Welcome to the tropical paradise of Windward Oahu, Hawaii. The Windward side of Oahu is connected to Honolulu by Likelike Highway, (Hawaii state route 63) and Pali Highway, (Hawaii state route 61), both which take you out of the Big City of Honolulu onto the more rural side of the island. Once you pass through the Wilson or Pali tunnels which take you though the Koolau Mountains you enter into a beautiful valley on the Windward side of Oahu. The Windward side of Oahu is more lush and tropical than the Leeward side where Honolulu is located. This is thanks to the Easterly trade winds which push clouds and moisture up against the Koolau Range which provides almost daily afternoon light showers on this side of the island. Below you is the residential city of Kãne‘ohe on Kãne‘ohe Bay. In the Hawaiian language, Kãne‘ohe, pronouced as (KA-neh-OH-heh), means "bamboo man". According to an ancient Hawaiian legend a local woman compared her husband's cruelty to the sharp edge of cutting bamboo; thus the place was named Kãne‘ohe or "Bamboo man".
Kãne‘ohe sits on the southern end of Kãne‘ohe Bay and is protected from strongest winds by the Mokãpu Peninsula. One of the town's major employer's is the Marine Corps Base Hawaii which lies across the southeastern end of Kãne‘ohe Bay on the Mokãpu Peninsula. The actual town of Kãne‘ohe lies along the bay it stretches from central part of Kãne‘ohe Bay on the west, to the base entrance on the southeastern side of the bay. The city had a population was 34,970 according to the 2000 census, it one of the two largest city's on the Windward side of Oahu. This city offers 3 golf courses, along with shopping and sailing and fishing on Kãne‘ohe Bay. Kãne‘ohe has two main tourist attractions they are the Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens and Byodo-In Temple in the Valley of the Temples. This temple is replica of an 11th century Buddist temple in Uji Japan. It has been featured in several films and television shows including the movie Pearl Harbor.
Places to visit in and around Kãne‘ohe
Byodo-In-Temple — This beautiful Buddhist temple is a replica of the 900-year-old Byodo-In located in Uji, Japan. It is located in one of the most peaceful locations in O'ahu - the Valley of the Temples. The valley is situated against a back-drop of tall cliffs Ko'olau mountains and it is beautifully landscaped with traditional lush Japanese gardens and koi ponds. Inside the Byodo-In Temple you will find a nine-foot Lotus Buddha. It is the largest wooden Buddha carved in over 900 years and is covered in gold and lacquer. Outside there is Beside the temple is a 5-foot tall ,a three-ton, brass Peace Bell. The deep tone of the bell sounds a message of calm and peace. Behind and to the left of the Temple is the Meditation House, a place for private thought and inner peace. Admission is $3 for enterance into grounds aroond the temple. This is a solemn, religious area so be respectful and quiet while in the Valley of the Temples. Remove your shoes before entering the Byodo-In Temple
Pali Lookout — Before you descend into Windward,Oahu and Kãne‘ohe be sure to check out the Nuuanu Pali Lookout located along the Pali Highway (State route 61). Watch for the signs that point to lookout. From the vantage point of the scenic Pali lookout you can see, Kãne‘ohe, Kãne‘ohe Bay, Chinaman's Hat, and Hawaii Pacific's Windward Campus. Although the Pali Lookout is a well know tourist spot, what is not widely know is that there is a trail at the lower end of the lookout that you can hike to get a different perspective on the views from the Pali. This trail follows along the route of the Old Pali Highway. There is a wide variety of tropical plants along this trail and is worth a quick look. The picture below shows the Pali cliffs as viewed from the old Pali Highway.
What many tourist's do not know is that this scenic vista is also the site of one of the bloodiest battles in Hawaiian history. It was here in 1795 that King Kamehameha I and his warriors defeated the O'ahu armies by sending them to their deaths over these steep, forested cliffs and claiming his victory to unite the Hawaiian Islands. The breathtaking sight and the gruesome history of the battle fought here is enough to cause a chill to run up your spine. Ancient Hawaiian legend says the old fallen warriors still haunt these hills. Parking is free but be prepared when visiting the Pali frequent gusty strong winds often pass through the Pali and you may loose your hat or be swept off your feet by the strong winds! Use caution when hiking the old Pali road loose rocks may fall upon the trail so use it at your own risk.
