If you were sailing from mainland USA to Honolulu, you would be guided into port by these 3 lighthouses. The first one you would see is on Makapu'u Point, the southeastern point of Oahu. This small lighthouse was built in 1909 and is on a clifftop 183 metres above the sea. It has the largest lens of any lighthouse in the US. It is a long walk from the road to the lighthouse, so the photo was taken from the next beach to the north. Because of its isolation there has been a lot of vandalism of the light and associated buildings, including an idiot shooting a hole in the lens. Today the area is state park and a great hang gliding site. The second light is at the foot of Diamond Head, at the eastern end of Waikiki beach.There has been a lighthouse here since 1899, warning ships away from the Waikiki reefs. The present tower is the result of major modifications of the original tower in 1917. It is easy to get to this lighthouse, it is just off the seaward side of the road that goes around Diamond Head. At the other end of Waikiki is the entry to Honolulu harbour. Ships are greeted by the 10-story Aloha Tower, a lighthouse built in "Hawaiian Gothic" style that came into operation in 1926. For around 40 years it was the tallest building in Hawaii. The area around the tower is being redeveloped, but I am not sure just what that means. The ship in the photo is "Pride of America". It takes you on a week-long cruise around the Hawaiian islands, stopping at a different port each day. Next time we are in Hawaii, I am putting pressure on the Oldies to do that cruise. The guy in the last photo is Kirk. He was our "guiding light" on a fantastic full-day tour around the east and north coasts of Oahu. If you want to see the best of the region, you can't do better than book Kirk through Tours By Locals. Tell him Bart sent you.
Labels: Hawaii, lighthouse
# posted by Bart Bear @ 11:25 am
