description Makapuu Point Lighthouse Overview
Makapuu Point Lighthouse, situated on Oahu’s North Shore, stands as the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in Hawaii, guiding mariners with its powerful light since 1909 and offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
help Makapuu Point Lighthouse FAQ
Where is the Makapuu Point Lighthouse located on Oahu?
The Makapuu Point Lighthouse sits on the easternmost point of Oahu, Hawaii—on the southeastern shore, not the North Shore—overlooking the Kaiwi Channel between Oahu and Molokai. It is accessible via the Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail off Kalanianaole Highway.
Can you hike to the Makapuu Point Lighthouse?
The Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail is a paved, roughly two-mile round-trip path that climbs the ridge above the lighthouse. While the trail brings you to an overlook near the tower, the lighthouse structure itself is not open for interior tours.
When was the Makapuu Point Lighthouse built?
The lighthouse was completed in 1909 and is notable for housing the largest hyper-radiant Fresnel lens in the United States. It was automated in 1974 and continues to operate as an active navigational aid maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard.
What can you see from the Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail?
On clear days, hikers can see the neighboring islands of Molokai and Lanai across the Kaiwi Channel, plus the Waimanalo coastline and Sea Life Park below. The area is also a well-known whale-watching spot during the winter months, when humpback whales migrate through Hawaiian waters.
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