Throughout World Struggle II, the U.S. army constructed concrete bunkers all around the island of Oahu as defensive lookout posts guarding Hawaii, and most of them have wonderful views of the shoreline.
These ‘pillboxes’ have been deserted ever for the reason that battle, however they’ve was beloved climbing locations due to the nice surroundings and historical past behind them.
Right here’s my information for the entire pillbox hikes in Oahu, together with some hidden gems!
1. Lanikai / Kailua Pillboxes
The most well-liked pillbox hike in Oahu is unquestionably the one in Lanikai, close to Kailua.
If I had to decide on one hike on this record as my favourite, it might be this one. This hike is brief, straightforward, and extremely lovely. I can’t think about a nicer view for a wartime bunker!
The one draw back is that it’s getting fairly well-known and generally the path is crowded.
Resting on the prime of the pillbox hike
The primary pillbox at Lanikai might be reached in about 15-20 minutes of climbing, and in my view it has the perfect views and picture spots of the entire hike.
It’s a enjoyable place to relax after climbing, and there’s a pleasant ocean breeze so it doesn’t really feel too scorching up there even in the course of the day.
From the primary pillbox at Lanikai, it’s solely a ten minute stroll to succeed in the second pillbox, which is larger.
Views from contained in the second pillbox
Entrance
Inside
The second pillbox really has two separate rooms, and you may go inside both of them by climbing down a set of metallic rungs.
The interiors are crammed with graffiti, and searching the home windows offers one other neat perspective of the skin surroundings.
Simply watch out with small youngsters close to the hatch, as a result of it wouldn’t be a very good place to fall.
A safer, simpler means for teenagers to benefit from the within the Lanikai pillboxes is by climbing via the entrance window as a substitute, though they nonetheless might have a hand.
Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 450 ft (140 m)
Problem: Simple
Learn Extra: Lanikai Pillbox Hike
Lanikai pillbox hike
2. Maili / Pink Pillbox Hike
It is a ridge hike on the west aspect of Oahu with a pink pillbox and panoramic views of the coast all the way in which to Waianae.
There are a bunch of concrete bunkers on the prime of the ridge, and you may stroll inside or climb on prime of them for even higher views of the shoreline.
Pink pillbox hike
It’s not a really laborious hike, however the ridge is a bit steep and there’s no shade on the path, so it will possibly get fairly scorching if you happen to go in the course of the day.
This hike isn’t as crowded because the one at Lanikai, and it’s a very good place to observe the sundown if you happen to don’t thoughts happening when it’s nightfall.
Typically if you happen to’re fortunate, you possibly can even see whales leaping within the distance.
Distance: 1.2 miles (2 km) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 500 ft (150 m)
Problem: Simple / Average
Learn Extra: Pink Pillbox Hike
Contained in the pink pillbox
Drone pic of the pink pillbox. Superb views of the Waianae coast!
3. Ehukai Pillboxes
Also referred to as the ‘peace pillbox’ hike, this can be a good path on the North Shore with views of Ehukai and the coast from above.
There are two concrete World Struggle II pillboxes on this hike. The view on the first one is blocked by bushes, but it surely’s nonetheless enjoyable to stroll contained in the bunker.
From right here, you proceed previous some boulders and down the hill till you attain the second pillbox, which has nice views of the North Shore.
View from the second pillbox at Ehukai
Total, it’s a household pleasant hike with a good quantity of elevation acquire, much like the path at Lanikai, though this one has much more shade because you’re strolling via a forest for many of the hike.
The trailhead is clearly marked and it begins from the car parking zone of Sundown Seashore Elementary Faculty, which is true subsequent to Ehukai Seashore Park.
Distance: 1.5 miles (2.4 km) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 650 ft (200 m)
Problem: Simple
Inside the primary bunker at Ehukai
Banyan bushes within the jungle
4. Diamond Head Hike
The extinct volcanic crater of Diamond Head is one in all Oahu’s most well-known landmarks, and the hike to the highest of the crater can also be widespread.
It is a nice hike for households, and it options some cool WWII bunkers and pillboxes with superior views of the cityscape at Waikiki and Honolulu. It’s a traditional hike.
Throughout the battle, the U.S. Army constructed tunnels and gun emplacements all alongside the sting of the crater for the protection of Honolulu, and you may nonetheless see these and go inside a few of them.
A lot of the path is paved with railings, so it needs to be fairly straightforward for anybody with respectable health, however you’ll wish to deliver a hat and sunscreen since there isn’t a lot shade.
