The Hike Up Koko Head Crater

Out of all the incredible hikes I have done during my time on Oahu, Koko Head remains my absolute favorite. Located on the southeastern side of the island near Maunalua Bay, the hike is relatively short in distance, but don’t let that fool you. The climb follows more than 1,000 old railway ties straight up the side of Koko Crater, creating a steep ascent that will definitely test your endurance.

But what makes Koko Head especially fascinating—beyond the spectacular views—is the history beneath your feet. During World War II, the U.S. military constructed facilities at the summit and built an inclined railway to haul personnel, equipment, and supplies up the mountainside. After the U.S. Air Force became a separate military service in 1947, the installation became known as Koko Crater Air Force Station.

Koko Crater Air Force Station atop Koko Head, with its AN/CPS-1 radar installation and railway system. Historical image from HANG 25, History of the Hawaii Air National Guard, 4 November 1946–3 November 1971, Col. Walter F. Judd, 1971.

Long before hikers began climbing the old railway ties for the view, this was a working military installation. The steep railway served a practical purpose, hauling personnel, equipment, and supplies to facilities high above southeastern Oahu. At the summit, radar equipment such as the AN/CPS-1 helped transform Koko Head into an important early-warning and surveillance site. Today, much of that infrastructure has disappeared, but the railway remains—turning a piece of Hawaii’s military history into one of the island’s most memorable hikes.

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