Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP OF CHAPTER
Hawaiʻi Kai
POP 29,875
With its yacht-filled marina and canals surrounded by mountains and beaches, this metic-
ulously planned Honolulu suburb designed by late steel tycoon Henry J Kaiser (he's the
Kai in Hawaiʻi Kai) is a nouveau-riche scene. All of the action revolves around shopping
centers off the Kalanianaʻole Hwy (Hwy 72). If you're driving, it's a convenient pit stop
for a bite to eat or sunset drinks.
Activities
Kuliʻouʻou Ridge Trail
HIKING, MOUNTAIN BIKING
The mountains of the Koʻolau Range make an enchanting backdrop for Hawaiʻi Kai.
Northwest of the marina, this 5-mile round-trip trail is open to hikers and mountain
bikers. After winding upward on forested switchbacks, you'll make a stiff but satisfying
ascent along a ridgeline to a windy summit for heart-stopping 360-degree views.
From the summit, you can spy Koko Head, Makapuʻu Point, the Windward Coast,
Diamond Head and Honolulu. The trail, which may be partly overgrown with vegetation,
starts from the brown-and-yellow Na Ala Hele trailhead sign at the end of Kalaʻau Pl,
which branches right off Kuliʻouʻou Rd, about a mile
mauka
(inland) from the Kalani-
anaʻole Hwy (Hwy 72).
H
₂₂
0 Sports Hawaii
WATER SPORTS
MAP
marina is flush with tour operators and watersports outfitters that can hook you up with
jet packs, water skis, banana boats, bumper tubes, parasailing trips, wakeboarding, scuba
dives, speed sailing - whatever gets your adrenaline pumping. Just be prepared to pay
plenty; check online for advance booking discounts.
Island Divers
DIVING, SNORKELING
MAP
(
www.oahuscubadiving.com
;
Hawaiʻi Kai Shopping Center, 377 Keahole St)
Friendly, five-star
PADI operation offers boat dives ($85 to $175 per person) for all skill levels, including
expert-level wreck dives. If you're a novice, staff can show you the ropes and take you to
