HeritagePhoto Wikimedia CommonsDiamond Head State Monument
Hawaii · United States
The first lookout we visit is an elevated view perched on the eastern side of Waikiki’s famous Diamond Head Volcano, This lookout grants us a great opportunity for pictures of the south eastern coastline of Oahu, with notable sights as far as Hanauma bay and Maui on a clear day. The location is more formally known as Amelia Earhart Lookout, known for where bystanders gathered to watch Earhart make her first solo aviation journey from Hawaii to North America.
Contents
10 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Diamond Head State Monument
Welcome to the awe-inspiring crater floor of the Diamond Head State Monument, one of the most iconic geological and historical landmarks on the island of Oahu. As you stand here amidst the surprisingly dry brush and radiant…
Listen in the app2The Trailhead and Paved Walkway
As we commence our journey from the bustling visitor center area, take a moment to ensure you are fully prepared for the ascent. The radiant Hawaiian sun beats down intensely upon this landscape, making adequate hydration…
Listen in the app3The Volcanic Switchbacks
We have now reached the section of the trail defined by its rigorous switchbacks. The path zigzags sharply up the steep interior slope of the crater, forcing us to gain significant elevation in a very short horizontal distance. …
Listen in the app4The First Stairway
The winding dirt path abruptly ends, and we are now faced with the first monumental architectural challenge of the Diamond Head hike. Standing before us is a daunting, sheer staircase consisting of seventy four steep concrete…
Listen in the app5The Historic Military Tunnel
Leaving the blinding Hawaiian sunlight behind, we step directly into the gaping mouth of a narrow tunnel bored straight through the solid rock of the crater wall. The transition is instantaneous and profound. …
Listen in the app6The Ninety-Nine Steps
Emerging from the cool shadows of the long tunnel, your eyes wince against the sudden return of the bright Hawaiian sunlight. However, any sense of relief is immediately halted by the imposing structure that stands directly in…
Listen in the app7The Fire Control Station
We have successfully breached the entrance to the lowest level of the historic fire control station. This concrete bunker, built directly into the highest point of the crater rim, served as the literal eyes of the coastal defense…
Listen in the app8The Summit Observation Post
Emerging through the narrow opening of the bunker lid, we are instantly greeted by an overwhelming rush of sensory experiences. The relentless Hawaiian sun embraces us once more, but up here, it is accompanied by the powerful,…
Listen in the app9The Descent and Metal Steps
Having absorbed the magnificent, sweeping vistas from the summit of Diamond Head, we now turn our attention to the descent. Instead of plunging back down through the dark confines of the fire control station bunker, we will…
Listen in the app10Closing
Our boots finally strike the smooth, level concrete of the crater floor, bringing our one point five mile round trip hike to an official close. The radiant heat of the arid interior surrounds us once again, a stark contrast to…
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What is Diamond Head State Monument?
Diamond Head State Monument is a place in Hawaii · United States with 10 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Hawaii · United States |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 10 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 21.2631, -157.8041 |
| Last updated |
