The hike up the Haiku Stairs, aka Stairway to Heaven, is one of the most beautiful hikes on the island. While officially off-limits, this windward trail is accessible to anyone willing to arrive before the guard shows up around 6:30am. Five of us got up at 5:00am and took to the trail on a cool, windy Thursday morning and over the next 1.5 hours, made our way up the all-metal staircase that drapes... 

People who have lived in Hawaii for their whole lives have never heard of this secret hike along the Hanauma Bay Ridge.  I had personally been to Hanauma Bay six times and had never heard anyone talk about it nor saw anyone up there.  I stumbled upon this hike when a coworker of mine mentioned he saw people walking along the ridge above Hanauma Bay the last time he went snorkeling there, and after... 

Overview: Fairly short, uncrowded hike Amazing ocean views Prime whale viewing during November – March Getting there Well off the beaten path on the eastern edge of Oahu, is a one hour hike that is a real thigh burner but rewards you with amazing panoramic views from the top. If you didn’t see the cars parked at the base of this foothill, you wouldn’t even know there was a hiking... 

Overview: Moderate to Advanced Hike Time: 1-2 hours Getting there Strenuous hike, but great views make it worth it Koko Head Crater is another ancient extinct volcano, just like the nearby Haunauma Bay, dating back thousands of years.  It’s peak reaches up to just over 1,200 feet, and you will feel every inch of that as your legs burn while you hike straight up to it’s tallest point.... 

Overview: Great local beach to watch body surfers on some huge waves Getting there Accessible by bus or car You can’t beat Sandy’s Beach for seeing big waves up close and personal. Sandy’s has what is known as a shore break, which means that big powerful waves pound the shoreline in shallow water, just feet from where you are standing. This is great if you want to snap a few...