Maili Pillbox (Puu O Hulu)

The pink pillbox hike is a entertaining loved ones trek in Oahu Hawaii, also known as the Maili pillbox hike or ‘Puu O Hulu.’ Even nevertheless the Maili issue hike isn’t quite as well-known as the Lanikai pillbox hike, the sights are arguably just as spectacular!

This ridge hike is positioned on the west facet of Oahu island, in the vicinity of the city of Waianae, and it ends with wonderful sights of the nearby shorelines, highway, and suburbs from earlier mentioned. It’s a relatively small and loved ones pleasant hike, but there’s lots of challenge way too.

As you might guess from the title, there are a handful of old painted armed service bunkers (‘pillboxes’) at the top of this path in which you can sit and rest while getting in the seaside views. It’s unquestionably just one of the finest hikes in Oahu!

This tutorial will explain how to get to the pink pillbox hike in Maili, alongside with other facts like path distance, price tag, parking, basic safety, sunset guidelines, and almost everything else you require to know before you go!

Where by To Remain In Oahu

Rapid Info

• Length: 1.2 miles (2 km) spherical journey
• Elevation Obtain: 500 ft (150 m)
• Period: 1 – 1.5 hours round journey
• Issue: Easy / Moderate

Pink Pillbox Hike (Maili Pillbox): What To Count on

The pink pillbox hike is not pretty as busy as the Lanikai pillbox hike, but it is nonetheless turning out to be very well-liked, so you’ll probably share the trail with plenty of other hikers.

It is a fun trail with a quite mild established of filth switchbacks all the way to the major of the mountain. Pets and children can do it, and the key obstacle is just the mid-day heat.

There is no shade on this hike apart from within the pillboxes, so it’s a excellent notion to provide a hat, sunscreen, and h2o. You will also want shoes for the reason that the gravel can be a little bit slippery, in particular on the way back again down.

Partway up the mountain, you are going to come to an unmarked fork in the path. If you keep still left at the fork, the path will be comparatively flat and gentle switchbacks all the way to the prime. If you change ideal, it is a steep climb with a metal cable to get.

If at any place during this hike you see a metallic cable or a steep and frightening incline, then you will know you took a improper change! We have taken the steep route just before by incident, and it is definitely additional challenging. Most hikers will favor the flatter and less complicated route.

When you get around the prime of the ridge, you will appear across your very first two concrete pillboxes. These military services bunkers served as lookout posts during World War II, and you can continue to stroll inside them currently!

The graffiti included pillboxes on the Maili issue hike have remarkable views of the shoreline and ocean at Waianae. There are slit home windows within the bunkers, so you can glance out of them while hiding from the sunshine for a bit.

We saw whales jumping and spouting in the length, and a pair of whales even swam shut adequate to shore we could see their define obviously in the shallow drinking water!

Whale sightings aren’t confirmed at the Maili pillbox hike, of study course. If you are seeking to see humpback whales off the coast of the Oahu, the finest months are commonly from December to May perhaps.

Soon after the 1st two pillboxes, preserve going a small little bit farther and you’ll attain the third pillbox, which is painted pink for breast most cancers recognition.

In my viewpoint, this pink pillbox is the ideal photograph location on the whole hike. You experience like you’re on prime of the island.

You can go inside the bunker or climb on major of the roof, despite the fact that the footing is a little bit much more tough than the 1st two pillboxes, so be very careful if you choose to go up.

The within is painted vibrant pink just like the exterior.

The moment you arrive at the leading of the mountain, you can continue to keep walking along the ridge to two a lot more pillboxes (which are stacked on best of just about every other). This very little bit of ridge climbing is value it for the further views.

Be very careful at the prime of the ridge, because the path has one particular or two sections that are reasonably slender with steep drop-offs on either side. Stroll, never operate. A lady fell and died in this article in 2021, so it’s some thing to just take critically.

Total, the pink pillbox hike is a person of our favorites in Oahu, and you get amazing sights of the west aspect with out also a lot effort and hard work.

As often, make sure you keep in mind to preserve the path clean up, be considerate of other hikers, and depart no trace. Thanks and happy travels!
 

Length / Elevation Achieve To Maili Pillbox

The 1 way distance to the Maili pillboxes is .6 miles (1 km), and the elevation get is about 500 ft (150 m).

That indicates this trail is a small little bit more time and tougher than the super well known Lanikai pillbox hike in Kailua, but not by much.
 

Entrance Charges

The entrance and parking for the Maili position hike are Absolutely free at the time of crafting. You never have to pay something.

I’ll update this guideline if it modifications!

Wherever To Park — Pink Pillbox Hike

The pink pillbox hike commences from Kaukama Highway, which is the road instantly down below the mountain.

You can park on both side of this highway with no any difficulty, but don’t forget to lock your auto and carry any valuables with you, usually your windows may possibly be smashed when you get back.

Occasionally there is also a neighborhood meals truck parked right here offering cold beverages, so that can be handy just after the hike.
 

How To Get There: Pink Pillbox Hike Directions

The pink pillbox hike is situated in Maili, on the west aspect of Oahu island.

It is about 30 miles from Honolulu or Waikiki, and the drive can take about 1 hour.

The pin on the map under is the suitable locale for the begin of the hike. From there, just adhere to the most important route up the ridge!

Most effective Time To Do Maili Pillbox Hike

I would test to steer clear of accomplishing the Maili pillbox hike in the center of the day, for the reason that the heat is bad and there’s no shade at all. It tends to make it uncomfortable and harder. Morning and evening are both equally fantastic moments to do the hike, but any time early in the working day is greatest.

Considering that the Maili pillbox is positioned on the west side of Oahu, it need to also be a good place for sunset, whilst I haven’t accomplished this hike for sunset myself. Remember to carry a headlight if you go for sunset so you can locate your way again down safely in the darkish!

Far more Hawaii Travel Strategies

Many thanks for on the lookout! I hope you relished this vacation information for the pink pillbox hike in Oahu, Hawaii (also recognised as the Maili pillbox hike or Puu O Hulu).

Never overlook to examine out my other Oahu hiking guides and my complete list of the greatest issues to do in Oahu Hawaii!
 

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