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Alternative-Hawaii

ISLAND OF OAHU

THE WINDWARD COAST
DRIVE GUIDE

Lush and green - where the
trade winds blow. Superb beaches,
hidden waterfalls, cultural parks

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Created by: Alternative-Hawaii.com - Oahu Drive Guide for Visitors
  • Approx. 90 miles round-trip from Waikiki.
  • Allow 2.75 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: KUALOA PARK PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: WAIKIKI AT INTERSECTION OF
KALAKAUA & KAPAHULU AVENUES 		 
DIST/TIME: Approx. 25.2 Miles / 45 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign - Kualoa Park (Right Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • From intersection, take Kapahulu Ave. to H-1W
  • Take H-1W & go 2.8 mi. to Exit 21B (61N:Pali)
  • Take Exit 21B onto Hwy 61N & go 7.9 mi. to Hwy 83W (Kamehameha Hwy)
  • Turn Left onto Hwy 83W & go 2.4 mi. to Hwy 63
  • Turn Left onto Hwy 63 & go short way to continuation of Hwy 83W (now called Kahekili Hwy - right side)
  • Turn Right onto Hwy 83W & continue 9.7 mi. to park entrance road (right side)
Spectacular view of Koolau mountains and Mokolii Island (nicknamed "Chinaman's Hat" for its cone shape).

Note: Lifeguards all yr.(winter: wknds only),picnic,restrooms.

Caution: Swim at your own risk - currents, deep holes.




STOP 2: AHUPUAA O KAHANA STATE PARK PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: KUALOA PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 5.3 Miles / 10 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Mile Marker 26 (Right Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Turn Right onto Hwy 83W & go 5 mi. to Ahupuaa O Kahana State Park entrance road (left side)
A "living park" where over 30 families live nurturing and fostering native Hawaiian culture within a tropical rain forest. Unique in all the United States. Hiking trails. Next to Kahana Bay Beach Park - safe swimming all year, beachcombing, view of Huilua fishpond.

Note: Open during daylight hours, orientation center (free hiking maps), crafts instruction, tours of cultural sites, picnic, camping, restrooms. Tel. 237-7766 for tour reservations and information.

Caution: If hiking, be prepared for rain, mud, mosquitoes.




STOP 3: KAMALAMALAMA O KEAO CHURCH PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: KAHANA VALLEY PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 3.8 Miles / 8 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign - Mt. Zion Church (Left Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Turn Left onto Hwy 83W & go 3.7 mi. to pkg. lot for Sacred Falls State Park (left side, before Kamalamalama O Keao Church)
Built in 1932, the little green church next to Sacred Falls Park is the oldest Hawaiian chapel in Windward Oahu - a historic landmark. When the 1946 tsunami struck the Islands, water flowed around the church, destroying homes on each side but leaving the church with little damage.

Note: Sacred Falls State Park is closed indefinitely due to fatal landslides.




STOP 4: POUNDERS BEACH (formerly Pahumoa) PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: SACRED FALLS PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 2.8 Miles / 5 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Parking Lot (Right Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Leave Sacred Falls parking lot
  • Turn Left onto Hwy 83W & go 2.8 mi. to beach pkg. lot (right side - beyond Kokololio Beach)
One of Oahu's most popular bodysurfing beaches.

Note: Picnic, restrooms.

Caution: Swim at your own risk - no lifeguards, heavy surf and dangerous ocean conditions in winter.




STOP 5: POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: POUNDERS BEACH PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 0.6 Mile / 2 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Mile Marker 19 (Right Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Turn Right onto Hwy 83W & go short way (0.5 mi.) to entrance for Polynesian Cultural Center (left side - at Mile Marker 19)
A Hawaiian-style theme park - seven model villages designed to authentically recreate ancient Polynesia.

Note: Entry charge, open Mon.-Sat. 12:00-9:00, tel.293-3333, restaurants, luau, Polynesian revue, gift shops, restrooms.




STOP 6: HAWAII TEMPLE PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 1.2 Miles / 3 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign - Hawaii Temple Visitor Center  
 ROUTE:
  • Turn Left onto Hwy 83W & go short way (0.8 mi.) to Hale Laa Blvd. (left side)
  • Turn Left onto Hale Laa Blvd. & go to pkg. lot
The "Taj Mahal" of the Pacific. An impressive Mormon temple constructed in 1919.

Note: Open daily 9-8, tel. 293-9297, visitor center, restrooms.




STOP 7: MALAEKAHANA BAY PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: HAWAII TEMPLE PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 1.5 Miles / 5 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign - Malaekahana (Right Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Return to Hwy 83
  • Turn Left onto Hwy 83W & go 1 mi. to Malaekahana State Recreation Area entrance road (right side - just beyond bridge, hidden entrance)
Superb, wooded park and white sand beach. Mokuauia (Goat) Island 300 yards offshore contains an Eden-like beach reachable by wading from Kalanai Point.

Note: Tel. 293-1736 for information on camping. Picnic, showers, restrooms.

Caution: No lifeguards - swim at your own risk. Only attempt crossing to/from Goat Island at low tide on calm days (check tide table in daily paper) - wear reef walkers.




STOP 8: KUILIMA COVE PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: MALAEKAHANA BAY PKG. LOT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 5.6 Miles / 10 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign - Turtle Bay Resort (Right Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Turn Right onto Hwy 83W & go 5 mi. to entrance road for Turtle Bay Resort
  • Turn Right onto entrance road & go to public parking lot (on right - just before security gate)
A sandy inlet at the Turtle Bay Resort. One of the nicest swimming/ snorkeling areas on the windward coast.

Note: Food concession, showers, restrooms. The cove is located on right when walking toward hotel.

Caution: No lifeguards - swim at your own risk. Inlet has sharp coral bottom, dangerous current beyond buoys.


END OF DRIVE - RETURN TO WAIKIKI
 83E arrow.gif - 0.06 K 63S arrow.gif - 0.06 K H-1E arrow.gif - 0.06 K EXIT 25A: KING ST.
(44 Mi./ 75 Mins.)

On to North Shore Drive or,

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