Lighthouses of the U.S.: Hawaii

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. The largest and easternmost island is also named Hawai'i, but residents call it the Big Island. The capital and only large city, Honolulu, is on the island of Oahu. Maui, Moloka'i, and the smaller islands of Lana'i and Kaho'olawe lie between the Big Island and Oahu, while Kauai lies to the west. All the islands are of volcanic origin, with active volcanos on the Big Island. On the coastlines, sandy beaches extend between precipitous rocky headlands. There is no state lighthouse preservation society in Hawaii, and local preservation efforts have just begun to appear in the last decade. We follow Hawaiian custom in recognizing as lighthouses the many smaller concrete beacons found in the islands. 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. General Sources Hawaii Lighthouses Excellent photos and historical information from Kraig Anderson's LighthouseFriends.com site. Lighthouses of Hawaii This page by Bryan Penberthy features photos by Kim Halstead and Dennis Kent. Lighthouses in Hawaii, United States Aerial photos posted by Marinas.com. Historic Light Station Information and Photography - Hawaii Information and historic photos posted by the U.S. Coast Guard. National Maritime Inventory - Hawaii National Park Service inventory of Hawaii lighthouse data. 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, December 2007 Creative Commons photo by Jon Parise

Hawai'i (Big Island) East Coast 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, 0.6 mi (1 km) to the west, was destroyed by the Kapoho lava flow of 1960, but the flow split in two, sparing the light tower. Ai Pohaku has a good photo, Steve Wilber has a 2008 photo, and Punaweb.org also has a page on the lighthouse. This tall, graceful skeletal tower is unlike any other U.S. lighthouse. 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. The original, temporary lighthouse was a 32 ft (10 m) wood tower. 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 (Directional Light) (3) 1975 (station established 1904). Active; focal plane 38 ft (11.5 m); green light occulting once every 4 s, visible only along the proper line of entry to the harbor. 34 ft (10 m) square pyramidal reinforced concrete tower, painted white. Chance has a great closeup photo as well as a beautiful view from the sea, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse replaced a similar tower built in 1915. 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; Admiralty G7200; USCG 6-28050. * Pauka'a Point (4) 1925 (station established 1869). Active; focal plane 145 ft (44 m); green flash every 6 s. 34 ft (10 m) square pyramidal reinforced concrete tower, painted white. Google has a satellite view. 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, at the end of Lahoa Place 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, and Google has a satellite view. This light replaced a smaller sibling of Cape Kumukahi Light; Lighthouse Digest has an article on life at that station. In 2004 a developer began building an upscale residential community 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.

Cape Kumukahi Light, January 2008 Creative Commons photo by Hunter Bishop

* [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, and Lighthouse Digest has an article on the station. 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 in Laupahoehoe Point Park, about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) northwest of Laupahoehoe. Accessible by road from HI 19; parking provided. 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, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse was built later than the other concrete towers of the island, and it has a distinctive appearance. Unlike the others, it has an interior ladder used to reach the light. Located about 13 miles (20 km) southeast of Kauhola Point. The surrounding land is fenced for pastures. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-031; Admiralty G7218; USCG 6-28015.

