Get the app

Outdoors Kailua & Lanikai

Lanikai Pillbox Trail

An outdoor spot in Kailua & Lanikai, free to visit and worth about 1.5 hours. Best time to go: Early morning Jan 1.

Open in Google Maps Apple Maps
Lanikai Pillbox Trail in Kailua & Lanikai
Photo: Raita Futo · CC BY 2.0 · license

Why go

Short, steep climb up Kaiwa Ridge to old concrete bunkers with views over Lanikai and the islets.

It is one of 6 curated places we feature in Kailua & Lanikai, alongside 2 outdoor spots, 1 place to eat and 1 sight. 3 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with Lanikai Beach and Kailua Beach Park.

Type
Outdoors · Nature
Neighborhood
Lanikai
Price
Free
Time needed
1.5 hr
Best time
Early morning Jan 1

Nearby

Our closest curated picks, including 1 beyond Kailua & Lanikai. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.

  1. 1
    Lanikai Beach

    Narrow strip of white sand in a residential neighborhood, facing the twin Mokulua islets.

    Outdoors · 0.3 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    Kailua Beach Park

    Long, soft-sand beach with calm water, a park with showers, and kayak rentals to the Mokulua islets.

    Outdoors · 0.6 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    Buzz's Original Steakhouse

    Wood-paneled steakhouse across from Kailua Beach since the 1960s, with a salad bar and grilled fish.

    Food · 0.6 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    Kalapawai Market

    Green general store at the beach road since 1932, now selling coffee, sandwiches and beach supplies.

    Shopping · 0.8 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    Nuuanu Pali Lookout

    Windy lookout at the top of the Pali Highway with a view of the green Koolau cliffs and the windward coast.

    Sight · 5.0 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

    Protected volcanic bay with reef snorkeling and green sea turtles.

    Outdoors · Oahu · 8.5 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Lanikai Pillbox Trail is a stop on our Honolulu New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

When to go

Average daily highs in Kailua & Lanikai run from 75°F in February to 81°F in September; March is usually the wettest month. For Lanikai Pillbox Trail itself, we suggest: Early morning Jan 1.

Modelled monthly averages for Kailua & Lanikai from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Kailua & Lanikai weather by month.

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Lanikai Pillbox Trail, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Coordinates
21.39020, -157.71947
Destination
Kailua & Lanikai, Hawaii

Lanikai Pillbox Trail: quick answers

How much time do you need at Lanikai Pillbox Trail?

Plan on about 1.5 hours at Lanikai Pillbox Trail. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Lanikai Pillbox Trail?

Our pick: Early morning Jan 1. Insider tip: Wear shoes with grip; the dirt trail gets slippery after rain.

Is Lanikai Pillbox Trail free?

Yes, we list Lanikai Pillbox Trail as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.

Which TripsCircle routes include Lanikai Pillbox Trail?

Lanikai Pillbox Trail appears on Honolulu New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add Lanikai Pillbox Trail to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Kailua & Lanikai.

Get TripsCircle

Plan Kailua & Lanikai

Lists & regions

Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.