Makapu'u Point and Lighthouse — Makapu'u Lighthouse is one of Hawaii's most familiar landmarks commanding a spectacular view of the Windward side of O'ahu. The lighthouse is located northeast of Kãne‘ohe off state route 72. The lighthouse was built in 1909 and automated in 1974. A 2-mile paved trail leads to the lighthouse and a fantastic view of the entire coastline and the island of Molokai in the distance. Two smaller islands can be clearly seen from this lookout - Manana Island, the largest, and Kaohikaipu Island,(also called Rabbit Island and Turtle Island). The Molokai Channel runs to east past Makapu'u Lighthouse and is an excellent spot to watch Humpback whales as they travel the channel between December and April.
Please note: Parking at the trail head is limited. This is a moderate diffculty 2-mile hike along a paved trail, but the trail is quite steep in spots. Be prepared before you venture along this trail, as there is no shade or restroom facilities, this can be a hot hike. Bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. Once you reach the top and see the breathtaking views you will know the hike was well worth it.
Pictured at the right is a view looking West from atop Makapu'u point directly below is Walmanalo bay and the community of Walmanalo beyond this is the towns Kailua and Kaneohe.
Kãne‘ohe sits on the southern end of Kãne‘ohe Bay and is protected from strongest winds by the Mokãpu Peninsula. One of the town's major employer's is the 
Byodo-In-Temple — This beautiful Buddhist temple is a replica of the 900-year-old Byodo-In located in Uji, Japan. It is located in one of the most peaceful locations in O'ahu - the Valley of the Temples. The valley is situated against a back-drop of tall cliffs Ko'olau mountains and it is beautifully landscaped with traditional lush Japanese gardens and koi ponds. Inside the Byodo-In Temple you will find a nine-foot Lotus Buddha. It is the largest wooden Buddha carved in over 900 years and is covered in gold and lacquer. Outside there is Beside the temple is a 5-foot tall ,a three-ton, brass Peace Bell. The deep tone of the bell sounds a message of calm and peace. Behind and to the left of the Temple is the Meditation House, a place for private thought and inner peace. Admission is $3 for enterance into grounds aroond the temple. This is a solemn, religious area so be respectful and quiet while in the Valley of the Temples. Remove your shoes before entering the Byodo-In Temple
Pali Lookout — Before you descend into Windward,Oahu and Kãne‘ohe be sure to check out the Nuuanu Pali Lookout located along the Pali Highway (State route 61). Watch for the signs that point to lookout. From the vantage point of the scenic Pali lookout you can see, Kãne‘ohe, Kãne‘ohe Bay, Chinaman's Hat, and Hawaii Pacific's Windward Campus. Although the Pali Lookout is a well know tourist spot, what is not widely know is that there is a trail at the lower end of the lookout that you can hike to get a different perspective on the views from the Pali. This trail follows along the route of the Old Pali Highway. There is a wide variety of tropical plants along this trail and is worth a quick look. The picture below shows the Pali cliffs as viewed from the old Pali Highway.
What many tourist's do not know is that this scenic vista is also the site of one of the bloodiest battles in Hawaiian history. It was here in 1795 that King Kamehameha I and his warriors defeated the O'ahu armies by sending them to their deaths over these steep, forested cliffs and claiming his victory to unite the Hawaiian Islands. The breathtaking sight and the gruesome history of the battle fought here is enough to cause a chill to run up your spine. Ancient Hawaiian legend says the old fallen warriors still haunt these hills. Parking is free but be prepared when visiting the Pali frequent gusty strong winds often pass through the Pali and you may loose your hat or be swept off your feet by the strong winds! Use caution when hiking the old Pali road loose rocks may fall upon the trail so use it at your own risk.
Makapu'u Point and Lighthouse — Makapu'u Lighthouse is one of Hawaii's most familiar landmarks commanding a spectacular view of the Windward side of O'ahu. The lighthouse is located northeast of Kãne‘ohe off state route 72. The lighthouse was built in 1909 and automated in 1974. A 2-mile paved trail leads to the lighthouse and a fantastic view of the entire coastline and the island of Molokai in the distance. Two smaller islands can be clearly seen from this lookout - Manana Island, the largest, and Kaohikaipu Island,(also called Rabbit Island and Turtle Island). The Molokai Channel runs to east past Makapu'u Lighthouse and is an excellent spot to watch Humpback whales as they travel the channel between December and April.
Please note: Parking at the trail head is limited. This is a moderate diffculty 2-mile hike along a paved trail, but the trail is quite steep in spots. Be prepared before you venture along this trail, as there is no shade or restroom facilities, this can be a hot hike. Bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. Once you reach the top and see the breathtaking views you will know the hike was well worth it.