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Pu'u Ma'eli'eli Trail (Kane'ohe Bay Pillbox)
Located within the East Region on Oahu
Guide Snapshot
A quick fit check before you commit to this trail.
Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
About 2.2 miles
Estimated time
1-2 hours
Elevation & terrain
Forest climb to pillbox views
Family fit
Good for active kids
Highlights
Kaneohe Bay · Pillbox · Short
East Oahu Hiking Trails
Best Hiking Trails on Oahu
Pu'u Ma'eli'eli Trail
This trail is also known as the Kaneohe Bay Pillbox trail and is considered easy enough for beginners. However, it might be better suited to those with a little more stamina as there are some steep inclines to contend with. It takes between one to two hours to complete the 2.2-mile journey and is pleasant to travel as it is not overly crowded. It is about 40 minutes from Waikiki to the trailhead at 279 Kahekili Hwy. It is near enough Koolau Shopping Center across from the Valley of the Temples that you can park there and walk to the end of the guardrail along the highway to find the trailhead.
This is an excellent option as it is a shorter hike that gives you excellent views of the windward side of the island. It does take some effort and can be slippery with mud following rain. While much of the trail is through a forested area, you will get peeks at the views and come across some lookout points overlooking K-Bay. Your goal is to reach the pillbox to get the full expanse of the bay below. The pillbox is one of many small bunkers/lookouts built by the military in World War II. The pillboxes have the best views on the island.
You’ll also have a perfect view of the Ko'olau Mountain Range before the trail heads into the trees that take you to the pillbox. Any of the steep areas have a rope to hold onto. Watch for the sign called "Digging Hill," and you’ll just be a few minutes from the pillbox. Take your time to look at the stunning expanse of the windward coast where you’ll spot Mokoli'i Island, K-Bay and its many sandbars. If you plan it right, you can also take in the colorful glow of early evening over the Ko'olau Mountains.
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.
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.
Dry conditions on Oʻahu today, with breezy wind in exposed areas. Drier weather continues through Wednesday as moisture clears out.
A medium-sized northwest swell will bring elevated surf to north and west-facing shores tonight through Sunday morning—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. Winds remain breezy through Sunday, easing slightly Monday and Tuesday before picking up again Wednesday. A Small Craft Advisory is active through Monday morning for most coastal waters due to wind and sea state. Scattered showers arrive Thursday into Friday.
South and west shore beaches work well through Sunday for calmer conditions. North shore is worth watching tonight and Sunday morning if you're drawn to bigger waves.
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Skies are drying out across Maui today through Wednesday as moisture clears. Winds will be noticeably breezy, especially in exposed and terrain-favored spots.
North and west-facing shores will see elevated surf tonight into Sunday morning as a medium-sized northwest swell moves in—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for coastal waters due to wind and sea conditions. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then strengthen again Wednesday. The next chance of scattered showers arrives Thursday through Friday.
If you're heading to the beach, south and west shores are your best bet through Sunday. North shore is worth watching tonight and Sunday morning if you're into bigger waves.
0:000:53
Voice
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Mostly clear and dry today on the Big Island, with noticeably breezy winds in exposed areas and terrain-favored spots. That breeze continues through Sunday.
North and west-facing shores will see elevated surf tonight into Sunday morning as a medium-sized northwest swell arrives—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. South shores stay small. A Small Craft Advisory covers most coastal waters through Monday morning due to wind and sea conditions. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then pick up again Wednesday. Scattered showers arrive statewide Thursday to Friday.
Head to the south and west shores for beach and snorkeling through Sunday. If bigger waves interest you, the north shore has surf to watch tonight into Sunday morning.
0:000:49
Voice
Read the transcript
Drier air is moving in through Wednesday. Winds will be noticeably breezy, especially in exposed areas.
Tonight into Sunday morning, a medium-sized northwest swell will push elevated surf onto the north and west shores—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for coastal waters due to wind and sea state. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then pick up again Wednesday. Scattered showers arrive Thursday or Friday.
Hit the south and west shores for swimming and snorkeling through Sunday. If you want to watch big waves, the north shore is worth a look tonight into Sunday morning.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
