Pillbox Trail (Lanikai)

The Lanikai Pillbox hike is the Kaʻiwa Ridge Trail, which climbs the ridge behind Lanikai on Oʻahu's windward side. It passes through native and introduced coastal plants and ends at the first WWII bunker, one of the pillboxes DLNR describes as observation stations. It is an undeveloped trail with little state maintenance: very steep, dry, hot and dusty when dry, slippery when wet, with cliffs, sudden drop-offs and full sun. Wear covered shoes and watch your step on the trail and on the bunkers. If you bring a dog, keep it leashed and bring extra water for it. The trail is open from sunup to sundown. Parking is very limited and illegally parked cars are towed, so carpool or come another way, and do not drive or park past Kaelepulu Drive. Keep noise down and do not litter, out of respect for the neighborhood at the trailhead, and leave loud audio devices at home. Alcohol, bicycles, camping and commercial use are not allowed. DLNR reopened all of Oʻahu's forestry and wildlife lands in late September, and it asks hikers to take care, since hazards it has not yet found or fixed may remain.