Beautiful green water and even better sunset at Sherwoods on Oahu’s East Shore.

Wipeouts from the 2011 Pipe Masters, Oahu North Shore.

Sunset over looking the surf spot ‘Over Rocks’ off Magic Island.

Waikiki Skyline at dusk taken from Ala Moana Beach Park.

Creaky long line fishing boats docked at Kewalo Basin, Oahu.

Few photos from the treacherous shore break at Sandy’s taken at the spot tucked in the corner called ‘Gas Chambers’.

Panoramic of Downtown Honolulu and Honolulu Harbor shot from Sand Island.

Sunset from just across the Haleiwa Boat Harbor on the north shore of Oahu.

View from Diamond Head Lookout Looking at Diamond Head Lighthouse

One of Hawaii’s most iconic and recognized landmarks is the arching slope of Diamond Head which has graced countless postcards and been the infamous backdrop in numerous media.  At the Diamond Head State Monument, visitors can hike a trail to the top of the mountain to take in the view from the lookout point at the end.

Diamond Head is the remnants of a single explosion from a volcanic tuft cone that has eroded over the years into the signature profile that so many people now associate with Hawaii.  Many residents and tourists each year have hiked the trail to Diamond Head Lookout to experience the scenic points along the path and the picturesque vision that can be captured at the summit.  The trail to the top is an 0.8 mile trek that allows visitors to ascend 560 feet up from the crater floor.  Along the way, a series of stairs—74, 99, 52, and 54, in order of occurrence—and dimly lit, winding tunnels that allow visitors to move up through and along the mountain fairly easily.  The pinnacle of Diamond Head once served as a strategic military point, as emphasized by remnants of abandoned artillery bunkers.  The clear view of the surround areas led the military to develop a defense system on the slopes in the early 1900s.

In recent years, the Department of Land and Natural Resources has imposed an entrance fee to experience the Diamond Head State Monument.  This modest fee ($5 for cars or $1 per pedestrian that enters) applies to both residents and tourists and goes towards the upkeep of the state park.  DLNR has expressed wishes to remove the fee for residents within the next few years if funds allow in order to promote locals to access the facilities on a more regular basis.

Took some cool sunset photos near Portlock/China Walls. Photos taken with my Canon Rebel XSi camera.