Hiking the Kahekili Ridge Trail & Pillbox on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
Distance: 0.8 miles / 1.3 km
The Kahekili Ridge Trail on the east side of Oʻahu is truly just one half—the east half—of the much longer Puʻu Manamana Trail that begins at Crouching Lion and climbs to Hidden Valley before descending down the east side, the Kahekili Ridge side, of the loop.
However, this article is solely about beginning from Kahekili Ridge and hiking the short 0.4-mile (0.6 km) trail to the Kahekili Pillbox above Kaʻaʻawa. I’ve chosen to write this article separately from the Puʻu Manamana Trail, because the Kahekili Pillbox Trail is one of the best sunrise hikes on Oʻahu—especially when compared to the neighboring Crouching Lion Trail, which tends to be much more popular.
However, this is all without saying that Kahekili Ridge, along with Crouching Lion, are really just the footsteps of the much longer Puʻu Manamana Trail that connects the two together. I mention this because everything past the Kahekili Pillbox becomes more challenging and more exposed than everything prior—which is to say, the full loop isn’t meant for all people, of all abilities.
Kahekili Pillbox Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Kahekili Ridge Trail is located at either Swanzy Beach Park or on Huamalani Street, where the trailhead is located.
Personally, I typically park at Swanzy Beach Park to try and help keep this local trail quiet, as negative attention—meaning noise and trash from hikers—does not need to be brought upon this small neighborhood.
Google Maps Directions: Huamalani Street / Swanzy Beach Park
My Hawaiʻi Hiking Checklist
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Kahekili Ridge Trail
The Kahekili Ridge Trail begins at the very end of Huamalani Street at the unmarked trailhead shown below.
This is also the trailhead for Makaua Falls.
Kahekili Ridge-Makaua Falls Junction
Initially, the beginning of the Kahekili Ridge Trail will be flat until the trail comes to this junction shown below.
Here, both the Kahekili Ridge and Makaua Falls Trail split, which is where you want to go left to begin climbing up Kahekili Ridge.
After the split, the trail will begin the steep 400-ft. (122 m) climb up to the ridge crest, where the pillbox is located.
From this sharp switchback on the ridge, the pillbox is less than 0.1 miles (0.2 km) away.
Kahekili Pillbox
In my opinion, the best views—especially for sunrise—are not at the pillbox but above, where the overgrowth clears, and the views to the east really open up!
What is the Puʻu Manamana Trail?
Distance: 5.3 miles / 8.5 km
In short, the Kahekili Pillbox Trail is really only the footstep for the much longer Puʻu Manamana-Kahekili Ridge Loop Trail.
What this means is that the longer 5.3-mile (8.5 km) loop can either begin here on the Crouching Lion side or on the Kahekili Ridge side, located in the more residential part of Kaʻaʻawa.
That being said, don’t let the moderately short 5.3-mile distance influence your perception about how hard the trail is, as Puʻu Manamana is not a beginner hike.
By this, I mean that if you were only prepared to hike to the Kahekili Pillbox, don’t proceed up the ridge. You are not prepared for the longer Puʻu Manamana Loop. Additionally, Puʻu Manamana features numerous high-exposure class 3/ 4 climbs, where a mistake is simply not an option.
I say all this to say, Puʻu Manamana is steeper, it’s more exposed, and the consequences of falling are much greater than the pillbox hike up Kahekili Ridge or Crouching Lion.
If you would like to learn more about the full Puʻu Manamana-Kahekili Ridge Loop, I encourage you to read about the full trail in my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Puʻu Manamana-Kahekili Ridge Loop Trail
Native Plants on the Kahekili Pillbox Trail
For the most part, the Kahekili Ridge Trail is a heavily-invaded trail, with very few native plants until you make it high above the pillbox.
However, there are a few native plants on the lower portions of the Kahekili Ridge Trail, which are ʻUhaloa, Hau, ʻŌhiʻa lehua, and ʻIlima, to name a few.
If you would like to know more about these and tons of other native Hawaiian plants from across the islands, I encourage you to check out my separate post linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide
More Oʻahu Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing Oʻahu adventures, check out my separate posts below!
Best Hotels & Restaurants in Waikīkī
If you’re trying to decided where to stay on Oʻahu, check out my top 10 list for the best resorts and restaurants in Waikīkī.
I break down what makes one hotel a better choice over another, so that you can find the best fit for your stay on the island.
Read My Separate Post: Best Waikīkī Hotels & Restaurants
Waikīkī
HNL Airport-Hotel Shuttle
Prices on ride-share apps like Uber/ Lyft cannot beat the price of booking your hotel shuttle prior to arrival. I say this because there are additional fees for ride-share airport pick-ups at Honolulu Airport (HNL), which is why I recommend booking your transportation in advance using the options below.
Additionally, the last option below will go as far as the Ko ʻOlina Resorts on the West Side and Turtle Bay on Oʻahu’s North Shore!
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Oʻahu
Visiting Other Islands
If you are visiting Oʻahu or heading to another island, check out some of my personal recommendations for Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Molokai, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island) in these separate posts.
If you’re trying to decide which island is right for your visit, check out my overview about each island in the post below.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Hawaiian Island to Visit?
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
The weather in Hawaiʻi can often appear to be warm and beautiful throughout the year, but in my experience, there is a lot more to consider when planning what time of year to visit the islands, such as what island you are considering, what sides of each island do you plan to stay, what activities are you most interested in, the wildlife, and countless other nuanced variables that can all impact the type of trip you can expect to have.
For these reasons, I highly recommend reading through my separate article to not only understand my thoughts regarding the best time of year to come to Hawaiʻi but also what you need to consider based on the time of year that you plan to visit.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
10 Best Tours & Excursions on Oʻahu
There are a lot of different tour options to choose from on Oʻahu, but to make it easier to decide, I made a list of my favorite tours because some things simply are better with a local guide!
Read My Separate Post: Best Tours on Oʻahu
Oʻahu
Safety
All hikes in Hawaiʻi should not be compared to trails outside of the islands, and hikers should exercise due caution on every adventure, given that many are extremely dangerous.
By this, I mean that Hawaiʻi is known for hot, humid weather, steep, dramatic, and unstable cliffs, and flash floods, which can occur without warning. Therefore, it is important that you check the local forecast, understand the physical condition of your entire group, and pack sufficient food and water before attempting any adventure.
Disclaimer
All information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for information or advice from qualified professionals or managing agencies.
Noah Lang Photography LLC makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information provided here, and readers should use their own discretion, judgement, and seek professional advice where it is appropriate.
Furthermore, Noah Lang Photography LLC shall not be held responsible for any injuries, lost individuals, or legal issues arising from the use of information provided on this website, and if applicable, the above safety disclaimer should be referenced to provide a generic overview of the risks involved.
All said, the content on this blog is for the sole use of Noah Lang Photography LLC, and unauthorized use or reproduction of this content is strictly prohibited.
Disclosure
This post is not sponsored.
However, some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission if a purchase is made through one of those links. This commission comes at no additional cost to you, and I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support, which enables me to continue creating more!
To read the full privacy policy, click here.
About This Blog
Noah Lang Photography, also known as @noahawaii, is 100% reader-supported!
I do not accept guest articles or sponsored content of any kind on my blog, which is why, if you enjoy the outdoor and travel content I create, please consider buying me a coffee!
I appreciate your support, which helps me continue to keep this blog alive!
