Hiking the Famous Diamond Head Crater in Waikiki

The ascent on the Diamond Head Crater trail is no joke. It'll get your blood pumping.

The story of Waikiki, the most famous of places in the Hawaiian Islands, is an interesting one. You might find it hard to believe that this tropical beach vacation destination, was historically swamps and duck ponds, before being drained and filled in. Sand was imported to create a beach, and the hotels and resorts followed, as well as some of the highest priced real estate in the islands. However, through all the changes, one thing remained the same...at the end of Waikiki, a familiar geological feature loomed large, known now as Diamond Head Crater.

Just magnificent views from the top.

Known in Hawaiian as "Le'ahi", Diamond Head Crater is a volcanic tuff cone, created about 300,000 years ago. It is 762 feet high, and was designated as a National Historic Landmark back in 1968. During WWII it housed military, and still a little to this day. Yet you can visit this site, and take a strenuous hike to the bunker at the rim. The amazing part is you enter the crater through a manmade tunnel, 225ft long.

The views from the top over Waikiki to the west and out to Hanauma and Koko Crater to the east, are just magnificent. The ascent is too much for some people. I saw quite a few on my way up, who had bitten off a little more than they were prepared to chew. But if you do make it to the top...woah, its so worth it.

Looking down over Waikiki Beach area from the top of Diamond Head Crater.

Ending the day back down in Waikiki, with another beautiful sunset over the Ala Wai Harbor.

I love this color of the water in Hawaii. This was off the top of the crater rim, looking down.

This was a little tunnel that you walk through on the trail. There is another bigger tunnel that you drive through to get into the crater.

A spiral staircase took us deeper into the bunker near the summit.

I remember back in the old days we could walk out to this pillbox and take a picture from the top...but now it is signed as off limits. Still makes a beautiful picture though.

The pink Royal Hawaiian hotel, one of the oldest on the strip, stands in stark contrast to the other buildings around it. This is the heart of Waikiki Beach, as seen from the top of Diamond Head with 8X zoom.

The Diamond Head lighthouse stands guard at this point of the island.

An early morning surf check reveals beautiful sky colors, and Diamond Head Crater looming in the background as always.

They say life is short, so get out there and experience it.

The trail inside the crater was looking pretty lush, after all the recent rains in Hawaii.

This was a little side trail to a beautiful overlook.

I practically ran down these stairs, as the crater was closing soon.

As always, keep traveling and keep posting
-Dai Mar