Diamond Head State Monument

Diamond Head State Monument is one of O’ahu’s most iconic landmarks. It was apparent that the locals cherish it. The hike here is one of the most recommended on the island for its panoramic views and the fact that you’re climbing out of a crater. We embarked on it early one morning, snagging the 6 a.m. time slot, the earliest they had. It is quite a steep hike so this proved to be a good time before it got too toasty outside. The trail begins paved, moves into some uneven terrain, and then you climb the stairs. After one big set of stairs, the trail went straight into a tunnel which had us feeling a little claustrophobic but we emerged into the open air pretty quickly. The tunnel was a neat feature of the hike regardless! Once we reached the last set of stairs, it got pretty crowded but everyone was respectful of letting each other get their turn at the top where there were beautiful ocean, mountain, and city views. Once at the top, there is also a bunker from World War 1 that can be explored. This was a busy hike but it was a nice way to start the day, get some awesome views, and feel a little more connected to the island. Keep in mind that you will need a reservation to do the hike if you’re not a resident of Hawai’i. Do note that the early time slot we got was one of the only ones not sold out and it was still quite busy. 

We recommend grabbing matcha and musubi from As You Like to refuel afterwards!