#Kauhola Point (2) 1933 (station established 1917). Demolished in 2009. 86 ft (26 m) reinforced concrete tower, painted white, with lantern removed and an aerobeacon mounted atop the capped tower. The keeper's house and other station buildings have also been demolished. The active light (focal plane 116 ft (35.5 m); white flash every 15 s) is on a tall steel pole carrying an open lantern structure. T. Doyle's photo appears at right, the Shanklins have an account of a 1998 visit, Chance has several photos, the Coast Guard has a 1934 aerial photo, and Google has a satellite view. A sibling of Barbers Point Light on Oahu and Nawiliwili Harbor Light on Kauai. The lighthouse was long endangered by erosion of the cliff face on which it stood, and it was demolished in Dece,ber 2009 when it was only 20 ft (6 m) from the edge. Located at the end of a rutted dirt road, off HI 270 about 5 miles (8 km) east southeast of the northernmost point of the island. Accessible by 4WD vehicle or a hike of about 2 mi (3 km) each way. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-010; Admiralty G7222; USCG 6-28010. Hawai'i (Big Island) West Coast Lighthouses * Mahukona (2) 1915 (station established 1889). Active; focal plane 64 ft (19.5 m); white flash every 4 s. 22 ft (6.5 m) square pyramidal reinforced concrete tower, painted white. Christian Veillet has a closeup and a photo of the foundations of the 1889 tower, the Shanklins also have a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory south of Mahukona Harbor, about 5 miles (8 km) south of the northernmost point of the island. Accessible by a short walk south from the Mahukona Beach Park, off HI 270. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-012; Admiralty G7226; USCG 6-28325. * Kawaihae (4) 1915 (station established 1869). Active; focal plane 59 ft (18 m); white flash every 6 s. 36 ft (11 m) square pyramidal reinforced concrete tower, painted white. Christian Veillet has several photos (3/4 of the way down the page), the Shanklins have a photo, and Google has a satellite view. This light marks the entrance to Kawaihae Harbor. Located just off HI 270 north of Kawaihae. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-011; Admiralty G7228; USCG 6-28270. * Keahole Point (2) 1915 (station established 1908). Active; focal plane 43 ft (14 m); white flash every 6 s (red sector covers shoals). 33 ft (10 m) square pyramidal reinforced concrete tower, painted white. Tom Dutton has contributed a photo, the Shanklins have a photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse replaced a light mounted on a mast. The surrounding area has been devloped by a state authority created to experiment with ocean thermal energy conversion, an alternative energy source. Located on the westernmost point of the island just southwest of Keahole-Kona International Airport. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-019; Admiralty G7231; USCG 6-28215.

1933 Kauhola Point Light, 2006 Wikipedia GNU licensed photo by T. Doyle

* Kailua (2)

1915. Active; focal plane 32 ft (10 m); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off (red sector covers shoals). 20 ft (6 m) square pyramidal reinforced concrete tower, painted white. Tom Dutton has contributed a photo, the Shanklins also have a photo, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse replaced a light mounted on a mast. Located on Kukailimoku Point at the western entrance to the harbor at Kailua-Kona. Accessible by a short walk from the Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area, where parking is available. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-009; Admiralty G7234; USCG 6-28185.

Napo'opo'o (2)

1922 (station established 1908). Active; focal plane 27 ft (8 m); white flash every 6 s. 22 ft (6.5 m) square pyramidal reinforced concrete tower, painted white. Anderson has a good page for the lightbeacon. 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; Admiralty G7236; USCG 6-28150.

* [Ka Lae (3)]

1972 (station established 1909). 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. This lightbeacon 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; Admiralty G7242; USCG 6-28140.

Maui Lighthouses

* Lahaina (6) 1917 (station established 1840). Active; focal plane 44 ft (13.5 m); red flash every 7.5 s. 39 ft (12 m) pyramidal reinforced concrete tower, painted white with gray trim. Hawaii's oldest light station; King Kamehameha I established a lighthouse here in 1840. At least four lighthouses stood here before the U.S. Lighthouse Board erected a wooden lighthouse in 1905. A good photo is available, Anderson has an excellent page with photos and the history of the lighthouse, HawaiiWeb.com has a page with excellent photos, and Google has a satellite view. In 1996 the Lahaina Restoration Foundation leased the site from the Coast Guard. Located overlooking Lahaina harbor at the western end of the island. Site open, tower closed. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: Lahaina Restoration Foundation. ARLHS HAW-020; Admiralty G7266; USCG 6-28460. * McGregor Point (2) 1915 (station established 1906). Active; focal plane 72 ft (22 m); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 22 ft (6.5 m) pyramidal reinforced concrete tower, painted white. Tom Dutton has contributed a photo, the Shanklins have photos, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The nearby McGregor Point Lookout is a popular site for whale watching. Located off HI 30 about 1 mile (1.6 km) southwest of Maalaea. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-025; Admiralty G7260; USCG 6-28415. [Hanamanioa Point (2)] Date unknown (station established 1918). Active; focal plane 73 ft (22 m); white flash every 4 s. 21 ft (6.5 m) steel post, painted white. Various Internet references to a Hanamanioa lighthouse suggested that the 1918 pyramidal reinforced concrete tower was still intact, but Anderson's photos and Tom Dutton's closeup prove it is not. Google has a satellite view. Dutton reports that portions of the original lighthouse are lying on the rocky beach. Located at the southwestern point of Maui. Accessible via the Hoapili Trail, a rough hiking trail from La Perouse Bay near Makena. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-030; Admiralty G7258; USCG 6-28405. [Ka'uiki Head (2)] 1914 (station established 1906). Active; focal plane 85 ft (26 m); white flash every 2.5 s. 14 ft (4 m) pyramidal reinforced concrete tower. The Shanklins have photos, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. The 1-story wood keeper's house of the original lighthouse was relocated and incorporated into a private residence in Hana. Located on a small island just off Ka'uiki Head on the south side of Hana Bay, marking the easternmost point of the island. Site and tower closed, but the lighthouse can be seen from Hana Beach Park. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-018; Admiralty G7288; USCG 6-28390.

