Don’t Miss Oahu’s Windward Coast!

A first trip to Hawaii should include Oahu, the Gathering Place, if only to see iconic Diamond Head and Waikiki; perhaps that’s why it’s the most visited of the Hawaiian Islands.

But there’s so much more! Rent a car or take one of many tours around the island, to get a closeup of Oahu’s rugged coastline.

We’ve visited Oahu many times and never get tired of it. On our last trip, we took the loop around the southeastern (windward) side of the island, from Waikiki, past Diamond Head, up to Makapu’u Head and to Waimanalo.

The views were spectacular.

We stopped at Halona Overlook and Blowhole, where you can look down upon Halona Cove, a private little beauty of a beach that featured prominently in a movie deep in the last century, From Here to Eternity.

We didn’t swim, but we did enjoy the crashing waves and Blowhole nearby, which can shoot water high into the sky. It wasn’t very active when we were there but here it is anyway.

That’s Sandy Beach in the distance, where only experienced swimmers should try bodysurfing.

Next was Makapu’u Overlook, with offshore islands in the distance and information about the Sanctuary for Humpback Whales. Humpbacks are in Hawaii from November to April, same time as I’d like to be there.

In the distance is Makapu’u Beach, another one enjoyed mostly by locals, who can handle the pounding waves.

Soon we arrived at the small town of Waimanalo, ready for lunch.

According to the guidebook, Oahu Revealed, ” After Makapu’u you’re driving through Hawaiian Homelands and the town of Waimanalo. In 1920 the government set aside over 200,000 acres of land to be used only by people of Hawaiian descent. Waimanalo is such a place.”

The town was chill and authentic. We ate at Hawaiian Island Cafe and it was simple, and delicious. My two eggs were cooked perfectly and served over rice, with sausage, a side of fresh spinach with sweet dressing, and bread. The iced tea I ordered was ready to go by the time I left; they made it from scratch, on Island time. (I’d love to go back again for dinner, maybe next time. Check out the menu above.)

The town was all beach on one side with the dramatic Ko’olau Mountain Range on the other. Here’s a picture of those mountains from our visit to Kualoa Ranch, which I’ll save for a later post.

~ Susanne