On a trip to Oahu, Mt. Tantalus and Round Top Drive were near the top of my “must see” list of activities. It was definitely worth it but here’s one major tip that can save you a lot of time and driving, if you just want a brief glimpse of Makiki Heights, and lower valley, plus that panoramic view that’s so photo-friendly.
You’ve got two choices as you head up to Makiki Heights. Now do you want the high road, (to your left at the Y, it’s Tantalus Drive), or would you like the low road, (Round Top Drive, on your right)?
Taking the high road, you’ll wind past guava, mango, koa and bamboo forests, million dollar homes and about a hundred or so switchbacks. Okay, the whole thing is about 9 miles, but at 10-15 miles per hour, that’s at least 1 1/2 hours if you plan to stop at all for photos. And you’ll probably get lost at least once.
Pros of the high road include the Contemporary Museum. Like a Taoist read on Frank Lloyd Wright it nestles it’s massive horizontal slabs right into the hillside. But you could get here by The Bus, if that’s all you wanted.
There are some way cool hiking trails that originate from Tantalus Drive. Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve is one.
But if you just want a short drive, some fabulous views and tropical scenery, try the low road, Roundtop, to your right as you start up the Heights. The advantages are that it will only take you ten minutes at most to reach one of my favorite views of Honolulu proper: Puu Ualakaa State Park. I also feel it is the most wheelchair compatible, with up close parking, and a concrete walkway straight out to the lookout, when compared to say Diamond Head, (forget it), or Punchbowl, (possible but tedious).
We took a plate lunch picnic up to the Park. There are several picnic tables spread out, and with the brief showers, nice to have them under a sheltering roof. To the right of this area are public restrooms, and to the left is a brief walk to spectacular photo ops. This would be great for a panoramic video sweep.
There usually is some wind, so I muted the mike and added in some instrumental Hawaiian tunes from da kine Guava Jam CD.
To your left is Diamond Head, then Waikiki and downtown Honolulu. Looking right you’ll see more high rises, Ala Moana, Sand Island, Pearl Harbor, the airport, et al.
Tips: There’s no admission fee to the Park, which closes at sunset, there are plenty of feral cats up here, (we saw rangers feeding them from sacks of cat chow), and no matter what anyone says, please do not park on the road, or find yourself in the Tantalus area after dark. It just isn’t safe, and car theft/vandalism might be the least of your worries. Article by: Casey Stewart
