Makapuu Point Light

Makapuu Point Light is a brick lighthouse positioned on the southeastern tip of Oahu with a distinctive red roof overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The structure rises about 14 meters and marks a prominent spot along the coastline with views of open water.

The lighthouse was built in 1909 to assist ships with navigation and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. This recognition honored its importance to Hawaii's maritime history and its role in keeping vessels safe at sea.

The lighthouse stands as a symbol of Oahu's maritime traditions and has been part of the island's seafaring identity for generations. Visitors can sense the connection between this structure and the waters it has watched over for so long.

The trail to reach the lighthouse covers about 3 kilometers round trip and requires decent physical conditioning due to the uphill sections. Bring water and sun protection since there is little shade along the way and the sun is strong at this elevated location.

The lighthouse contains one of the largest Fresnel lenses in the United States, standing about 4 meters tall and composed of hundreds of individual prisms. This lens was for decades the heart of the navigation system, allowing light to beam across vast distances at sea.

Location: Hawaii

Inception: 1909

Height: 14 m

Made from material: brick

GPS coordinates: 21.31472,-157.65250

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:01