Adventure travel seekers…

Here’s an aloha adventure travel combo on O’ahu for you.

Recently, I ventured off my small-town feel island of Kauai to the big city of Honolulu for a business trip mixed with pleasure. As a local author, I attended the TEDxHNL event at the University of Hawaii. After which, it was time to indulge in some pleasure: sunbathing at Makahas with mimosas and an sunset stroll along Waikiki Beach with Diamondhead in the distance. However, no trip is complete without the needed a dose of adventure. With my PIC (Partner In Crime), we headed to Kailua for an adventure travel combo of kayaking and hiking.

The below itinerary, we did in a matter of a expedited four hours, not including getting in and out of Honolulu (#3 worst traffic in the USA!). I’d recommend penciling in a full-day.

Kayak to the Mokes and Hike Pillboxes Trail

1) Rent tandem kayak at Kailua Beach Adventures along with dry bag (good for your camera and picnic lunch), life vests, and a mandatory permit (except Sundays) to land on the Mokes.

2) Transfer kayak on wheels to ocean and paddle on a guided course provided by Kailua Beach Adventure via video.

(**You can take guided tours. We opted to do it solo as we are experienced kayakers: Napali Coast, Kipu Kai, Wailua, and more.)

3) Travel along Lanikai Beach and turn towards Mokes at a large pile of sandbags at the end of the beach.

4) Avoid the reef and two merging waves coming from around the Mokes.

Adventure_Travel_to_Mokes_Oahu

5) Beach kayak and enjoy a picnic with a spectacular view.

Kayak_to_Mokes_Adventure_Travel_Oahu

6) Return back the same way you came and refuel your tank.

(**Roundtrip: 2-3 hours depending on winds.)

7) Drive to Pillboxes Trailhead – Kaelepulu Drive.

(** Parking is limited and on-street in residential area. Be smart and carpool.)

8) Walk to 1st pillbox (old bunker) or 2nd pillbox.

(**Roundtrip to 2nd pillbox 45 minutes to an hour)

Adventure_Travel_Oahu_Hiking_Pillboxes

9) Enjoy the view of Kailua, the Mokes, and Lanikai Beach.

10) Commit to repeat on next visit.

As always, stay up-to-date on more adventure travel stories and tips from Hawaii and more destinations by connecting with me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube. If you are looking for a powerful story and book, check out my memoir, When All Balls Drop, and its sequel, With New Eyes (due out in September).

Here’s to more good times and good stories.

0 Responses

  1. By far, this is my favorite combo adventure on O’ahu that is close to HNL. We do something similar on Kauai on the Wailua River and hiking to Secret Falls.