Pillbox trekking in Hawaii is a highly recommended activity where you can work up a refreshing sweat!
Every location offers spectacular scenery and is incredibly popular for taking perfect, photogenic pictures.
In this article, the tour guides from Aloalo Travel introduce 5 popular pillboxes in Hawaii that we highly recommend.
We will cover everything from spots trending in the media to hidden gems known only to Hawaii locals!
We have selected the absolute best hikes among the many pillboxes available, so please use this as a reference for your trip to Hawaii.
Ehukai Pillbox
The Ehukai Pillbox is the North Shore’s premier scenic trail.
Also known as the "Sunset Pillbox," it is a popular spot renowned for its beautiful sunsets!
Since it is a relatively gentle trekking course, it is safe for hiking beginners and serves as a walking path for locals as well as tourists.
By the way, Ehukai Beach is located right in front of the Ehukai Pillbox, and this is the surf point known as Pipeline.
It is one of the world’s leading surfing beaches, so please enjoy both the beach and the pillbox.
Complete Route Guide to Ehukai Pillbox
Basically, it is a single path and a relatively easy pillbox hike, but because you proceed through the forest, people occasionally get lost.
If you go off-route, it can be difficult to get back, and visibility becomes poor when the sun goes down, which is very dangerous.
Therefore, I would like to explain everything about the Ehukai Pillbox in detail, along with points of caution!
To convey the difficulty of the trek, we had a guest act as a tour model for this guide.
The entrance is next to the parking lot of Sunset Beach Elementary School, located right in front of Pipeline (Ehukai Beach).
It is generally an easy-to-climb hiking course, but there are rocky areas and tree roots that can cause tripping, so try to wear comfortable walking shoes like sneakers!
Especially on rainy days or days when the ground is muddy, sandals can be quite slippery, so please be careful.
First, enter the entrance and walk on flat ground through the forest for 2 to 3 minutes.
Since it is a single path, just keep moving along the trail!
Once the path opens up, it becomes a gentle uphill slope.
Recently, more people ride mountain bikes around here, so you might see animal trails or bike tracks, but do not enter the bushes; keep moving on the dirt path.
If you get lost, remember that the pillbox is on the left side (ocean side), so always choose the "left path."
It is a gentle trail course, so when the slope gets a little steep, they have installed stairs like this.
From here on, gentle areas do not have stairs, but you will climb stairs in areas with a certain degree of incline.
If you are climbing a quite steep slope without stairs, you may have wandered onto the wrong path, so you should turn back.
After climbing slopes and stairs for about 15 minutes, you will find a bench for resting.
Once you reach this point, you are almost there, and the uphill climb is nearly over.
Past the bench, the uphill path disappears, and a flat path continues.
The shade of the trees, the wind, and the sound of the ocean feel very pleasant!
Walk on the flat road for about 10 minutes, and you will finally arrive at the pillbox.
The average time required to get here is about 30 minutes.
After your effort, the best view from the pillbox awaits you!
There is colorful graffiti inside the pillbox, and the roof has a bench that is perfect for sitting.
During the winter season (around September to March), there is a high probability of seeing big waves, so it might be nice to take a break while watching surfers from a distance.
Actually, if you walk for another 10 minutes from this pillbox, there is a second pillbox.
When you leave the first pillbox, to your right is a "large path gently climbing to the right," and to your left is a "path along the cliff with bushes on both sides."
Proceed to the left again, take the "path along the cliff with bushes on both sides," and it continues to a "rocky area descending where there seems to be no path."
The correct course is not the clean path climbing to the right, but the one going down the rocks along the coast!
If you reach the first pillbox and feel like you can still keep going, please try visiting the second one.
This is the second pillbox.
The first pillbox is higher in elevation, but the second pillbox has a more open view and is a scenic spot where you can overlook the surroundings.
The sunset is particularly beautiful in this area, so watching it from the top of the pillbox is also great!
However, once the sun sets, it gets quite dark in the forest and the path becomes hard to see, so please descend early and carefully.
There have been cases where people got lost in the dark and rescue teams or helicopters had to be deployed for searches, so even though it is a simple trail, never underestimate it!
Kaena Point Pillbox
The Kaena Point Pillbox is a hidden trail located at Kaena Point.
It is a scenic hidden pillbox at the westernmost tip of Oahu!
Because the area is protected as an albatross sanctuary, there are no roads for about 5 kilometers one way, and it takes about 1 to 1.5 hours one way just to reach the foot of the pillbox.
