Five Sunrise Hikes on Oʻahu Worth the Early Alarm
From the paved Makapuʻu lighthouse path to the Koko Crater stairs — five sunrise-facing hikes compared, with honest notes on difficulty and access.
Region guide
Windward Oʻahu
Kailua, Lanikai, Kāneʻohe Bay and the green Koʻolau cliffs.
Windward Oʻahu: Kailua and Lanikai beaches, Kāneʻohe Bay, the Byodo-In Temple and the dramatic green Koʻolau cliffs.
Getting thereAbout 25–40 minutes via the Pali Hwy or H-3
Good for
Don’t miss
- Kailua BeachLong, soft-sand beach with a beach park, restrooms and kayak launches.
- LanikaiResidential neighborhood with narrow public beach paths. Parking is very limited — park legally in Kailua and walk.
- Byodo-In TempleA replica of Kyoto’s Byōdō-in temple in the Valley of the Temples; small admission fee.
- Nuʻuanu Pali LookoutWindy cliffside viewpoint on the Pali Highway; non-resident parking fee.
- Kualoa & MokoliʻiClassic roadside views of the islet and cliffs on the way up the coast.
Hours, fees and reservation rules change. Confirm with the official site before you go.
Latest Windward Oʻahu guides
Place guides
Lanikai Beach: Parking, Sunrise and How to Visit Respectfully
How to visit Lanikai without the parking headaches — access paths, sunrise views and safety notes.