Diamond Head at Sunrise

Everyone who visits Waikiki is told to hike Diamond Head at sunrise.  That's why we put it off - we didn't want to battle crowds of tourists and we undervalued the experience.  But man, it was worth the trip once we did it.  A simple hike up to the highest point on the perimeter of the youngest volcano on O'ahu.  The sunrise really was spectacular - if you miss it then you might as well wait til the next day.   You hike all the way up in the dark - hikers bring flashlights.  The point provides nice views of the eastern coast of the island in both directions.  The nicest sky was toward Hanauma Bay and Koko Crater - the other obvious cones on the island.  

Looking west toward Waikiki.

This gives you an idea of the size of the krater - its walls are in the foreground of this shot.  Pretty cool!

The lookout point is an abandoned army post hidden in the wall of the crater.

One of the best parts of the experience was hearing the simultaneous "Ooohs!" and "Ahhs!" from the Asian tourists as the sun finally showed up.  A chorus that you'd swear had practiced the response before the hike.  For Matthew, this comedy was worth waking up early:)

The view in the opposite direction, toward Waikiki and Pearl Harbor beyond.

What a nice surprise - a rainbow right over the ridge of the krater spotted as we descended the trail.  Temporary, ephemeral, gorgeous.

Gives you an idea of the trail character - many switchbacks, many people.  In this case, everyone is stopped to photograph the rainbow.

Huge Koa Trees  - a nice grove on the floor of the krater.

We took this photo as we were flying to the Big Island a few days later.  It does a good job of giving some perspective and scale to Diamond Head (in the foreground).  Pretty cool, huh?