Distance: 1.8 miles (2.9 km) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 500 ft (150 m)
Problem: Simple / Average
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Diamond Head Lookout — a straightforward, household pleasant hike.
5. Koko Head Hike
Koko Head is one other well-known hike in Oahu. It’s a grueling exercise that takes you on a steep railway path up the aspect of a dormant volcano crater.
That’s proper — as a substitute of climbing on rocks or grime, you’ll be strolling on railroad ties with wood steps. It’s a fairly distinctive climbing expertise.
I’ve climbed the Koko stairs many instances over time, and it’s at all times nice enjoyable.
It’s not a harmful hike so long as you’re cautious, but it surely’s an actual health take a look at and is probably not satisfying for everybody.
Koko Crater is an extinct volcano that was used as a radar station in WWII
Hiker on the summit. Superb views!
The railway at Koko Head was constructed by the U.S. Military in 1942 to hold males and provides to a radar station on the prime of the mountain, and you may nonetheless see a few of the outdated bunkers and pillboxes there at this time.
After World Struggle II, it was then used as an air drive station by the USAF beginning in 1947, however with advances in know-how it will definitely grew to become out of date for monitoring plane. The set up was deactivated in 1966, and the U.S. Air Power handed it over to the town of Honolulu.
Within the years since then, the path has change into successful, and as many as 500 to 1,000 folks climb it each day for the thrills, the views, and the free exercise.
Distance: 1.6 miles (2.6 km) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 900 ft (275 m)
Problem: Average / Exhausting
Learn Extra: Koko Head Hike
Previous army pillbox on the prime of Koko Head
6. Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Pillbox
That is one other pillbox hike that’s brief, straightforward, and family-friendly. It’s situated in Kaneohe.
After a quick hike within the jungle, you’ll discover two pillboxes with views of Kaneohe Bay and all the windward aspect of the island. You possibly can even sit and watch the U.S. Marine Corps planes flying out and in of the bottom at MCBH.
It’s not a very talked-about hike in comparison with Lanikai, so that you would possibly even have the place all to your self, like we did!
Distance: 2.3 miles (3.7 km) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 600 ft (180 m)
Problem: Simple
On prime of the pillbox
Funky graffiti inside
View from Pu’u Ma’eli’eli
7. Ka’ena Level Pillbox
The Ka’ena Level hike takes you to the distant western tip of Oahu island, the place there’s a wildlife sanctuary and nice sundown views.
Nonetheless, most individuals who hike to Ka’ena Level do not know there’s additionally a bonus path to an outdated army pillbox on the ridge, with wonderful views of the entire space.
As soon as on the prime of the pillbox, you get to see Ka’ena Level from above, with a pleasant breeze and the sound of sea birds, plus wonderful views of the sundown and whales hopping within the distance.
Sundown on the key pillbox excessive above Ka’ena Level — it doesn’t get significantly better than this!
The aspect path to the Ka’ena Level pillbox is brief, however fairly strenuous. A part of the problem is discovering the trail to the highest of the ridge, as a result of it’s unmarked, rocky, and a bit overgrown.
Here is a map of the place the pillbox aspect path begins. You’ll positively need sneakers for this one, not sandals. Carry a very good headlight too if you happen to go for sundown.
The trouble pays off. This is without doubt one of the finest sundown hikes on Oahu, and to prime it off, we had the place all to ourselves! Most individuals simply hike to Ka’ena Level after which name it a day.
Distance: 6 miles (9.8 km) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 425 ft (130 m)
Problem: Average
Learn Extra: Ka’ena Level Path
8. Makapu’u Pillboxes
Most individuals hike to Makapu’u Level to see the lighthouse and attempt to spot whales breaching within the distance, however if you happen to go off the overwhelmed path, there are additionally a bunch of pillboxes hiding in plain sight.
The primary pillbox is close to the 0.7-mile mark, hiding on a small hill that you just move because the path forks to the Makapu’u tide swimming pools.
As a substitute of happening to the tide swimming pools, climb this little hill and also you’ll discover a pillbox hiding behind it, with good views of the southeastern coast.
First pillbox on the hike
However that’s not all. There are a number of extra pillboxes at Makapu’u if you happen to hold going to the tip.
In a while within the path, when you attain Makapu’u Level, you possibly can go away the pavement and bushwhack as much as the highest of the hill, the place there are 4 pillboxes with panoramic views of Koko Crater within the distance.
