The Makapu’u Lighthouse is an iconic landmark of the island of Oahu, Hawaii.

The Makapu’u Lighthouse was originally constructed in 1908 to guide ships through the Diamond Head Pass and the Molokai channel. 

The lighthouse was last operational in 1968 and is now a popular hiking destination for locals and visitors alike. It is situated on the cliffs of Makapu’u Point, at an elevation of 565 feet (172 m). The entire hike is about 6 miles. The hardest part is going up a steep hill at the entrance of the hike. When you reach the top of the hill, you’ll be treated to a spectacular view of Kokohead crater and the eastern shoreline of Oahu. You’ll also see an amazing view of the Molokai channel and out in the far distance, are the islands of Molokai, Maui and Lanai.  

Molokai channel is also the migration path for the Humpback whales. These whales travel thousands of miles from Alaskan shores to bask and in the warm, blue waters of Hawaii. If you look carefully during your hike, you might find some of these whales breaching the surface, or if you are lucky, bear witness to these whales during aerials.  Seeing whales is certainly a sight to behold and would be well worth the hike just by itself. So make sure you have your camera ready just in case. 

A Brief History of Makapuu Lighthouse

Makapuu Lighthouse was built in 1855 and is located in the northeastern shores of Oahu, Hawaii. Situated at the top of a volcanic ridge, Makapuu lighthouse served as a navigational aid that helped to protect the city of Honolulu from the open sea. It also served as a grounding lighthouse for ships that were entering Pearl harbor. Originally erected with a height of approximately 139 feet, the lighthouse was one of the tallest structures in the world at the time. The original light was a fixed light and was originally powered by whale oil lamps.  The grand lighthouse was built by David Tarnow after King Kamehameha IV commissioned him to build it in honor of Queen Emma who had died that year.

Makapuu Lighthouse Trial

Today, many people are looking for a unique vacation experience. If you are one of those individuals, then Makapuu Lighthouse Trial is the perfect place for you! Located on the northern shore of the Hawaiian island Oahu, the island kingdom of Hawaii, Makapuu Lighthouse Tours offers many great opportunities that will surely interest you. Travelers will be able to take a guided tour of the lighthouse, which was built in 191 It is one of the few lighthouses in the United States that is still staffed and operational. This tour includes a view of the coastline and an up-close and personal look at the lighthouse and its history. 

Makapuu Lighthouse Accessibility

This past year, Makapuu Lighthouse has undertaken many renovations to make it’s facilities more accessible to those with mobility and visual restrictions. Among the renovations is the installation of a ramp and a guide-dog restroom to help those with disabilities to access the beach and historic lighthouse. There has also been an alteration to the visitors’ center, which now includes an accessible toilet and a lowered drinking fountain. The lighthouse’s website also has directions and photos to help those with disabilities navigate the lighthouse and enjoy the beauty of the ocean.

Today, the newly introduced trail to Makapuu Lighthouse that is now ADA Compliant. There are 12 steep stairs that separate the trail before the Makapuu Lighthouse level. These stairs were the only thing that would stop people with disabilities from ever being able to visit this historic landmark. For those looking to take in all that Makapuu Lighthouse has to offer, there are plenty of wheelchairs, wheeled walkers, and motorized wheelchairs available to rent through the Makapuu Lighthouse wheelchair rentals. The accessible trail has solved this issue and now this historic landmark can be enjoyed by all, not just regular visitors. 

Makapuu Lighthouse The Trip Advisor blog as well as many other major publications has been speaking about the importance of a Makapuu Lighthouse to prevent Tsunami damage that has been the topic of a lot of talk after the recent tsunami in Japan. The Makapuu Lighthouse is a key fixture on one of Kauai’s best known tourist attractions and a sight many people stop to see when they visit.