Diamond Head National Monument Hike

NOTE: If you are not a Hawaii resident, you must make an online reservation (I recommend looking at the website a few days ahead), and pay $6 to enter, and $10 for parking. If you come in the same car as a resident, you don't have to pay for parking. You choose the date and time you will come when you make the reservation.

Diamond Head National Monument Hike is a strenuous, short hike around many small switchbacks to the top of Diamond Head. Little views along the way give you a peek of what's ahead. But it isn't until you've reached the top that you see why you bothered to get so hot and sweaty to get up here. Sparkling views from Koko Head to Barber's Point, and a cooling much-welcome breeze await you! Bring water or you'll be willing to pay the million dollars for those crystal clear wonderful bottles individuals offer you at the top. Actually, I think the price went up lately- apply for a loan at the summit.
The hike doesn't seem all that hard until you get to the 99 steps. Pass that with a little wind left in you and you reach the tunnel (they tell you to bring a flashlight, but you'd have to have a serious Vitamin A deficiency to not be able to see in there). I might have it in the wrong order- it's all a blur now- but I think at this point you reach some MORE stairs and a spiral staircase where you might need a respirator to get some oxygen if the big-butted guy in front of you doesn't hurry it up so you can get out of there. Then there's a severely low duck- listen to the poor guy's knees crack in front of you- and finally you reach the top! It can be so crowded up there that you can smell the onion-laden dinner that the guy next to you ate last night, but it's all worth it. Aaaah, life isn't that bad after all! The varied colors of the ocean below and the panaromic views of Honolulu are a joy.
The hike takes about thirty minutes each way.
For a wonderful swim after, check out nearby Kahala Beach, secluded Doris Duke Beach, or the popular, perfect waters at Waikiki.

Directions

From Waikiki, drive east down Kalakaua Ave, and turn onto Monsarrat Avenue. Continue for about a mile and then turn right into Diamond Head Crater. Open daily 6am-6pm. Last entry is at 4:30pm.
Non-residents, make an online reservation on this website. 

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