Diamond Head, the iconic landmark of the Hawaiian islands, is more than a distinctive volcanic tuff cone. It’s also a neighborhood that encompasses the 300-acre lush green Kapiolani Regional Park at the edge of Waikiki and miles of coastline dotted with beaches and pocket parks.
Hawaiians believe Diamond Head is a manifestation of Pele, the goddess of fire, volcanoes, and creation. They also believe it is a source of spiritual power and place where ancestors can communicate with the gods. It’s a sacred place where Hawaiians offer gifts to the gods.
Known as Leahi in Hawaiian, the name may describe the promontory (lea) that resembles the dorsal fin of tuna (ahi). British sailors mistook the sparkling calcite crystals for diamonds, leading to the current name.
Diamond Head Reservation was established as a fort by the United States government in 1906 and renamed Fort Ruger in 1909 for the purpose of defending its newly annexed territory.
Kapiolani Park was originally a popular horse racing site, established by King Kalakaua in the 1870s.
If you’re staying in Waikiki or Diamond Head, there are a number of walks of varying intensity, ranging from short strolls to the longest, tracing a circle around the base and including a trek to the top.
My version of the Coast Walk covers a route from Kaimana/Sans Souci Beach heading south toward Kahala. Several small parks offer access to the ocean. This route starts at Kaimana/Sans Souci Beach and ends at the Amelia Earhart Memorial (2.8 miles round trip; out-and-back).
Start on Kalakaua Avenue at Sans Souci Beachand walk south through the historic homes of Gold Coast. Turn left on Coconut Ave. Turn right on Diamond Head Avenue and keep going past a series of pocket parks to the barely recognizable Amelia Earhart Monument (see photo at the end).
To continue the walk around the base of Diamond Head (5-mile loop), continue curving around the mountain on Diamond Head Avenue to the visitor entrance to the Diamond Head State Monument (note that at Fort Ruger Park, you’ll need to turn left to stay on Diamond Head Ave). You can walk up to a lookout at the entrance to the tunnel into Diamond Head State Monument without reservations. At this point, you can turn back and return the way you came or continue all the way around Diamond Head to return to Kapiolani Park.
Reservations are not required for most of the walks listed here, but if you want to climb Diamond Head, you’ll need one. You’ll need a reservation to enter Diamond Head State Monument by vehicle or foot–get them from the Hawaii Division of State Parks.
Connector between Makalai Beach Park & Leahi Beach Park (Inga Aksamit)
Steps to the ocean between Makalai Beach Park & Leahi Beach Park (Inga Aksamit)
Head down Beach Road to Kamasutra Beach Park (Inga Aksamit)
Diamond Head Lighthouse (Inga Aksamit)
Diamond Head Lighthouse (Inga Aksamit)
Kuilei Cliffs Beach Park gets a lot of love from volunteers (Inga Aksamit)
Kuilei Cliffs Beach Park (Inga Aksamit)
Kuilei Cliffs Beach Park (Inga Aksamit)
Kuilei Cliffs Beach Park (Inga Aksamit)
Kuilei Cliffs Beach Park (Inga Aksamit)
Kuilei Cliffs Beach Park (Inga Aksamit)
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