Lahaina Light, April 2007 anonymous Creative Commons photo

[Pa'uwela Point (4)]

Date unknown (station established 1910). Active; focal plane 49 m (161 ft); white flash every 15 s. 40 ft (12 m) white steel post supporting a small square platform. Google has an indistinct satellite view. The original lighthouse had a lantern mounted on a keeper's house. It was replaced in 1937 by a concrete tower carrying an aerobeacon. The Coast Guard has a historic photo of the third light, a white steel skeletal tower. The light station property was donated to Maui County as a park. Located on a rugged promontory on Maui's north coast, about 15 miles (25 km) northeast of Kahului; accessible by a hiking trail. Site open, tower closed. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: Maui County (Pauwela Point Park). ARLHS HAW-036; Admiralty G7286; USCG 6-28385.

Kaho'olawe Lighthouse
Kaho'olawe Southwest Point (2)

1987 (station established 1928). Active; focal plane 120 ft (36.5 m); white flash every 6 s. 20 ft (6 m) square skeletal tower with gallery, painted white. Google has a satellite view. The island of Kaho'olawe is 11 miles (18 km) long and is located only 7 miles (11 mi) southwest of Hanamanioa Point, Maui. After being used as a naval bombing practice range from 1941 through 1990, the island has been returned to state control and has been declared a reserve for Native Hawaiian cultural activities. The lighthouse is atop a cliff at the southwestern point of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Admiralty G7252; USCG 6-28515.

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. Hawaiiweb.com also has a page for the lighthouse, and Google has a satellite view. 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.

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 2nd order Fresnel lens, previously on display in the Lahaina Restoration Foundation's musuem in Lahaina, Maui, has been shipped back to Molokai for eventual display in a museum at Kalaupapa. Three original 1-1/2 story keeper's houses built of volcanic rock. The park service has a panorama of the area, a distant view is available, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a good satellite view. 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.

Moloka'i Light; U.S. National Park Service photo

* [Kaunakakai Range Front (2)]

Date unknown (station established 1912). Active; focal plane 27 ft (8 m); continuous red light. 26 ft (8 m) square skeletal tower mounted on a small workroom. No photo available. The tower also carries a rectangular daymark, painted red with a white vertical stripe. 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; Admiralty G7306; USCG 6-28605.

* [Kaunakakai Range Rear (2)]

Date unknown (station established 1912). Active; focal plane 41 ft (12.5 m); continuous red light. 38 ft (11.5 m) square pyramidal skeletal tower, painted white. The tower also carries a rectangular daymark, painted red with a white vertical stripe. Lighthouse Explorer has a photo by Ted Smith misidentified as being of the front light, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. 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; Admiralty G7306.1; USCG 6-28610.

[La'au Point (3)]

Date unknown (station established 1912). Active; focal plane 46 m (151 ft); white flash every 2.5 s. 6 m (20 ft) post light with a diamond-shaped black and white daymark. No photo of the present light is available, but Google has a satellite view. A small stone tower was replaced in 1906 by a 35 ft (11 m) square wood tower with lantern and gallery. Located on the southwestern tip of Moloka'i. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS HAW-032; Admiralty G7296; USCG 6-28670.

