O’ahu is split down the middle by two mountain ridges. The graceful and wet Ko’olau Mountains to the East, and the jagged formations of the Wai’anae Range to the West. The Wai’anae Coast forms a dark and tight ribbon which stretches for miles to the end of the earth. Well, Ka’ena Point. The end of the island.

Ka’ena Point is the western tip of O’ahu. It’s stark and bare. The point is NOT accessible by vehicle. Get your Nike’s warmed up, Mildred. We’re going for a walk.

The highway that’ll get you most of the way there also parallels the Wai’anae Coast, along Makaha Beach, Nanakuli, and other delightfully “local” locations. But the road doesn’t get you to the end of the earth. Well, the end of the island.

Ka’ena Point offers you one of the most stunning sunsets you’ll find in the islands. The two mile walk from the end of the road won’t take that long. There might be company. There might be only birds.

Ancient Hawaiian legends say that the large rock just off the point is actually a piece of the island of Kaua’i. Somehow, the demigod Maui broke it off while trying to unite the two islands.

It’ll take a very clear day to view Kaua’i from Ka’ena point. It’s just to the North. However, the point, isolated and bare, is not without it’s own natural beauty. On a good day you may see rare monk seals, green sea turtles, and humpback whales noisily rising from the ocean depths just off shore.

Bring your camera (it’d get stolen if you left it in the car anyway).

Oh, did I mention the waves? Some of the Hawaii’s largest waves can be see on this part of the island. You won’t find many surfers there as the waves tend to pound the rocky shoreline rather than form beautiful surfing pipes.

Ka’ena Point can also be reached by the North Side of the Wai’anae mountain range; drive past Mokule’ia, park at the end of the road. Then take a hike. Literally.

Unfortunately, the two roads don’t connect. The tip of the island does. Not many folks have a photograph of the rocks, ocean, birds, and wildlife of Ka’ena Point.

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