Hiking the Makapuʻu Tom Tom Trail on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
Distance: 2.4 miles / 3.9 km
The Makapuʻu Tom Tom Trail on the east side of Oʻahu is a renowned local favorite because of the beautiful turquoise-blue coastline that parallels the Makapuʻu-Waimānalo stretch of the Koʻolaus and for being the southern terminus for the Koʻolau Summit Trail (KST).
That said, the Makapuʻu Tom Tom Trail is only the first 1.2 miles (1.9 km) of the Koʻolau Summit Trail following Kalanianaʻole Highway, where hikers can either turn back at the end or continue for any number of miles to Pūpūkea on the North Shore of Oʻahu. A few of the most common places to continue onto include Kamehame Ridge, the Pyramid Rock Trail, and the Kuliʻouʻou Ridge Trail.
In any case, the Makapuʻu Tom Tom Trail traverses some of the driest and most exposed miles along the entire 56-mile (90.1 km) KST, which is why I highly recommend hiking in a hooded sun shirt to stay safe on this rocky adventure!
Makapuʻu Tom Tom Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Makapuʻu Tom Tom Trail used to be in the Makapuʻu Lookout parking lot, but signs have been posted enforcing 20 minute parking only.
Today, parking is best along Kalanianaʻole Highway or in the beginning of the Makapuʻu Lighthouse parking lot.
Google Maps Directions: Makapuʻu Tom Tom Trailhead
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 Makapuʻu Tom Tom Trail
The Makapuʻu Tom Tom Trail begins directly across the street from the Makapuʻu Lookout.
The trail may not be very defined at first, but it becomes more obvious toward the fence in the photos below.
I think it’s easiest to hike on the far side of this fence.
After a short distance, the fence will end, and the Tom Tom trail simply continues along the cliffs over Makapuʻu.
There will be more than one area where the trail may not look obvious because of the tall grass, but if it seems too overgrown, turn back because there will always be a clearer path to walk, even if it’s hard to see.
After the first few bigger hills, the trail will eventually drop steeply down to the Tom Tom Puka below, which is the end of the Makapuʻu Tom Tom Trail.
Warning
At this rock formation, it's easiest to stay along the cliffs. However, it's important to note that this is one of the highest exposure sections on the entire hike.
You cannot fall, or it would almost certainly mean death.
Tom-Tom Trail Puka
After only 1.2 miles (1.9 km) from the trailhead, the Makapuʻu Tom Tom Trail ends at the Tom Tom Puka.
That being said, be careful taking photos, as the cliffs drop off steeply through the Puka.
Koʻolau Summit Trail (KST)
While the Tom Tom Trail ends at the famous Puka shown above, the trail along the summit theoretically continues for roughly another 55.0 miles (88.5 km) to Pūpūkea on Oʻahu’s North Shore!
That being said, a much more practical goal would be hiking as far as Kamehame Ridge (Dead Man’s), Kamiloʻiki Ridge, or even as far as Kuliʻouʻou Ridge.
All three are very practical for experienced hikers to complete in a day, with Kuliʻouʻou Ridge being the upper limit that I would recommend to someone if it’s their first time hiking across this section of the Koʻolau Summit.
Read My Separate Post: Koʻolau Summit Trail (KST)
Native Plants on the Tom Tom Trail
Even though the Tom Tom trail climbs steeply up the Koʻolau Summit, it’s still a relatively low-elevation trail for many native Hawaiian plants.
However, there are still a number of them to look out for among the weeds. You can find ʻIlima, ʻIlieʻe, the Hoary Abutilon, Pāʻū o Hiʻiaka, ʻAʻaliʻi, and I even saw one remnant Wiliwili tree. It was kind of sad to see this one Wiliwili barely alive among a sea of weeds, but maybe there are a few more out there.
If you would like to learn more about identifying these and other native Hawaiian plants across the islands, check out my separate post 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.
