4. Oahu - Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse

Those who know us are aware that one important thing is still missing, right? A visit to the fire department. So we pay a visit to Fire Station 7 - Waikiki. We receive a warm welcome and learn that Oahu has 44 fire stations, staffed with full-time personnel. We chat for a while and buy T-shirts.
Next, we stop at Leonard's Bakery. This is a legendary bakery, famous worldwide for its malasadas. These are traditional Portuguese donuts without holes, which are slightly crispy on the outside, fluffy soft on the inside, and rolled in sugar. We place our order and then head to the next stop. They are simply too hot to eat on-site. Actually, we want to hike the Koko Crater Stairs. The trail leads steeply up an abandoned railway line from World War II to the summit of the volcanic crater. It is a hike with an elevation gain of 360 meters. Upon arrival at the parking lot, we decide that the incline is quite steep and our current fitness level is insufficient. So we first enjoy our malasadas. The German baking skills are very good, and the various pastries taste different. Unfortunately, I have to admit that the pastries here all taste quite similar: greasy and sweet, with hardly any flavor differences.
Now we drive further east and stop several times along the coast. For example, at Halona Blowhole. This is a natural geyser.
It was formed thousands of years ago by solidified lava flows that created underground tubes in the rock. When the waves of the Pacific Ocean crash forcefully into these lava tunnels, the seawater shoots through a hole in the rock roof like a fountain, reaching up to 10 meters high into the air. We watch this spectacle for a while and then move on.
Now we want to hike the Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail. In travel guides, the hike is considered 'easy' because the path is completely paved. However, the reality at the 160-meter elevation is a sweat-inducing effort.
There is not a single millimeter of shade. The dark asphalt radiates heat from below, while the sun relentlessly beats down from above. The incline is continuously steep, and without any flat recovery phases, it is extremely tough on the knees and circulation.
Only at the top of the cliffs does the trade wind provide some cooling, and the view makes up for everything. The almost desert-like landscape is remarkable: instead of tropical jungle, you walk through dry, golden-brown grasses and past cacti. Then we walk back, now steadily downhill. Upon arriving at the car, we are glad to have only done this hike and not the Koko Crater Stairs.
The kids want to swim. So we choose Waimānalo Beach. First, we enjoy our packed bagels. Then we put on our swimwear and want to refresh ourselves. Fortunately, we discover the warning signs just in time. They warn of jellyfish. Just as we are about to ask the lifeguard for advice, a young mother carries her screaming child in her arms. The child had come into contact with a jellyfish. The lifeguard warns us about the Portuguese Man o' war, which is currently being washed up, especially on the east side of the island due to the current. He also mentions that I am the second one today to ask about it. Other guests jump into the water without a second thought and only come to the lifeguard when they are hurt. We do not go into the water here but instead drive back to Honolulu. We stop briefly at Iolani Palace for a few photos. The palace is the only royal residence on American soil.
The castle, built in 1882, was so modern at the time that it was outfitted with electric lighting before the White House.
Today, the palace serves as a museum that recalls the glorious era of the Hawaiian monarchy and its tragic fall in 1893. Unfortunately, we lack the time for a visit. Back at the apartment, we use the time to go back to Waikiki Beach for a swim. The wind is just right here, allowing us to splash around without worry.
In the evening, we pack our things together.