Alongside the normal Hawaii trail hazards (falling rocks, cliff edges), Makapu’u Point possesses a few unusual extras, such as biting ladybugs and cactus no one wants to trip into. Yes, cactus. The islands are made of many microclimates and the most eastern spot on Oahu just happens to be windy, sundrenched, and bone-dry. You won’t find any saguaros, but even a small cactus won’t be pleasant to fall into. The “ladybugs” are actually Asian beetles. I thought I was going insane the first time I let a cute little white ladybug land on my hand, and then felt a sharp pain in my skin. But then it happened again, and only a minute after that, I heard my hiking companion: “Aw, a ladybug, how cute!”.

Me: No, wait-!
Her: OW!

So the bites were confirmed. Later I had to Google “white biting ladybug” and apparently, these beetles made it to Hawaii from Japan, and yes, they definitely bite.

Despite angry bugs and cacti, however, Makapu’u is a fun hike. Steep, and there is no shade, but the trail is maintained well and mostly level, so not all that dangerous as long as visitors remember the ever-important sunscreen and water. And the antique, red-roofed lighthouse at the end of the trail is picture-perfect. Because the trail overlooks rocky outcrops and reefs, it’s a good place to watch the ocean and listen to thundering waves. Local friends tell me that the base of the Makapu’u cliffs has some really good tide pools too, but I’ve never been brave enough to venture down and I would not recommend it to anyone who hasn’t grown up in the water. The currents along this shore are immense, and rogue waves happen more often than you might expect. In the three years I lived here, a couple people drowned in this area and they were kama’aina, locals; they knew the water. Tourists would be tempting fate. (Note: the nearby Sandy Beach is also very much not recommended for water sports. My second week on the island, I was driven to this hike by church leaders, and as we passed the beach, one of the Hawaiian men pointed out the window. “You know dis, Sandy Beach? No? We also call it Breakneck. You nevah go swim here”).

Makapu’u’s close proximity to Sandy Beach as well as the Halona Blowhole means that it gets crowded quickly. Be prepared to park at a distance and walk up to the actual trailhead, and definitely bring a camera. It’s a sweaty hike, but the breeze at the top of the ridge and the view of the island, the lighthouse, and the ocean is as good as anyone could ask for. On clear days, Maui and Lanai are visible as blue shadows on the horizon, and I’ve been told that in the winter this trail is great for seeing humpback whales. I’ve never been lucky enough to see more than a spout of mist from a blowhole, but visitors who come from December-April might want to consider bringing binoculars or a camera with excellent zoom capability, just in case.