Hiking Koko Crater

On the southeast tip of Oahu you’ll find a place not mentioned in any of the Oahu tour guides. We would have missed it completely if we didn’t notice while driving along the very scenic Route 72 this very unusual, very straight LINE that went right up the side of a volcanic hill. Too perfectly straight to be natural, it followed a ridge line on the hill to the summit. And could that possibly be people we see climbing this thing?

When we returned home later to our hosts Laura & Dan, they told us this was Koko Crater, and what we saw was the remains of a World War II cable-pulled railroad that brought people and supplies to the summit, where a small lookout post was constructed.

Today, the railroad cars are gone, and the cable lies rusting along the slowly rotting wooden ties. But the site remains vibrant as a wonderfully unique hiking trail to a summit that provides a panoramic 360 degree view of the southeast tip of Oahu.

Intrigued, the next day we returned with hiking gear and lots of bottled water to attempt the summit!


Here’s the trailhead at the very bottom. Note the cable lying off to the right, and the VERY steep peak up ahead!

What you can’t see is the sign post which stands at the trailhead with its sign removed. Perhaps it contained some useful information, or maybe it just plain said, “Danger!”


Exhausted but elated, we arrive at the summit!

In the background are hills surrounding Hanauma Bay nature preserve.

Looking back towards the west now, the town below us is Hawaii Kai, and Hawaii Kai Bay. Note in the extreme distance the high-rise towers of Waikiki.

Leeza ponders the meaning of life at the summit!

Or maybe what we need to pick up at the supermarket on the way home ;-)

Here I am, standing on the highest point of the summit – the rooftop of the original WWII facility.

Going Down! This picture, taken from the very top step looking straight down, gives you a good feel for the height and steepness of the trail.










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