However, since you can enjoy the spectacular scenery of the coast and mountains the whole time, you can walk pleasantly except during the height of summer.
This is a recommended spot for those who love Hawaii’s nature!
Views from Kaena Point Pillbox
Walking along the gate at the entrance of the seabird sanctuary, there is a climbing path to the pillbox.
The slope is steep, but you can actually climb it in about 20 minutes!
There is actually another pillbox, and if you climb further up for about 10 minutes, you will arrive at the second pillbox.
It is a bit hard, but the view from the second pillbox is highly recommended as it offers a panoramic view of both the West Coast and the North Shore of Oahu.
In the case of the second one, it takes practically 30 minutes one way from the gate!
However, aside from the pillbox climb, you have to walk back for an hour one way, so please do not overexert yourself.
Since Kaena Point itself protrudes into the ocean, you can enjoy a panoramic view of more than 180 degrees with nothing blocking your sight.
It is truly a full-day course with about 3 hours round trip to Kaena Point, about 1 hour for the pillbox, and about 1 hour for breaks, but I think it is well worth going!
Check out Kaena Point Too
Most people who visit the Kaena Point Pillbox also visit Kaena Point.
You can enjoy rare sights such as the endangered Hawaiian monk seal and albatrosses raising their chicks.
Please stop by while taking a break from the pillbox exploration.
Note that Kaena Point is introduced in a separate article, so please check it if necessary.
Pink Pillbox (Puu O Hulu)
The Pink Pillbox is a scenic spot overlooking the beautiful coast of Oahu’s West Coast.
It is a very popular trail known as one of the best Instagram spots in Hawaii.
It is a cute pink pillbox standing on top of a steep cliff. In Hawaiian, it is called "Puu O Hulu," and its official name in English is "Maili Pillbox."
There are many pillboxes in Hawaii, and they were all vantage points used as lookout posts during the war!
By the way, this Pink Pillbox is pink because it was painted for the "Pink Ribbon Movement" for breast cancer awareness.
Compared to other pillboxes on Oahu, the elevation is higher and it is slightly more difficult, but you will see a spectacular view worth the effort, so please try your best to climb it.
There are 4 Pillboxes in Total
Actually, there are 4 pillboxes in total, and the Pink Pillbox is the third one.
Please spend your time in various ways, such as taking photos at each pillbox or lying down where there is space.
It is cool inside the pillbox, making it perfect for a break, and the view from the window looks like a painting, offering a different impression.
If you climb the hill slightly away from the building and take a picture with the sea and sky in the background, the contrast between pink and blue is very lovely!
Dolphins sometimes appear near Maili Beach Park at the foot of the mountain, so if you look at the sea, you might see them swimming in a pod.
Pink Pillbox: Caution Points and How to Climb
You can take photogenic pictures, the pillbox is cute, and you can get a good workout, making the Pink Pillbox a perfect tourist spot.
However, there are some points of caution regarding the area.
First, the area around here does not have very good security.
If you look at the road near the trailhead, there are always glass fragments scattered from car break-ins.
If you visit by rental car, there is a high probability of becoming a target for car break-ins, so be absolutely sure not to leave any valuables in the car!
Rental cars often have barcodes attached, so they are easily identified.
There are few people around, and once you start climbing, you won’t come down for a while, and it is a place where no one spends money, so it is an environment very prone to theft.
Also, although the trail course is not a steep slope, the ground can be slippery on rainy days, and there are rugged rocks.
Try to wear proper shoes instead of beach sandals when climbing!
There have been people in the past who actually slipped and broke bones.
The climb takes about 35 minutes and the descent about 25 minutes, but since it is a route where you keep climbing the mountain, it might be a bit hard for those without much stamina.
Occasionally some people experience symptoms of anemia, so be sure to bring water!
Also, it is recommended to avoid midday hours and climb in the morning or around evening.
Puu Maelieli Pillbox
Puu Maelieli Pillbox is a hidden scenic spot in Hawaii.
Because it overlooks the Kaneohe Sandbar, it is also called "Kaneohe Pillbox" or "Sandbar Pillbox."
The greatest feature is the overwhelming panoramic view that stretches more than 180 degrees, allowing you to see not only the Sandbar but also Kualoa and Lanikai!
Compared to other pillboxes, the trail is a bit longer, and there are steep slopes and muddy areas, so the difficulty level might be slightly higher.
