North Shore NewsMake a New Year’s resolution to your health and happiness by kicking off 2018 with an invigorating First Day Hike at Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline. On January 1, all 50 states will participate in the seventh annual national event that encourages everyone to celebrate the New Year with a guided outdoor exploration.
DLNR Division of State Parks Administrator Curt Cottrell has taken a leadership position and personal interest in the annual hike to the top of the famed Makapu’u Lighthouse lookout in east O’ahu. “Our Hike is perhaps the best attended in the country,” Cottrell said, with upwards of 700 people making the short two-mile round-trip trek to the top. He added, “Sunrise will be greeted and heralded in with a pu (blowing of a conch shell) in the four cardinal directions, followed by an oli and Taiko drummers. We are hoping to also have bagpipers to round off what has become a cross cultural celebration of the New Year.” In addition hikers will enjoy one of the most spectacular views in Hawai’i, might catch Humpback whales breaching and frolicking in the waters below, and weather permitting, be the last to see the sunrise in America on New Year’s Day.
The gate at Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline opens at 5:30am and sunrise is at 7:09am. The trail is paved and handicapped accessible.