Hawaii Lighthouses

The U.S. state of Hawaii is an archipelago of islands in the central North Pacific Ocean. Originally an independent Polynesian kingdom, the islands were annexed by the United States in 1898 and became the 50th state of the Union in 1959.

Hawaii has many light towers, but only a few true lighthouses. This list includes those lighthouses, the well known Aloha Tower of Honolulu, and a group of pyramidal concrete light towers that qualify barely, if at all, as lighthouses.

There is no state lighthouse preservation society in Hawaii, and local preservation efforts are just beginning to appear.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from volume G of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. USCG numbers are from Volume VI of the U.S. Coast Guard Light List.

What's Hot:

New restoration effort at Kilauea Point, Kauai

General Sources
Hawaii Lighthouses

Kraig Anderson's LighthouseFriends.com site has pages for 9 Hawaii light stations.

Hawaii Lights
Posted by USALights, this page has information on the history of Hawaii lighthouses and links to photos.
Lighthouses of Hawaii
This page by Bryan Penberthy features photos by Kim Halstead and Dennis Kent.
The Lighthouse People - Hawaii
Photos and notes from a 1999 tour by Bob and Sandra Shanklin.
Lighthouses of Oahu

July 2004 Lighthouse Digest feature article by Randy Hamsad.

Hawaii Lighthouses Photo Gallery

Excellent photos posted by Selvin Chance.

Makapu'u Point Light, Oahu, November 2006
anonymous Creative Commons photo, copyright Photolulu.com

Hawaii (Big Island) Lighthouses * [Cape Kumukahi (2)]: 1934 (John Hansen) (station established 1929). Active; focal plane 156 ft (47.5 m); white flash every 15 s. 125 ft (38 m) square pyramidal steel skeletal tower, painted white; original DCB-24 aerobeacon. the keeper's house was destroyed by the Kapoho lava flow of 1960 (the flow split in two, sparing the light tower). This tall, graceful skeletal tower has no enclosed section, but it is accepted as a lighthouse by Hawaiians and by the National Park Service Maritime History program. NOAA's Mauna Loa Observatory maintains an air sampling station at the lighthouse, since the site is known for having some of the cleanest air in the world. Punaweb.org also has a page on the lighthouse. Located at the end of secondary road 132 (an unpaved road) about 15 miles (25 km) east of Pahoa, marking the easternmost point of the island and state. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-002; Admiralty G7248; USCG 6-28130.
* Coconut Point (2): 1915 (station establishment date unknown). Active; focal plane 38 ft (11.5 m); continuous green light. 34 ft (10 m) pyramidal reinforced concrete tower, painted white. Chance has a great closeup photo as well as a beautiful view from the sea. Located on the Hilo waterfront near the foot of Waianuenue Avenue. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-023; USCG 6-28050.
* Pauka'a Point (4): 1929 (station established 1869). Active; focal plane 145 ft (44 m); green flash every 6 s. Pyramidal reinforced concrete tower, painted white. The original wooden lighthouse was replaced by another wood structure in 1890, and then a by a tall mast in 1904. Located at Pauka'a Point, off HI 19 at Pauka'a, about 2 miles (3 km) north of downtown Hilo. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-022; Admiralty G7210; USCG 6-28030.
* [Pepe'ekeo Point (3)]: 2002 (station established 1897). Active; focal plane 147 ft (45 m); white light occults every 4 s. 75 ft (23 m) steel pole. The Shanklins have a photo. This light replaced a smaller sibling of Cape Kumukahi Light; Lighthouse Digest has an article on life at that station. As of 2004 a developer was building an upscale residential community of 66 homes in the area, but lighthouse fans were assured that the road to the site would remain open. Located on the point, off HI 19 about 6 miles (10 km) north of Hilo. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-016; Admiralty G7212; USCG 6-28025.
* [Laupahoehoe Point (3)]: 1915 (station established 1890). Inactive since 1946. 6 m (20 ft) square pyramidal concrete tower, now lying in ruins on the beach. Christian Veillet has a good photo. This light was heavily damaged by the tsunami of April 1, 1946, which also killed 25 teachers and children from school classes that were on the beach nearby. Another storm in 1947 toppled the tower and it remains where it fell. The active light (focal plane 39 ft (12 m); white flash every 2.5 s) is on a 6 m (20 ft) steel post behind the former lighthouse. The point is the tip of a tongue of old pahoehoe lava from the Mauna Kea volcano. Located on the point, about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) northwest of Laupahoehoe. Accessible by road from HI 19. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS HAW-026; Admiralty G7214; USCG 6-28020.
Kukuihaele (2): 1937 (station established 1911). Active; focal plane 154 ft (47 m); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 34 ft (10 m) square hourglass-shaped reinforced concrete tower, painted white. The Shanklins have a photo. This lighthouse was built later than the other concrete towers of the island, and it has a distinctive appearance. Located about 13 miles (20 km) southeast of Kauhola Point. There is a jeep trail to the site. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-031; USCG 6-28015.

