Indian Chief Travel Guides

East Honolulu

East Honolulu comprises the southeast corner of the island, lying immediately to the east of Honolulu and Waikiki, between Diamond Head and Makapu’u Point. It takes in the coastal stretch along Maunalua Bay, Koko Head and Hanauma Bay. This is also one of the more affluent areas on the island, with several exclusive residential communities tucked away in the Ko’olau foothills and valleys, just above Maunalua Bay; among the enclaves are Kahala, Aina Haina, Niu Valley and, most impressive of all, Hawaii Kai, a sprawling subdivision with extensive waterways and lagoons, situated at the foot of Koko Crater.

Beaches, Koko Head and Hanauma Bay

For visitors to East Honolulu, there are a series of beach parks strung along Maunalua Bay: Wailupe, Kawaikui, Kuliouou, and Maunalua Bay Beach Park, which has a boat ramp for boating, jet-skiing and parasailing, and also offers windsurfing possibilities. Of interest here, too, are the distinctive, 642-foot landmark, Koko Head, and the horseshoe-shaped, aquamarine Hanauma Bay. The latter incorporates in it the Hanauma Bay Underwater Park, a designated marine life preserve, which was also the locale of such memorable films as Blue Hawaii, starring Elvis Presley, and From Here to Eternity.

Sea Life Park

Another place of interest in the area is Sea Life Park, where you can see a variety of marine life, including whales, dolphins, sharks, Hawaiian monk seals, sea lions, turtles, penguins, and the world’s only “wholphin” - the offspring of a killer whale and a bottlenose dolphin. The park also features an aquarium, a whaling museum and several large, marine exhibits.