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Ehukai Pillbox Hike
Located within the North Shore Region on Oahu
Guide Snapshot
A quick fit check before you commit to this trail.
Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
1.5 miles out and back
Estimated time
1.5-2.5 hours
Elevation & terrain
Steep start to pillboxes
Family fit
Older kids only
Highlights
North Shore · Pillbox · Short
North Shore Oahu Hike
Best Hiking Trails on Oahu
Ehukai Pillbox Hike
For a breathtaking view of Oahu’s North Shore and the Seven Mile Miracle, you’ll want to take the Ehukai Pillbox Hike. This trail is just a mile and a half there and back and takes about an hour to 90 minutes.
However, this is not for the weak of heart, knees or those with any other physical challenge. Severe inclines are endured for at least 20 minutes, although the first stretch is balanced by shade. Much of the trail, however, is sunny so you’ll want to plan your trip for earlier in the day or later in the afternoon. Avoid heading out beyond 5 pm or you might find yourself hiking back in the dark.
Trail day tools
Before you drive to the trailhead, check the trail and weather layer.
Hawaii hikes can change quickly with closures, rain, mud, heat, and daylight.
Following 20 minutes of challenging terrain at the start, it does even out and provide a picnic table to catch your breath. You can enjoy views of the North Shore from here. True to its name the trail features a number of “pillboxes.” The pillboxes are artifacts from World War II, used as military bunkers to help watch for enemy activity. They were positioned in ideal spots throughout the island for clear views that are unmatched. You can stand on top of the pillbox to get the best view of coastline including Banzai Pipeline and Sunset Beach.
The trailhead is about an hour from Waikiki since it is on the other side of the island. It is best reached along Kamehameha Highway, where you can fight for a roadside parking spot, or head to the Sunset Beach Neighborhood Park’s public parking lot. The trail is marked with a bright orange sign that reads “Mahalo!” near Sunset Beach Elementary.
Founder & certified Hawai'i travel expert with 20+ years in Hawai'i tourism, University of South Carolina climate-research training, and NOAA weather-station experience.
Trades are breezy right now with scattered showers on the windward side and mountains; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Tomorrow stays breezy with the same pattern.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is still uncertain. If it comes closer, expect heavier rain over a longer stretch; if it stays farther out, impacts will be shorter and lighter. Winds will increase late this week, with potential gusts over 70 miles per hour on the highest summits.
Plan your leeward beach time and snorkeling for today through Tuesday. Save summit drives and offshore water sports for after Saturday, and check updates daily as this develops.
0:000:53
Voice
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Trade winds are pushing across Maui right now and staying breezy through tomorrow. Windward slopes and peaks will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. Rough seas mean a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain. Late this week, winds will increase across Maui, with summit gusts potentially exceeding 70 mph on Haleakala. The Big Island—especially Hilo and Puna—faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding if the storm tracks close.
Leeward beaches and snorkeling work best today through Tuesday. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday.
0:000:55
Voice
Read the transcript
Trades are kicking today with moderate wind and rough seas. Windward slopes will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain, but the Big Island faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding, especially in the Hilo and Puna areas. Summit winds could exceed 70 mph late in the week. Check forecasts daily as the situation develops.
Leeward snorkeling and beach time work well through Tuesday. Save summit drives and windward hikes for today or tomorrow, and avoid offshore water sports and high elevations Thursday through Saturday.
0:000:58
Voice
Read the transcript
Trades are steady now with scattered showers on the windward side and ridges; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Through Tuesday it stays breezy with rough seas around Maui and the Big Island, where a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is uncertain. Winds will increase across the eastern islands late this week, with potential for summit gusts over 70 mph on Maui and the Big Island if the storm intensifies.
Get your beach and snorkel time in today and tomorrow on the leeward coast. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday as conditions deteriorate. The track could shift significantly—check updates daily.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
