| Diamond Head is Honolulu's landmark of Hawaii, | | | | After you climb a concrete stairway you'll come |
| and probably Hawaii's most recognizable symbol. It | | | | to a 225-foot tunnel that's cut into the |
| dominates southern Oahu and looms over the | | | | mountainside. It's a good place to get out of the |
| beaches of Waikiki. | | | | sun for a few minutes and get ready for the |
| Diamond Head might be just another extinct | | | | next flight of stairs. |
| volcano, but it's also the best place to orient see | | | | On the other side of the tunnel is another flight of |
| the breathtaking landscape of Oahu's southern | | | | steps, slightly longer than the first, but after that |
| reaches. From the top of Diamond Head all of | | | | you're practically there. Actually, the lowest level |
| Honolulu and beyond is laid out for you. The coast, | | | | of the Fire Control Station Diamond Head. Go up |
| the beaches, the other landmarks, like Pearl | | | | the spiral stairs to the top of the station and you |
| Harbor and downtown, the neighborhoods, valleys | | | | can exit to the observation station at the summit |
| and ridges. And because it's so close to Waikiki's | | | | of Diamond Head. Straight ahead is the broad blue |
| hotels, it's a very popular hiking activity. The hike | | | | Pacific, the green slopes of the Koolaus, all of |
| up is less than a mile and takes less than two | | | | Honolulu and beyond, as well as a bird's eye view |
| hours. | | | | of Waikiki. |
| It's all part of Diamond Head State Park and it's | | | | Stay, take lots of pictures, have a light snack and |
| easy to get to. Just take TheBus (#58) from | | | | some water. Re-apply your sunscreen and revel in |
| Waikiki or drive down Kalakaua Avenue to | | | | the moment. After your hour or so hike up, your |
| Monsarrat, by the Honolulu Zoo. This turns into | | | | 30-45 minutes trip down will be much, much |
| Diamond Head Road. Tell the bus driver you'd like | | | | easier. But watch the time: The gates close shut |
| to get off at Diamond Head's entrance. | | | | at 6pm. |
| Go in through the little tunnel entrance. There's a | | | | Diamond Head State Park is open from 6-6 all |
| parking lot, an info center, rest rooms, and a little | | | | year. There's a $1 admission for walk-ins, or $5 |
| kiosk. The trail up brown and dusty Diamond Head | | | | per carload. If you want to try and avoid the tour |
| starts here. | | | | groups, come early in the morning or after one'ish |
| The hike up to the top starts with a walk across | | | | in the afternoon. |
| the floor of the volcano, and then the trail | | | | Bring comfortable walking shoes, water, |
| becomes gradually steeper and rocky, which | | | | sunscreen, a sunhat, a camera and a friend. A |
| winds its way up to the first lookout and half-way | | | | flashlight is handy for the tunnels, and you could |
| point. This might take about 20-30 minutes, and | | | | use a towel to help block the sun, fan yourself, or |
| from here you can see the Windward Coast of | | | | wipe down your face with some cool water. And |
| Oahu. But the best is yet to come. | | | | binoculars would come in really handy. |