After nine long months, Hawaii’s iconic Diamond Head State Monument has reopened to the public on Thursday, December 16. While admirers of its beauty have been limited to saying “wow” from afar for most of the year, there’s no better way to end the year than take a walk inside the crater and go hiking up the path for a breathtaking view of Honolulu and the south shore.

Of course, we can’t expect it to be fully open and accommodate the usual 3,000 people per day. Here is everything you need to know about its reopening.

Addmission

Special Hiking Tips

Keep in mind that aside from the obvious effects of the pandemic, the management prioritizes its visitors’ safety.

The first thing to remember is to be on time. With limited people allowed to enter within limited hours, it is recommended to set your mind to having one of the most organized vacation days you might have had. Allot some time for entry and about 1.5 to 2 hours for the hike itself and stay within schedule. The last entrance to the hiking trail is at 4:00 p.m., and by 6:00 p.m., all visitors will be asked to leave.

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It is also advised to leave your pets at home. The park strictly does not allow pets to enter, except for service animals.

It is also imperative to remember that the hiking trail to the summit is not ADA-accessible, as the last portion of the trail consists of steep stairs. However, facilities on the crater floor are fully accessible to people with disabilities. 

Diamond Head State Monument: Hawaii’s Most Recognized Landmark

Diamond Head (Lē‘ahi) is well-known for its amazing hiking trail, breathtaking views, and inspiring historical mark. It features a broad saucer-shaped crater that is said to be 300,000 years old. At that time, an eruption caused the movement of fine particles to arrange themselves into a tuff, forming the crater. 

Living matter was introduced in the late 1800s to the early 1900s. In 1908, the trail to the summit of Lē‘ahi was built. However, it was not for tourism purposes, but for coastal defense.

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Now, travelers come to challenge themeselves to hike the 0.8-mile long trail, that reaches a height of 560 feet from the crater floor to the summit. 

For more information, Diamond Head has released a downloadable and printable park brochure. Additionally, an online store and self-guided audio tours are now available.

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