Kailua (2): 1915. Active; focal plane 32 ft (10 m); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off (red sector covers shoals). Pyramidal reinforced concrete tower, painted white. Anderson has a page with photos, and the Shanklins also have a photo. The lighthouse replaced a light mounted on a mast. Located on Kukailimoku Point at the western entrance to the harbor at Kailua-Kona. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: ARLHS HAW-009; U.S. Coast Guard. USCG 6-28185.
Napo'opo'o (2): Date unknown (station established 1908). Active; focal plane 27 ft (8 m); white flash every 6 s. 22 ft (6.5 m) pyramidal reinforced concrete tower, painted white. Located at Cook Point on the north side of Kealakekua Bay on the west side of the island. The lighthouse is about 400 yards (360 m) west of the Captain Cook Monument. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-024; USCG 6-28150.
[Ka Lae]: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 60 ft (18 m); white flash every 6 s. 32 ft (10 m) concrete post carrying the light and a square black and white daymarker. No one would call this a lighthouse, but it is of interest as it marks the southernmost point of the United States at 18° 54.7' north latitude. Ruins of an ancient Hawaiian temple, the Kalalea Heiau, are at the foot of the tower; the area is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. Located at the end of South Point Road about 20 miles (32 km) south of HI 11. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-008; USCG 6-28140.
Maui Lighthouses