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. Jon Parise's photo appears at the top of this page, Anderson also has a good page on the lighthouse, Penberthy has a similar photo by Kim Halstead, Chance also has a great photo, Melvin Ah Ching has an account of a 1999 visit, the Coast Guard has a historic photo from the 1920s. Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. 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. 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. The site is also popular for whale watching. Site open to hikers, tower closed. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: State of Hawaii (Makapu'u Point State Wayside). ARLHS HAW-005; Admiralty G7326; USCG 6-28925.

* Diamond Head (2) 1918 (station established 1899). Active; focal plane 147 ft (45 m); white light, day and night, 2 s on, 1.5 s off, 5 s on, 1.5 s off; red sector covers nearby reefs. 57 ft (17.5 m) square pyramidal reinforced concrete tower, topped by a round watch room, lantern; original Barbier et Bénard 3rd order Fresnel lens. Lighthouse painted white; lantern roof is red. The 1-story wood keeper's house (1921) is the residence of the Coast Guard district commandant. A photo is at right, Ross Manges has a closeup, the Coast Guard has a historic photo of the station, and Google has a satellite view. The original lighthouse was similar to the present one, but it was an iron skeletal tower enclosed by coral rock walls. In 1917-18, this was replaced by a concrete tower with the same lantern, watch room, and lens as the original. Located off Diamond Head Road on the famous cape southeast of Waikiki. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-003; Admiralty G7328; USCG 6-29060. * Aloha Tower 1926. Inactive since about 1970. 184 ft (56 m) square masonry tower topped by a domed cupola. Chance has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. Originally a brilliant navigation light was displayed from the top of the tower. Although it was maintained privately, the tower was an important beacon for ships arriving in Honolulu. Located at the foot of Fort Street in downtown Honolulu. Site and tower open; the 10th floor observation level is open 9 am to 5 pm daily. Owner: State of Hawaii. Site manager: Aloha Tower Marketplace. * 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 Google has a satellite view. The Coast Guard has a historic photo of the original lighthouse, a 42 ft (13 m) coral-stone tower, and a 1934 photo of the present tower with its original lantern. Located at the end of Olai Street off HI 95 near the Barbers Point Naval Air Station. 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. A 2007 photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at Ka'ena Point, marking the westernmost point of the island. Accessible by a rather strenuous hike (about 6 miles (10 km) round trip) on the Ka'ena Point Trail. (Hikers note: ka'ena means "the heat.") Site open. Owner/site manager: Ka'ena Point State Natural Area. USCG 6-29695.

Diamond Head Light, September 2008 anonymous Creative Commons photo

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, and Wikipedia has a closeup photo, but the location of the light cannot be seen. 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 Explorer has a closeup photo by Randy Hemstad, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. 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. 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 Barbier, Bénard et Turenne 2nd order Fresnel lens is still mounted in the 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 (note the modern beacon just to the left of the lighthouse), Penberthy has posted a photo by Dennis Kent, Chance has a closeup of the lantern and lens, and Google has a satellite view. This historic light was the landfall light for ships arriving in Hawaii from the Orient. The long-unused 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. Some emergency repairs were completed in 2008. A full restoration is expected to cost at least $1.5 million, so in April 2009 a $1 million campaign was announced. 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 closed except for 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 4th order 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, and Google has a satellite view. The Coast Guard's 1934 photo shows that this lighthouse never had an enclosed lantern. Located on Ninini Point, the north side of the harbor entrance on the southeast side of the island. 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 light and the Nawiliwili Jetty Light on the other side of the harbor entrance, and Google has a satellite view. Located at Kuki'i Point on the north side of Nawiliwili Harbor, about 2/3 mile (1 km) west of the Nawiliwili Harbor Light. Site status uncertain. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-037; Admiralty G7482; 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. Google has a satellite view. Located on the southernmost point of Kauai off Poipu Road in Poipu. Site open. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS HAW-038; Admiralty G7520; USCG 6-29850.

Kilauea Light, June 2008 anonymous Creative Commons 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.
• Kaumalapau (1924-?), Lana'i.
• 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.
• Pearl Harbor (1910-?), Oahu. ARLHS HAW-033.
• Tantalus (1940-?), Oahu

Return to the Lighthouse Directory index

Posted May 2001. Checked and revised June 10, 2009. Lighthouses: 23. Site copyright 2009 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.