Makapuu Tidepools and Waimanalo Beach – May 30, 2011

Since we did a longer hike the previous day, the Lost Trailblazers decided to go on an easy adventure for the Memorial Day holiday. Not a difficult trail, if even considered one, the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail and Makapuu Tidepools are an easily accessible outdoor activity for people of all ages. Located East of Honolulu, the pools are large enough to snorkel in. Please exercise caution in summer months as large Northeast swells/waves frequently crash on the rocks, in and over the pools. The water exits at the east end of the pools, and you should therefore avoid those areas to wade in as you do not want to exit as well. If you are planning to go here, you should bring shoes (for hiking up/down trail), fins or tabis (felt bottomed reef-walking shoes), and a snorkel. The hike to the pools is short enough, so that you can pack food and drinks for lounging for a couple hours. Parking at the trailhead may be a problem on the weekend as it is a popular tourist spot as well as for many locals.

There is also a blowhole present near the tidepools which can spout > 30 feet high if the waves are surging, i.e. in summer months or during swells. Please be careful if you are go near it.

Lost Trailblazers heading down a well-worn footpath to the pools. Mind there are several paths that lead down to the pools, but please try to use the most defined path as there are many loose rocks, and lines that are more difficult than the one pictured.

One of the large waves mentioned above. The people in the picture are in a precarious spot if a larger surge came in.

Having a Boddingtons upon arriving at the tidepools. Please exercise caution while consuming alcohol on trails. Alcohol can dehydrate you and affect your balance, as well as exhibit poor decision making.

We planned to go to “Pele’s Chair” and Alan Davis Beach via the rim trail around the eastern coast of Makapuu, however the waves were crashing over many parts of the trail to be considered “safe.” We saw many people who attempted it and came back as predicted. Alan Davis was way too crowded on Memorial Day anyway. We decided to go to a more secluded spot in Waimanalo which was far more relaxing. Maybe on a weekday next time.

To view this location on a Google Map also known as my “Adventure Map“, Click Here. For more adventures of the Lost Trailblazers, either look at my other blogposts and “Adventures with the Lost Trailblazers” photo gallery, or check out David’s website“UnrealHawaii.com“.