Moloka'i Lighthouses * Moloka'i (Kalaupapa): 1909. Active; focal plane 213 ft (65 m); white flash every 10 s. 138 ft (42 m) octagonal reinforced concrete tower; DCB-24 aerobeacon (1997). Lighthouse painted white, lantern red. The original 2° Fresnel lens is on display in the Lahaina Restoration Foundation's musuem in Lahaina, Maui. Three original 1-1/2 story keeper's houses built of volcanic rock. The park service has a panorama of the area. This is the tallest U.S. Pacific lighthouse. Located on the highlands of the Kalaupapa Peninsula on the north side of Moloka'i. Site open only to guided tours, tower closed. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: Kalaupapa National Historical Park. ARLHS HAW-006; Admiralty G7292; USCG 6-28575.
* [Kaunakakai Range Front (2)]: 1912. Active; focal plane 41 ft (12.5 m); continuous red light. 26 ft (8 m) square pyramidal frame skeletal tower mounted on a small workroom. USALights has a photo; the rear range tower, a similar 38 ft (11.5 m) tower without the workroom, can be seen about 500 ft inland. The area is a county park with picnic facilities. Located at Kaunakakai Harbor off HI 450 on the south side of the island. Site open, tower closed. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: Maui County (Kaunakakai Lighthouse Park). ARLHS HAW-028; USCG 6-28605 (front) and 28610 (rear).
Lana'i Lighthouses * Palaoa Point (Cape Ka'ea): 1934. Active; focal plane 91 ft (28 m); white flash every 6 s; red flashes are shown to the east over rocks off Puupehe Point. 41 ft (12.5 m) square pyramidal wood skeletal tower, painted white; there is a small equipment shed under the base of the lighthouse. Located at the end of the Kaunolu Trail, a dirt road (4WD recommended) at the southernmost point of the island. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-021; Admiralty G7314; USCG 6-28554.
* [Pohakuloa (Shipwreck Beach)]: Date unknown, probably 1930s. Concrete foundation apparently for a skeletal tower. Commonly described as the "ruins" of a lighthouse, this concrete pad is for a lighthouse that was never built. In her book on Hawaiian lighthouses, Love Dean states that a lighthouse was planned in 1930, but she says there is no evidence one was ever placed in service. The modern Pohakuloa Light (USCG 6-28520), built in 1968, is a post light located about 1500 m (1 mi) to the west. Located at Shipwreck Beach, 1.6 miles (2.6 km) beyond the end of HI 44 on the north shore of the island; accessible by a dirt road, 4WD recommended. Owner/site manager: unknown.
Oahu Lighthouses Makapu'u Point: 1909. Active; focal plane 420 ft (128 m); white light occulting every 10 s, day and night. 46 ft (14 m) cylindrical tower, painted white; lantern roof is red. The original "hyper-radiant" Fresnel lens (larger than 1°) is still in use; it is one of the world's most powerful lenses and the only one of its kind in use in the U.S. The keeper's houses and other light station buildings have been demolished. A photo appears at the top of this page, Penberthy has a similar photo by Kim Halstead, and Chance also has a great photo. Melvin Ah Ching has an account of a 1999 visit. In July 2005 work began on a long-planned regional park which should provide improved access to the lighthouse. Located off HI 72 at the easternmost point of Oahu; Google has a satellite view. Accessible by hiking the steep 2 mi (3 km) long service road to the lighthouse. The hike is popular, but strenuous; bring plenty of water. Anderson also has a good page on the lighthouse. The site is popular for whale watching. Site gated but hikers are tolerated, tower closed. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: State of Hawaii. ARLHS HAW-005; Admiralty G7326; USCG 6-28925.
* Barbers Point (2): 1933 (station established 1888). Active; focal plane 85 ft (26 m); white flash every 7.5 s. 71 ft (21.5 m) reinforced concrete tower, painted white. The lantern was removed in 1964; a DCB-224 aerobeacon is mounted atop the capped tower. Wood keeper's house (1915). Penberthy has a closeup photo by Kim Halstead, Chance has a beautiful photo, and Anderson also has a good page with historical information. Located at the end of Olai Street off HI 95 near the Barbers Point Naval Air Station; Google has a satellite view. The light station property is leased to the City of Honolulu as a public park. Site open, tower closed. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: City of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (Barbers Point Beach Park). ARLHS HAW-001; Admiralty G7430; USCG 6-29650.
[Ka'ena Point (1)]: 1920. Inactive since 1987. 65 ft (20 m) pyramidal reinforced concrete tower. Undermined by beach erosion, this lighthouse has fallen and lies across the beach. In January 2002 it was added to the Lighthouse Digest Doomsday List. The light on the point was replaced by the Kaena Point Passing Light, a 30 ft (9 m) pole light (focal plane 71 ft (21.5 m); white flash every 2.5 s). The area is an important archaeological and ecological site. Located at Ka'ena Point, marking the westernmost point of the island; Google has a satellite view. Accessible by a rather strenuous hike (about 6 miles (10 km) round trip) on the Ka'ena Point Trail. Site open. Owner/site manager: Ka'ena Point State Natural Area. USCG 6-29695.
Ka'ena Point (2): 1987(?). Active; focal plane 931 ft (284 m); white flash every 10 s. Beacon mounted atop a 25 ft (7.5 m) building, presumably the service building of a satellite tracking station on the summit of the ridge behind the point. An aerial photo shows the location of this station. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Air Force (Kaena Point Satellite Tracking Station). ARLHS HAW-017; Admiralty G7450; USCG 6-29690.
Pyramid Rock: Date unknown. Active; focal plane 101 ft (31 m); white light occulting every 4 s. 15 ft (4.5 m) square concrete workhouse, beacon mounted on the roof. The structure is painted with an unusual daymark: black and white diagonal stripes. Lighthouse Digest has a closeup photo. This is a case in which nature made a light tower and only a lantern was required. Located at the summit of a pyramidal rock at the end of Palikilo Road on the Mokapu Peninsula in Kaneohe, on the northeast coast of the island. Google has a satellite view. Site and tower closed. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: U.S. Marine Corps Base Hawaii. ARLHS HAW-027; USCG 6-28675.
Kauai Lighthouses

