Diamond Head Crater & Lighthouse

[ √ ] Diamond Head Crater 

Welcome to the historic site of Le'ahi summit, also known as Diamond Head Crater.

Yesterday I hiked...

Little bit of early history:  It's given the name Le'ahi because the summit resembles  the forehead (lae) of the 'ahi fish.  And, in the late 1700s, Western explorers visited Le'ahi and mistook the calcite crystals in the rocks on the slope of the crater as diamonds.  Thus, the name Diamond Head.

The very top of that left peak is where I will be hiking!  An 0.8 mile hike that will ascend me 560 ft.

Here's a map of the hike I'll be taking.  

So let's get going!

After hiking up a switchback trail, I've made it to a Lookout point (it's about halfway up).  And man, what a view!

Here I am at the Lookout point :)

Yeah, that's right!  I just walked up that CRAZY steep set of 99 stairs!  It was ridiculous, but I made it! lol

I am at the top!  What a glorious view!

This is looking north from the top of Diamond Head is the crater

Looking east from the top is the view to Koko Head

Beautiful ocean and waves seen from the south east

To the south is the Diamond Head Lighthouse which you'll see more pictures of at the end of the post

And to the west, Andra and a view of Waikiki...

This I thought was really neat.  Gives you a bit of perspective of where I am located :)

After that long, hot hike up, I treated myself to a delicious Strawberry, Pineapple, Coconut Shaved Ice.  YUM!

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While I was at the top of Diamond Head, enjoying the glorious view, I decided that next I'd go check out the lighthouse.  As many of you know, I am a HUGE fan of lighthouses.  Makes sense, my husband is in the Navy and I'm all for things that help bring him home safely to me :)

More early history:  Le'ahi can also be translated to "fire headland" or "wreath of fire".  This name reflects the ancient Hawaiian tradition of lighting fires on the crest of the volcano to guide canoes back to the island.

I didn't realize that the lighthouse is not really accessible.  It was kind of a bummer, but I think I still got some cool shots! 

Another hike!  This one was unexpected.  While I was standing on the street taking pictures of the lighthouse, I saw many surfers going down to the beach.  I thought I'd go down as well and see if I could get a better angle of the lighthouse.  

On my way to the lighthouse I got pleasantly unexpected surprise!  A real live Hawaiian Monk Seal!  (ilio holo i ka uaua in Hawaiian)  Just napping lazily on the beach!  It was so cute!  And I was so amazed so see it!!!

I was so grateful that I stopped by to see the lighthouse (even though I was tired from my hike...and even MORE tired from my lighthouse hike) because it was a spectacular day at the beach!  

The sun was shining, the waves were crashing, the cool wind blowing...

Just beautiful!

Well, hope you enjoyed the hike up Diamond Head and the Lighthouse!  Mahalo!