However, the scenery is moving and cannot be fully conveyed in photos, so I personally highly recommend this pillbox.
Points of Caution for Visiting Puu Maelieli Pillbox
Although Puu Maelieli Pillbox is recommended for its overwhelming view, it is located in a place that is difficult to access, and since there are hardly any people, it is a spot where the location is very hard to understand.
You access it from a small path near the woods by walking from the "Koolau Center," which is across the road from the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park where the "Byodo-In Temple" is located.
Unlike other pillboxes, non-slip shoes are essential, not sandals!
Also, since you proceed through the forest, mosquito repellent spray is essential.
There are no public facilities such as toilets or water fountains, so bring drinks and towels.
The Course of Puu Maelieli Pillbox
The distance is the longest compared to Lanikai Pillbox (Kaiva Ridge Trail) on the East Coast, Pink Pillbox (Maili Pillbox) on the West Coast, and Ehukai Pillbox on the North Shore.
The time required is about 45 minutes to go and 35 minutes to return, making it a round trip of a little less than 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Children can walk it, but caution is necessary as there are places where trees act like obstacles.
Anyway, the most troublesome thing is that since it is an area with a lot of rain, the steep slope near the entrance is damp all day long, making it muddy and very slippery.
Even trekking shoes will slip, so it is recommended to use a wooden stick as a cane to proceed.
Lanikai Trail (Lanikai Pillbox)
Lanikai Trail is the most popular scenic pillbox in Hawaii, overlooking the heavenly sea.
It is the spot that sparked the pillbox boom, becoming popular for its view of the No. 1 beach in the US!
By the way, Lanikai Trail is a common name, and the official name is "Kaiva Ridge Trail."
It is often referred to generally as the Pillbox Hike, and it is a hiking course favored by locals as well.
It is a tourist spot where you can feel Hawaii with your whole body, so please stop by when you come to play at Kailua Beach or Lanikai Beach.
There are 2 Pillboxes on Lanikai Trail
There are actually two pillboxes, and although both are at about the same elevation, the view changes!
If you go to the second pillbox, you can see the twin islands (Mokulua Islands) in front of you, so it is recommended to visit both.
The recommended time to reach the summit is definitely sunrise!
Depending on the season, the sun rises between the twin islands, creating a very mystical atmosphere.
Photos taken sitting on the corner of the pillbox are always great for Instagram!
Lanikai Trail Duration and Difficulty
The Lanikai Trail has some steep slopes, but basically, it is a pillbox hike that is not too difficult.
It is a course of about 30 minutes up and 20 minutes down!
It is not impossible to climb in sandals, but when it rains, it gets quite slippery, and some places are quite sharp, so trekking shoes are recommended.
The place where you start climbing is the most difficult, so please climb with sufficient caution at the beginning.
It is more slippery when going down, so if you feel scared, it is safe to descend while braking by walking sideways like a crab!
How to Access Lanikai Trail
The trailhead for Lanikai Trail is in a slightly confusing location, so I would like to explain a simple route starting from Kailua Town!
There are mainly 4 ways to get there: on foot, by bus, by Uber, or by bicycle.
It takes about 45 minutes one way on foot, about 15 minutes by electric bike, about 20 minutes by pedal bike, and about 10 minutes by bus or Uber.
On Foot or Bicycle
Kailua Road -> Turn left at the junction with Wanaao Road and head north -> Turn right when you hit Kailua Beach -> Proceed along Alala Road and take the road to the right (Aalapapa Drive) at the junction where the Lanikai Monument is -> Turn right at the crossroad (Kaelepulu Drive) after proceeding for a while -> You will see a golf course on the right and a sign indicating the trail entrance on the left -> That is the entrance to the Lanikai Trail!
If you are on a bicycle, there is bicycle parking on the golf course side, so park your bicycle there!
By TheBus
Take the bus number 671 from the bus stop in front of Kailua Shopping Center, and you will arrive at the nearest bus stop (Aalapapa Dr + Kaelepulu Dr) in about 10 minutes.
After getting off, walk towards the mountain for about 5 minutes to reach the Lanikai Trail!
By Uber
This is the easiest way; just enter "Lanikai Trail" as the destination in the app!
It automatically calculates the shortest route from your location when you launch the app and also calculates the fare.
Once the vehicle arrives, you will arrive at the Lanikai Trail in about 10 minutes.