height. A hiking trail leads from
the crater up to a lookout point. But be prepared to climb
some stairs. In fact, there are two stairs, one has 99 steps
and a second one has 76 steps. There’s also a 225-foot (69
m) hardly lit tunnel through which you’ll have to go. The
tunnel is a remnant of the former military use of the crater.
So you should be in good physical condition to do the hike.
But it’s definitely worth the effort once you reach the
top, after about 30-40 minutes if you’re in good shape.
The view is spectacular, especially on a clear and sunny
day.
Bring some water and sunscreen because it will get hot.
In case you forget, there is a comfort station at the base
of the otherwise undeveloped crater, where you can buy water
(water fountains and restrooms are also there, as is a truck
that sells hot dogs and hamburgers).
Diamond Head in Bullet Points
Diamond Head is an extinct volcano and a popular
visitor attraction on Oahu
You can hike up to its 760-foot-high peak, but
be prepared
to climb stairs
Amazing views of Honolulu, Waikiki and the vast
ocean await at the top; on clear days the neighbor islands
of Molokai and Lanai can be seen on the horizon
Driving Directions to Diamond Head / Location
Diamond Head is located at the eastern end of Waikiki. From
Waikiki, you can take bus number 22, 23 or 58 and get off
at the bus stop at Diamond Head (just ask the driver if
you're not sure where exactly).
Address: Diamond Head Rd. at 18th Ave., Honolulu, HI
96816
Make sure you bring enough water. You should also be in decent shape. Even though it's a relatively short hike (about 30-40 min. one way), the trail up there is hot and sunny. When I hiked up there last year, a woman got sick and a helicopter had to come and air-lift her to a hospital.
liz
Posted 429 days ago
The walk up is long and hot so bring a ton of water. The view from the top is so beautiful it takes your breath away! It is so worth it! The walk down is also alot eaiser- remember that. Most of all its a great feeling to be able to say i hiked to the top of that huge volcano! How many people can say that?
John
Posted 466 days ago
The hike was great and not too difficult. When I went, it was Easter's day, so it was busy. Next time i would go in a week day if I can,so hopefully there won't be so many people. If you go, get some water with you. The sun is very hot and it is easy to get dehydrated.
Nadja
Posted 467 days ago
If you're in decent shape, this hike is fun and you'll enjoy great views once you reach the top of Diamond Head. On a clear day, you can even say the neighbor island of Molokai in the distance.