* Kilauea Point
1913. Inactive since 1976. 52 ft (16 m) reinforced concrete tower, painted white; lantern roof is red. The original 2° Fresnel lens is still mounted in tower. Original 1-story stone keeper's house, two assistant keeper's houses, and other buildings. The modern beacon is a 10 ft (3 m) post light (focal plane 174 ft (53 m); white flash every 10 s). A photo appears at right, Penberthy has posted a photo by Dennis Kent, and Chance has a closeup of the lantern and lens. This historic light was the landfall light for ships arriving from the Orient. However, the lighthouse is in deteriorating condition. In 2006, the Kilauea Point Natural History Association, the support group for the wildlife refuge, expanded its role to include lighthouse preservation and launched a fund drive for restoration of the light station. A full restoration is expected to cost at least $1.5 million. Located at the end of Kilauea Road off HI 56 about 2 miles (3 km) north of Kilauea, marking the northernmost point of the island and state. Site open weekdays (entry fee), tower has an open house once a year in May. Owner: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Site manager: Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. ARLHS HAW-004; USCG 6-29735.
* Nawiliwili Harbor (Ninini Point) (3)
1933 (station established 1897). Active; focal plane 112 ft (34 m); white flash every 15 s. 80 ft (24.5 m) reinforced concrete tower; DCB-24 aerobeacon (1985). The original 4° Fresnel lens is on display at the Hawai'i Maritime Center in Honolulu. 1-story concrete and wood keeper's house. Sibling of Barbers Point Light on Oahu. HawaiiWeb has photos and directions. Located on Ninini Point, the north side of the harbor entrance on the southeast side of the island. Google has a satellite view. Site status uncertain; lighthouse is opened sometimes by Coast Guard Auxiliary. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-007; Admiralty G7480; USCG 6-29745.
[Kuki'i Point]

Date uncertain. Active; focal plane 47 ft (14 m); white flash every 2.5 s; red sector covering shoals. 22 ft (6.5 m) pyramidal reinforced concrete tower. Formerly tended by the Nawiliwili Harbor Light keepers. Chance has a great photo that shows this lightand the Nawiliwili Jetty Light on the other side of the harbor entrance. Located at Kuki'i Point on the north side of Nawiliwili Harbor, about 2/3 mile (1 km) west of the Nawiliwili Harbor Light; Google has a satellite view. Site status uncertain. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-037; USCG 6-29755.

* [Makahu'ena Point (3)]

1983 (station established 1908). Active; focal plane 80 ft (24 m); white flash every 2.5 s.20 ft (6 m) post light, painted white. The foundation pad of the concrete lighthouse built in 1922 is also visible. Located on the southernmost point of Kauai off Poipu Road in Poipu: Google has a satellite view. Site open. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-038; USCG 6-29850.

Kilauea Light, Kauai, August 2005
Wikipedia public domain photo

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Ahukini Breakwater (1926-?), Kauai. ARLHS HAW-029.
Honolulu Harbor (1910-1934), Oahu. ARLHS HAW-014.
Kanahena Point (1884-1918), Maui. ARLHS HAW-034.
La'au Point (1881-?), Moloka'i. ARLHS HAW-032.
Laupahoehoe Point (1915-1946), Hawai'i. ARLHS HAW-026.
Makahanaloa (1897-1905), Hawai'i. ARLHS HAW-035.
Miloli'i Point (1965-?), Hawai'i. ARLHS HAW-013.
Nakalele Point (1910-1934), Maui. ARLHS HAW-039.
Pa'uwela Point (1911-?), Maui. ARLHS HAW-036.
Pearl Harbor (1910-?), Oahu. ARLHS HAW-033.
Tantalus (1940-?), Oahu

Searchable news archives: Honolulu Advertiser; Honolulu Star-Bulletin
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