The Pillbox Hike (also called the Kaiwa Ridge Trail) is a 2.9 km, heavily visited hiking trail near Kailua, Oahu. It passes beautiful viewpoints and there are wildflowers as well as wildlife to see. Due to the incline and distance, the trail is considered moderate. The route is accessible year-round. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash.
The trail starts in the middle of the residential area of Lanikai and is a bit difficult to find. But with the address below in the navi, it is not a problem. You should not be confused by the many signs and simply take the small path between the road and the private property in the woods.
Even in dry weather, the paths through the forest are extremely slippery, despite the attached ropes. On rainy days, this part of the hike becomes a pure slippery slope.
As soon as the grove ends, there is a beautiful view of the coast of Lanikai. The bright sandy beach lined with palm trees meets the turquoise shining ocean. Off the coast lies a well-known photo motif in the water: the two islands of Moku Nui and Moku Iki (in short: "The Mokes" or "The Twin Islands").
The rest of the hike goes directly over Ka'iwa Ridge, so you have great views on both sides. At the top, you reach the decommissioned pillbox bunkers from World War II. Like everywhere else on the island, the high mountains were converted into gun emplacements to defend Hawaii after the attack on Pearl Harbor. From there you have the best view of the south and north. The green slopes of the Ka'iwa mountain range stretch down to Waimanalo Bay.
