Tantalus-Round Top Road, road in Oahu, Hawaii
Tantalus-Round Top Road is about eight miles of winding pavement through the hills above Honolulu, crossing three volcanic cones as it climbs and descends. The route has a gentle grade and is lined with tall trees that provide shade along the entire drive.
Construction began in 1892 and was completed in 1917, with the road initially built as gravel and later paved with asphalt in the 1930s using federal funds. The project reflected efforts by the Hawaiian Kingdom and later American governance to open the mountain areas for settlement and development.
The road takes its name from the two locations it connects, Tantalus and Round Top, reflecting how the landscape shaped local geography and settlement patterns. Visitors today experience how it still serves as a link between the busy city below and the quieter mountain communities above.
The road is generally open year-round but requires careful driving during rain when surfaces become slick. The upper sections near Round Top have small parking areas and viewpoints, while lower sections closer to the city experience more traffic.
The road was the first on Oahu to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009, a recognition that highlights its importance to the islands' history. This achievement marked a shift in how historic roads in Hawaii are valued and protected.
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