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Alternative-Hawaii

ISLAND OF OAHU

PEARL HARBOR / LEEWARD
DRIVE GUIDE

Oahu's Laid-back West Shore
(The Undeveloped Coast)
National Shrines, Hawaiian Temples,
Secluded Beaches

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Created by: Alternative-Hawaii.com
  • Approx. 98 miles round-trip from Start of Drive (Waikiki at Kalakaua & Kapahulu Avenues).
  • Allow 3 hours round-trip driving time excluding time spent at each "stop".
  • For safety, please observe Cautionary Notes.
  • Set Odometer to Zero between "stops" below.
  • Do not leave valuables in vehicle or unattended.
(Click on PHOTOGRAPH to view Stop on Tour.)

STOP 1: USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL PHOTOGRAPH
START: WAIKIKI AT INTERSECTION OF KALAKAUA & KAPAHULU AVENUES  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 12.6 Miles / 25 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Signs-USS Arizona Memorial  
 ROUTE:
  • From intersection, take Kapahulu Ave. to H-1W
  • Take H-1W & go 9.3 mi. to Exit 15A (99W:Arizona Memorial/Stadium-right side). When approaching Exit 19B, stay to right as highway divides & H-1W continues through on right.
  • Take Exit 15A onto Hwy 99W & go 1.5 mi. to USS Arizona pkg. lot (left side-just beyond Halawa Dr.)
A national shrine to honor those who died in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 Dec. 1941. Memorial structure spans the mid-portion of the sunken battleship.

Note:
Open daily 7:30-5, handicapped access, tel.422-0561 (recording) or 422-2771, shoreside visitor center, waterfront exhibits, museum, bookstore, snack bar, restrooms. Between 8 a.m.-3 p.m. daily, the National Park Service provides a free 75 min. program consisting of a historical film and boat shuttle to the Memorial. Program starts every 15 mins. on first come/first served basis (weather permitting). The battleship USS Missouri (Mighty Mo), a registered national historic landmark, is berthed at nearby Ford Island.

Caution: Average program wait of 1 hour (longer if busy period). Security measures prohibit purses, handbags, fanny packs, backpacks, camera bags, diaper bags, luggage and/or other items that offer concealment. A storage facility is provided for a fee of $2.00 per item. Items accepted are carry-on size or smaller (30”H x 30”W x 18”D). Large luggage will not be accepted. Do not leave valuables in your car.




STOP 2: KANEAKI HEIAU PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: USS ARIZONA PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 28.9 Miles / 50 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Makaha Marketplace (Right Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Turn Left onto Hwy 99W & go 4.7 mi. to H-1W
  • Take H-1W (which becomes Hwy 93) & go 21.6 mi. to Makaha Valley Rd. (right side-by Makaha Marketplace)
  • Turn Right onto Makaha Valley Rd. & go 1.3 mi. to Huipu Dr. (at entrance to Makaha resort). En route, keep to left at fork in road.
  • Turn Right onto Huipu Dr. & go short way to Mauna Olu St.
  • Turn Right onto Mauna Olu St. & go short way to entrance gate-continue beyond gate to Alahele St.
  • Turn Left onto Alahele St. & go to heiau pkg. lot
A well-preserved 17th century Hawaiian temple dedicated to Lono, god of harvest and fertility. A human sacrificial site.

Note: Open 10-2 (closed Mon.), tel.695-8174

Caution: Heiau is on private property-stay on route. Please don't disturb this sacred site-help preserve Hawaii's past for the future. Don't disturb the peacocks!




STOP 3: YOKOHAMA BAY PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: KANEAKI HEIAU PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 8.3 Miles / 15 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Entrance Gate (End of Hwy 93)  
 ROUTE:
  • Return to Huipu Dr. (beyond entrance gate)
  • Turn Right onto Huipu Dr. & go short way to Kili Dr. (at stop sign by Makaha Valley Towers)
  • Turn Left onto Kili Dr. & go 1.2 mi. to Hwy 93
  • Turn Right onto Hwy 93 & go 5.6 mi. to bay entrance gate (end of Hwy 93)
Secluded, white sand beach. Surfing spot for experts only. Hike to Kaena Point, Oahu's westernmost tip.

Note: Lifeguards all year, restrooms.

Caution: Do not swim-dangerous all year. Hike is approx. 2.7 mi./90 min. one-way; take water, stay on trail. You cannot drive to Kaena Point.




STOP 4: KANEANA CAVE PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: YOKOHAMA BAY ENTRANCE  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 2.2 Miles / 3 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Cave Marker Stone (Right Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Return on Hwy 93 & go 2.2 mi. to wide dirt roadside parking (right side-cave is across road)
A 450 foot long lava cavern - legendary home of Nanaue, a son of the shark god.

Caution: Explore at your own risk.




STOP 5: MAKAHA BEACH PARK PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: KANEANA CAVE PARKING  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 3.2 Miles / 5 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Roadside Parking (Right Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Continue on Hwy 93 & go 3.2 mi. to roadside pkg.

A mecca for board surfers and the site of international board surfing competitions. Waves up to 25 feet in the winter. Swimming, snorkeling in summer only.

Note: Lifeguards all year, showers, restrooms.

Caution: Swim at your own risk-dangerous in winter.





STOP 6: POKAI BAY BEACH PARK PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: MAKAHA BEACH PARKING  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 3.5 Miles / 7 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign-Waianae Valley Road  
 ROUTE:
  • Continue on Hwy 93 & go 3.4 mi. to Waianae Valley Rd. (traffic light)
  • Turn Right onto Waianae Valley Rd. & go short way to pkg. lot
The safest swimming beach on the leeward coast.

Note: Lifeguards all year, picnic, showers, restrooms.

 

STOP 7: KO OLINA LAGOONS PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: POKAI BAY PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 9.5 Miles / 16 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign-Ko Olina Resort (Right Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Return on Waianae Valley Rd. to Hwy 93
  • Turn Right onto Hwy 93 & go 8.4 mi. to Ko Olina Resort Exit (right side)
  • Take Ko Olina Exit & go short way to security gate
  • Take Aliinui Dr. & go short way (0.5 mi.) to Kamoana Place
  • Turn Right onto Kamoana Pl. & go short way to public pkg. lot (left of visitor center)
Oahu's most picturesque lagoons-the crown jewels of the Ko Olina Resort. Great snorkeling, shoreline walkway.

Note: Lifeguards all year, showers, restrooms.

Caution: No diving, strong current in middle channel.


END OF DRIVE-RETURN TO WAIKIKI
H-1EEXIT 25A:KING ST.
(30.2 Mi./45 Mins.)

On to Diamond Head / Southeast Coast or,

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