This is an overall view of the lighthouse and the peak of the trail. We hiked to the top, but the lighthouse itself is off limits to visitors. It's still in use, although now fully automated and unmanned.

The trail, actually a wide paved path, is an easy but long climb. We're about a third of the way up in this picture. Those are the cars in the parking lot below with Makapu'u Beach through that gap in the distance.

The trees and shrubs along the trail are interesting, but most unusual were these Brazilian Cardinals. They seemed unusual to us, but are fairly common in the islands. We saw more on all three islands we visited.

About half way to the top you can see this view of the lighthouse. That white fence is along the path that Coast Guard workers use to get to it. We walked to the path, but there's a big fence, locked gate and warning sign.

As we approached the top remnants of the World War II military installation came into view. That's a spotters post in the upper left with a concrete water tank lower right. The concrete posts lower left are the mount for an anti-aircraft gun. The operation was manned by the Coast Guard.

Now almost at the top, we could see the lighthouse from above. From along here we thought we could see whales farther out. But it was to far for a picture and I'm really not sure if they were whales or just big waves breaking.

Finally the top at that railed area. The pillars are from another WW II gun mount.

And from the top Makapu'u Bay comes into view. The beach here is popular with body surfers. Full sized surf boards aren't allowed. We drove here after our hike and that's where I took the top picture on this page.

One more picture from this adventure. This is called Rabbit Island and the view is from the beach park at Makapu'u Bay. No surfers in the water, but there was a guy playing his ukulele and singing at the picnic table next to us.

We got back to Honolulu about mid afternoon and after 'freshening up' at the hotel we walked down to Waikiki Beach. This is the view of Diamond Head from the beach, much like you see one travel brochures.

A professional sand castle builder had crafted this work of art. He had a 'tip jar' near it. I'd guess it was his way of making a living.

While most of the hotels are not on the beach, a few do have choice waterfrontage, with prices to match. The pink one in the distance is the Royal Hawaiian, one of the top places to stay.

Waikiki Beach is synonymous with surfing and this is a statue of the founder of surfing in Hawaii, Duke Kahanamoku. It's a tradition to honor him by placing lei's at or on the statue.