Many of my friends that travel to Hawaii are snobs, I think. They think of O’ahu as simply an airport as they jet off to Maui or Ha’waii (big island) because it’s “more beautiful”. True, O’ahu is the most urbanized because of Honolulu, but the city is NOT the island.
There are places all over O’ahu that make it seem like Honolulu is a jillion miles away. But one advantage to the City being so close is that these spots are easily accessible, unlike Maui or the other glam islands. These are some of the spots I found by mucking about. In a Roadster.
Tantalus: The drive here is fairly easy. Past the Punchbowl National Cemetery, there’s Tantalus Road. Turn right and go up. Within 3 minutes, the houses will thin out and you’re in rainforest. Within 20 minutes you’re at the summit.
About 2 minutes down, there’s the Puu Ualakaa State Park with a lookout that puts all of Honolulu and a lot of ocean at your feet.
Urban Honolulu with Diamond Head looming in the background
From the right, HNL, Hickam Field and Pearl Harbour
This is the gate to the Puu Ualakaa Park. Please note the sign. What happens after you leave a message?
I hope someone checks the machine…
I also found a lookout that evening near Koko Head near the Portlock, Hawaii Kai area. It’s a cliff that overlooks the ocean that you have to shimmy between two houses and a very steep sandy path gets you here.
If this were in CA, there would be warning signs every 10 feet and a fence.
It’s a little part of O’ahu that’s frequented by locals. Not many tourists come out here, according to a fellow photographer.
Also got photo shoots happening here too.
While I was here watching the sunset, I heard and saw a whale go by, flapping its fin. Cool!
kersploosh
Finally, showtime!
The end to a good day
…a shining house on a hill…
Musings of a Food and Travel Addict