The spot is marked as #7 on this AllTrails map if you wish to use it for navigation. Listed below are a few of our photographs from the hike under.
Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 600 ft (180 m)
Problem: Simple / Average
There are 4 hidden pillboxes on the prime of Makapu’u Head
Views of Koko Crater from the final pillbox
9. Crouching Lion Pillboxes
Crouching Lion is one other hike in Oahu that’s identified for its superior surroundings, however only a few folks know there are additionally a few pillboxes there hiding within the jungle.
Regardless that they’re run down and surrounded by foliage, it’s nonetheless an attention-grabbing characteristic of the path. You possibly can stroll inside or climb on prime of them for a pleasant view of Kahana Bay.
This brief little hike is already one of the vital scenic locations on the island, so that you would possibly as nicely see the pillbox when you’re right here!
Distance: 0.5 miles (0.8 km) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 300 ft (90 m)
Problem: Simple / Average
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Good views from one of many Crouching Lion pillboxes
10. Turtle Bay Pillbox
It is a pillbox on the seaside which you can attain by climbing from both Kawela Bay or Ō’owopāla Seashore.
The best technique to get there may be to park and stroll from Kawela Bay Seashore Park. In any other case, if you happen to keep at Turtle Bay Resort and hike from there, it takes about half-hour.
This pillbox isn’t as spectacular as a few of the different hikes on this record, however you possibly can attain it in simply 10 minutes of climbing, and there’s a pleasant banyan tree to see alongside the way in which.
The seaside is surprisingly secluded, and there are good views of the sundown.
Extra World Struggle II Hikes In Oahu
• Haiku Stairs (Stairway To Heaven)
Should you’re on the lookout for extra WWII-related hikes in Oahu, there are a number of you need to learn about. One among these is Hawaii’s most notorious hike: the Haiku Stairs.
Also referred to as the ‘Stairway To Heaven,’ these steep metallic stairs had been constructed on the aspect of a mountain by the U.S. Navy in 1942, together with a radio station and large antenna on the prime of the height that had been used to speak with ships within the Pacific.
The Haiku Stairs had been formally closed within the Eighties, and so they’ve been broken a little bit (and repaired) on and off within the years since then.
The path is hiked by 1000’s of individuals yearly due to its wonderful surroundings, but it surely stays unlawful and its standing remains to be in limbo. The state of Hawaii is afraid of legal responsibility and may’t determine what to do with the steps.
As of 2025, there’s a political battle over the way forward for the steps enjoying out in courtroom. Will it change into a authorized hike sometime?
Distance: 2.3 miles (3.7 km) roundtrip
Elevation Acquire: 2,625 ft (800 m)
Problem: Exhausting
Learn Extra: Stairway To Heaven Hike
The WWII-era ‘Stairway To Heaven‘ is one in all Hawaii’s most notorious hikes
• Battery Cooper Bunker
This one isn’t a hike, but it surely’s nonetheless value seeing! There’s a whole World Struggle II bunker at Kualoa Ranch, and so they allow you to go inside it if you happen to do a tour of the ranch.
The Battery Cooper bunker was in-built 1944 and utilized by the U.S. Military for five years. Its tunnel is 150 ft deep and has a number of rooms, which at the moment are adorned with props from the numerous Hollywood films which were filmed at Kualoa Ranch.
We went right here with a GetYourGuide tour that included a go to to the Jurassic Park and King Kong film websites, and different well-known filming places within the Kualoa valley.
You possibly can e book the identical tour within the hyperlink under!
E book Now: Kualoa Ranch Tour
The bunker entrance at Kualoa Ranch
Contained in the Battery Cooper bunker
Map Of Pillbox Hikes In Oahu
Right here’s a map of all of the World Struggle II pillbox hikes in Oahu.
You possibly can click on the icons to get extra information and instructions for every focal point, however be mindful a few of the places on this map could also be approximate.
For extra detailed info on learn how to discover the precise trailheads, you possibly can take a look at my particular person guides for every hike.
As at all times, please keep in mind to maintain the path clear, be thoughtful of different hikers, and leave no trace. Thanks and blissful travels!
Extra Climbing Guides For Hawaii
Thanks for trying! I hope you loved a few of these enjoyable pillbox hikes in Oahu.
Should you’re planning a visit to Hawaii, don’t neglect to take a look at my different journey guides earlier than you go!
Oahu Accommodations
Greatest Oahu Excursions
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