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The Lanikai pillbox hike in Hawaii is one of the best hikes in Oahu, and it’s also great for sunrise or sunset.
This is a quick, challenging (but still family friendly) hike with a lot of ‘bang for your buck.’ It’s on the windward side of Oahu island, near the town of Kailua, and it features some old World War II bunkers and amazing ocean views.
The Lanikai pillbox trail has become popular to do as a sunrise hike, since it’s short and you get stunning views of the sun rising over the sea and the Mokulua islands in the distance.
This travel guide will explain how to get to Lanikai pillbox hike, along with other information like trail distance, cost, parking, sunrise tips, and everything else you need to know before you go!
Quick Stats*
- Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: 400 feet (120 m)
- Duration: 45 – 60 mins roundtrip
- Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
*These stats are for the Lanikai pillbox hike only. The full Kaiwa ridge trail is longer.
Lanikai Pillboxes Trail: What To Expect
The Lanikai pillbox trail takes you on a dirt path up a ridge until you reach some old World War II-era concrete bunkers with panoramic views.
Once you’re on the trail, you can’t really get lost. Just follow the wide dirt path and the other hikers. There’s very little shade, so a hat and sunscreen can be helpful.
The dirt trail has lots of sand and loose rocks that can be slippery, especially on the way down. It can get muddy and slippery after a big rain, so you’ll want to keep an eye on weather conditions before the hike.
Lanikai Pillbox Hike Distance
The hike is very short (you can reach the top in 15 minutes if you rush), but it’s an uphill ankle killer and a bit strenuous, so it feels longer. Bring water!
Trail Safety
There’s plenty of room on this trail for kids, but make sure to steer clear of the edges because the drop-offs are pretty significant later in the hike.
I’ve done the trail in sandals many times (including in the dark for sunrise), so it’s not exactly treacherous, but hiking shoes are a much better option if you have them.
Lanikai Pillbox #1
One of the best features of this hike would have to be the two concrete bunkers (dubbed ‘pillboxes’) at the top of the ridge, which you can sit on to enjoy the scenery.
These pillboxes were built all over the island of Oahu as lookout posts by the U.S. military during World War II, and the ones on this hike still give some truly amazing views.
The first Lanikai pillbox can be reached in about 15-20 minutes of hiking, and in my opinion it’s the best vantage point (and photo spot) of the whole hike.
It’s a fun place to chill after the hike, and there’s a nice ocean breeze so it doesn’t feel too hot up there even in the middle of the day.
From the first pillbox, you can already see the second one just a short distance away, so don’t be afraid to keep going!
Lanikai Pillbox #2
From the first pillbox at Lanikai, it’s only a 10 minute walk to reach the second pillbox.
The second pillbox actually has two separate rooms, and you can go inside either of them by climbing down a set of metal rungs. The insides are filled with graffiti, and the windows give another neat perspective of the outside scenery.
Just be careful with small kids near the hatch, because it wouldn’t be a good place to fall. A safer, easier way for kids to enjoy the inside of the pillboxes is by climbing through the front window instead, although they still may need a hand.
Kaiwa Ridge
After reaching the second pillbox, most people turn around and hike back down the same way they came. However, if you keep going you can see more of the Kaiwa Ridge, and the crowds thin out quickly.
This part of the trail is very quiet and the views are still great. If you continue all the way along the Kaiwa Ridge, the path eventually takes you east down to Lanikai Beach, or you can go west down to Kamahele Street and the Enchanted Lake community of Kailua.
It leaves some interesting possibilities for loop hikes, or you could do the hike in reverse by starting from one of the other sides of the ridge.
As always, please remember to keep the trail clean, be considerate of other hikers, and leave no trace. Thanks and happy travels!
Lanikai Pillbox Sunrise Hike
Because of the 360 degree views that you get on top of the bunkers, this is also one of the best sunrise and sunset spots on the whole island.
The photos below show what kind of views you can expect at sunrise. In the morning, you’ll be watching the sun rise over the ocean (and behind the ‘Mokes’).
You’ll want to bring a flashlight and a coat if you go for sunrise, because the path will be dark and the wind at the top can make it feel a bit chilly while you wait for the sun to come up.
I would also recommend doing this hike at least once during the daytime before attempting it at sunrise. The terrain is a little tricky in the dark, so it helps a lot to gain some familiarity with it first.
With that said, the Lanikai pillbox sunrise hike is spectacular, and really worth waking up early!
Lanikai Pillbox Sunset Hike
Although the Lanikai pillbox is most popular as a sunrise hike, you can also do it for sunset.
Watching the sun set behind the Ko’olau mountains is a great way to wrap up a day at Lanikai Beach, and the Kaiwa Ridge is one of the best places to see it.
The photo below shows what kind of views you can expect if you do the Lanikai pillbox hike at sunset on a clear day.
Lanikai Pillbox Hike Cost
The Lanikai pillbox hike is FREE as of 2022.
There’s no ticket cost or entrance fee to do this hike, although the state has floated the idea of possibly limiting the number of hikers per day.
I’ll keep this guide updated if there are any changes!
Is The Lanikai Pillbox Hike Closed / Open?
The Lanikai pillbox hike is OPEN as of 2022.
There was a brief 2-month closure for trail repairs in 2018, but aside from rare things of this sort, the trail is always open for hikers.
You can also check the Hawaii DNLR site to see recent updates about which trails are open or closed.
How To Get To Lanikai Pillbox Hike
The trailhead for the Lanikai pillboxes hike starts in an upper class residential neighborhood in Lanikai (a community in Kailua).
It’s located on a dead end road near a private drive, across the street from the Mid-Pacific Country Club, which is a scenic golf course in Lanikai.
You can get there by car, but parking is pretty scarce so there’s a chance of getting ticketed or worse. I’ll explain the parking situation a bit more in the next section of this guide.
It’s generally best to park somewhere in Kailua and go to the trail by walking or taking TheBus, although this does add a bit of time and the nearest bus stop is still 5-10 minutes from the trailhead.
The pin on the map below is the correct location for the start of the hike. From there, just follow the dash and that will take you up the path!
Lanikai Pillbox Hike Parking
There’s no dedicated parking for the Lanikai pillbox hike, and it’s located in a residential area, so parking can be a bit tricky.
You can park at the nearby Kailua Beach Park boat ramp, which is a 1/2 mile walk (15 minutes) to reach the Lanikai pillbox start. This parking lot is usually full during the day, but it’s a fine option if you’re doing the sunrise hike.
You can also find some parking spaces in the residential streets near the pillbox trailhead, but just be careful not to park too close to driveways, fire hydrants, etc.
As always, please remember to keep the trail clean, be considerate of other hikers, and leave no trace. Thanks and happy travels!
While you’re in Lanikai doing the pillbox hike, don’t forget that Lanikai Beach is located just a 10 minute walk away!
This is one of the best white sand beaches in Hawaii, and it’s one of my favorite places to relax, swim, kayak, etc.
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