That virgin undertaking at the southeastern-most point of Oahu, and I’m hooked, line, sinker and all! I revel in the crowds and excitement on the trail, and parking is easy with recent improvements by the state. Here’s why this trail holds such a draw. It’s not the Lighthouse, because you only see the picturesque structure crowned in red and the white fence leading up to it from a distance. The hike actually wends it way to the top of a hill, bypassing and rising above the off-limits path to the Lighthouse itself. What’s attractive about the hike is: One, it’s a short ascent, just under a mile. Two, the view at the top is breathtaking, of the scenic shoreline of Makapu’u beach stretching toward the North Shore, of southeastern Oahu including the inside of Koko Crater with its distinctly eroded lip, and of off shore islands, crystal tide pools and waves breaking dramatically against the base of the cliff far below. Three, there’s great fluke-slapping, geyser-spouting, wondrously breeching aquatic giants in them thar waters below. Yes, whales.

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拍攝者： Pevans941