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While staying in Waikiki, I took a little road trip and explored the northern side of the island. Over here you’ll find the beautiful natural wonderland of Ka’ena Point State Park.
Reaching the “end of the road,” there’s a pretty secluded and quiet area on Oahu. I saw wildlife, rocky beaches, and a little cave.
So buckle up, and I’ll share what to know when visiting, information on getting there, what to see, and tips.
Getting to Ka’ena Point State Park
I traveled the H1 until it turned into Route 93, and stayed on that road until it eventually ended.
You’ll see signs that you’ve come to a dead end. Areas will be blocked off to vehicles.
Let’s say we got to Ka’ena Point by running into it. You’ll find it by traveling as north and west as you can in Oahu until the road ends.
It’s located in Honolulu County, and you’ll need a car. I don’t know of any shuttles that go there.
You could take public transportation to a nearby stop, but then you’ll have a long walk the rest of the way.
Visiting Ka’ena Point State Park
The state park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and it’s totally free to visit.
This is a secluded area that leads to the natural area reserve and is made up of two sections.
You have the Mokule’ia Section, which is a part of the north shore. This area is rocky with sand dunes, and swimming is at your own risk.
Then you have the Keawa’ula Section, which is the west side of Oahu. You might find people surfing over here.
I saw a few things while exploring the area. It was quiet, calm, and refreshing.
Beautiful Beaches
Stopping to walk along the water was a good idea. As far as wildlife, I saw many birds, but you can find turtles, seals, dolphins, and whales in the Pacific.
There’s a vast stretch of sandy beaches and rocky areas. Beautiful views and fresh Pacific air whipped around.
A couple of people wandered around, and some people fished.
With the waters crashing against the blackened lava rocks, it was peaceful. I could have sat here all day and taken it in.
Ka’ena Point Trail
The Ka’ena Point Trail is one I’ll have to return to hike. I passed it, but didn’t have a chance to try it.
I heard that it was a pretty adventurous one! It follows an old railroad bed and dirt road. It runs 2.5 miles with scenic coastline views.
Finding Kaneana Cave
While driving around, you might find the cave.
There were no signs, so you’ll have to look out.
It was on the side of the road before reaching the beach area, and I saw people looking around.
From traveling, I know to look for the signs of a point of interest. When we see other people looking around with their mouths open, something’s up.
You can park across the street in a small parking area. Be sure to lock your car.
Then, I crossed the street and walked past the barrier. The big opening to the cave is hard to miss.
Exploring Kaneana Cave
I don’t know if you’d say I explored Kaneana Cave. Let’s just say I walked around inside.
Like all caves, you’ll need to be careful with your footing because of the water and rocks. I didn’t go far because I wore regular sneakers that day.
Some people went further in and explored the top. They were climbing the rocks above.
I don’t know how safe that is, especially in regular street shoes. But it didn’t seem to go too far back.
As water dripped from the ceiling, it felt cold inside. The cave blocked me from the wind gusts outside.
It’s a small cave that’s thousands of years old, but full of history.
Travel Notes
This area is a historic sacred land and a wilderness sanctuary. As with visiting any place in Hawaii, you’ll want to respect it by leaving it the way you found it.
When driving around the area, some places were blocked off. You’ll want to heed the no trespassing signs.
Because it’s a secluded area, you won’t find many people crowding around. So if you want to explore without all the tourists, this is a nice, quiet escape.
To drive past the gated areas, you need to have a recreation pass on your vehicle. It’s not a 4-wheelin’ adventure area.
Overall
Finding Ka’ena Point State Park was one of the highlights of exploring Oahu. It’s a wonderful place to relax and enjoy beautiful nature.
I plan to go back and do some hiking and wandering around. It’s worth the drive, and I’m hoping to discover more caves the next time I go.
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