Walking from Kailua Beach to Lanikai pillbox hike trailhead

ALOHA!

It’s quite reasonable to walk from Kailua Beach to the Lanikai pillbox hike. You’ll walk around 15 minutes to get to the Lanikai pillbox trailhead.

It works out as a warm-up to your Lanikai pillbox hike that also comes with amazing views! At the start of your walk from Kailua Beach, you’ll walk up a hill and this will give you amazing views of Kailua Bay. You’ll then walk a little through the residential neighborhood to get to the trailhead.

There is no designated parking lot for the Lanikai pillbox trailhead. While you might be able to find street parking near the trailhead, sometimes parking around there is restricted more heavily, so you might find it easier to park at Kailua Beach and then walk to the Lanikai pillbox hike from there.

There are a couple of Kailua Beach parking lots, and ideally you’ll park at the Kailua Beach boat ramp parking lot since it’s closer to the trail. But the other parking lot will be fine too, as it will just add on a few minutes extra walking.

The spot where the hike starts is basically just along the side of the road, which means there is nothing around (like bathroom). So whether you are driving yourself or arriving in Kailua by bus, you might want to stop by Kailua Beach before you go the rest of the way to start the hike!

Below I’ll show you what you can expect on your pre-hike warm-up walk to the trailhead!

 

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OAHU DAY TRIPS > KAILUA BAY KAYAKING

>> CIRCLE ISLAND TOUR

 

 

Step-by-step walking to Lanikai pillbox hike trailhead

 

Start at Kailua Beach boat ramp parking lot

👆 The Kailua Beach boat launch parking lot is the closest parking lot to the Lanikai pillbox trailhead.

 

 

Follow Mokulua Drive to Aalapapa Drive to Kaelepulu Rd

👆 Starting from the parking lot, you’ll walk out onto the main road and turn left and start following the paved sidewalk on Mokulua Drive. You will go in the direction of the hill going UP, and you’ll be walking on the side of the ocean and it will give you scenic views!

 

👆 This walk up the hill is an unofficial Kailua bay overlook!

 

👆 Then the sidewalk and road will goes right. You’ll continue walking until you see the road split.

 

👆 When the road splits, you’ll continue your walk on the road to the right side which is Aalapapa Drive. (Straight ahead is continuing on Mokulua Drive where you can walk to Lanikai beach access paths.)

 

👆 You walk a few minutes until Kaelepulu Drive, and then turn right.

 

👆 Once you are on Kaelepulu Drive, you will walk until you see the Lanika pillbox trailhead on the left side of the road.

 

 

Arrival at the Lanikai pillbox trailhead!

👆 You’ll see a little trail that indicates the start of the hike!

 

👆 Hike to the Lanikai pillboxes as you get amazing ocean views!

 

 

OAHU DAY TRIPS > Kailua Bay kayaking

>> Circle island tour