Kaena Point is known in Hawaiian legends as the place where souls depart to heaven.
It is an untouched wilderness spot where you can meet endangered Hawaiian monk seals and wild albatrosses.
To protect the natural environment, cars are prohibited, and there are no paved roads!
Because of this, it is quite difficult to reach, but the nature is so rich that it has become a popular trekking course among locals as well.
It is accessible from both the North Shore and the West Coast, and it is about a 10-kilometer round trip whether you start from Mokuleia Beach Park on the North Shore or Yokohama Bay on the West Coast.
Generally, the route from the West Coast is popular because it is easy to drive to the end of the paved road and the scenery is dynamic.
It preserves the most ancient Hawaii in the islands, so it is highly recommended for those looking for a rare and unique place.
The Path to Kaena Point
Although Kaena Point has some rugged rocky paths of solidified lava and places where you have to go up and down along the way, it is basically a flat path all the way.
Even though it is not paved, it is a very easy path to walk, taking about 2 to 3 hours round trip at an adult’s walking pace.
If it is raining, the path gets quite muddy, which slightly increases the difficulty level.
You need to be fully prepared with comfortable walking shoes, a hat to block the sun, sunscreen, and plenty of water.
Furthermore, since this area has the worst security regarding car break-ins, be sure never to leave valuables in your car!
Kaena Point is a Seabird Sanctuary
As you approach the tip of the West Coast, a habitat for albatrosses spreads out before you.
The entire area is surrounded by a fence to prevent wild animals from entering.
Humans are allowed to enter through the gate.
The area inside the fence is the place called Kaena Point, and you can observe albatrosses throughout the year.
Among those times, the nesting season is around November to July, and if it is between November and April, there is a high chance of seeing whales, so it is a spot recommended to visit in winter rather than the hot summer.
You can see plenty of adorable sights of albatrosses raising their chicks.
Hawaiian Monk Seals at Kaena Point
On the beaches of Kaena Point, you can encounter the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, of which there are only about 1,400 left in the world, with a high probability.
About 400 of them live around the main eight islands, including Oahu, but because the population is so small, they are not easy to come across.
However, Hawaiian monk seals truly come to this Kaena Point very often.
In my own experience, I have been able to encounter them almost every time I visit Kaena Point.
By the way, Hawaiian monk seals are nocturnal, so they spend the night in the ocean and sleep on the beach during the day.
Their sleeping faces are very soothing, so when you walk for over an hour and finally meet a Hawaiian monk seal, all your fatigue is blown away. Haha.
However, there is a law that requires you to observe them from a distance of at least 15 meters (about 45 meters if you have children with you), so be careful to keep your distance!
Also Check Out the Kaena Point Pillbox
After finishing your walk at Kaena Point, this is the first scenery you see as you begin the long journey back.
You might also want to see the view looking down at the ocean from the top of this mountain!
Actually, this is also one of the sightseeing spots, the Kaena Point Pillbox.
If you still have energy after walking about an hour one way, please give it a try.
It is about a 30-minute hike one way, climbing up from the entrance gate of Kaena Point.
Furthermore, we have introduced the Kaena Point Pillbox in a separate article, so please check it out if you need more information.
Basic Information of Kaena Point
| Name | Kaena Point |
| Address | 1249 Farrington Hwy, Waialua, HI 96791 |
| Map | |
| Business Hours | 24 hours (*The gate on the Yokohama Bay side closes at sunset) |
| Closed | None |
| Required Time | About 2 hours and up |
| Restrooms | None (The restroom at Yokohama Bay is the last one) |
| Parking | Available (Free) |
| URL | Official Website |
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