Most island residents love playing tourist. They'll grab the kama'aina rate and spend a weekend in one of Waikiki's swank resorts, go island hopping, hit the occasional luau and visit the big attractions, especially the Polynesian Cultural Center and Sea Life Park. Just one of the many perks that comes with living in paradise.
Among these is the Diamond Head hike. Hiking around the islands is not exclusively a tourist activity, per se, but Diamond Head belongs to the "things tourists do" club — witnessed by a steady stream of buses and trolleys ferrying people from Waikiki. You won't see that traffic at any other hike. The mile-long trail is easy, the visual payoff is phenomenal: unobstructed panoramas of the ocean, mountains and Oahu's south shore.
I usually get a hike in on the weekends, and recently it hit me: I don't remember the last time I did Diamond Head. I have a faded photo on my refrigerator of me and friends from the Mainland taken at the peak — must've been eight years ago. And the mountain is maybe five miles from where I live. And it's a fun trail: it winds in and out of old tunnels and concrete bunkers, part of the island's coastal defense system built more than 100 years ago. (Photo: Summit view of Kapiolani Park and Waikiki. Credit: 3D Travel.)
Yep, time to play tourist.
A friend and I hit it on a recent Sunday. If you go on the weekend, prepare for serious crowds — you're litterally jockeying for space along the dirt-path switchbacks and on the viewing platforms. On the plus side, it's great for people watching and we heard maybe half a dozen languages spoken along the way.
There's nothing more I can say about that magnificent view that the video (top) doesn't make obvious, but it definitely reminded me of a popular refrain among island residents:
"Lucky we live Hawaii."
DETAILS The trail is open daily (including holidays) from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. It's almost always hot and sunny at Diamond Head. Wear sunscreen and protective gear and bring water. Because it's so short, you likely won't need snacks to power you there... but it fueled our post-hike sushi fest.
It's $5 to park on the crater floor or $1 per person if you hike in. Or you can get round-trip transportation, admission and a guided tour on our Diamond Head Crater Adventure.
I usually get a hike in on the weekends, and recently it hit me: I don't remember the last time I did Diamond Head.