Puu Ohia Trail
(Tantalus)

Trailhead

Description: This trail connects the high point of Tantalus Drive with the midpoint of the Manoa Cliffs Trail. It is a steep-to-gentle trail interrupted by a considerable length of concrete/paved road. Along the way, a side path reveals the larger of the twin Tantalus peaks (elev. 2,013-ft). The trail resumes at the end of the service road at the second peak (elev. 2,004-ft). Na Ala Hele: "0.75 mi / 1.2 km" What to Expect: From the makai entry point (Tantalus Drive), the trail climbs sharply along the outskirts of the Tantalus crater. After the short, nearly 400-foot ascent, the foot trail reaches a junction with the private (closed) service road near the top of Tantalus. Immediately to the left of this junction is an obvious uphill path The one-lane service road is called Telephone Road and actually originates at a gated entry point on the downhill side (west) of Tantalus Drive. The concrete/paved road zips past the first Tantalus peak, where the first foot-trail junction lies. The road ends at the second peak where the continuation of the foot-trail is to the left of a large, fenced-in transmission station replete with radio dishes and antennae. This building is owned by Verizon. All junctions of the official Puu Ohia trail are well-marked and "arrowed", making it easy for the first-timer to follow. The unmarked but obvious trail through the bamboo forest on the right of the transmission station (opposite of the official trail junction) heads down into the crater. Beyond the transmission station, the trail quickly ends at its mauka entry point: a "T" junction at about the midpoint of Manoa Cliffs Trail. A short walk to the left (west) reveals the "T" intersection with the Pauoa Flats Trail. Trailhead Location: The lower (makai) trailhead is at the highest point of Tantalus Drive and marked by a posted, metal sign. An area for parking is available across the street. The upper (mauka) trailhead is the intersection with the Manoa Cliffs Trail at about its halfway point. Accessing the Trail: This is a public trail maintained by Na Ala Hele - there are no gates or landowners to worry about. The Tantalus Drive trailhead can be approached one of two ways. The west approach is up Tantalus Drive, the east approach is up Round Top Drive. There is no clear-cut way or highway off-ramp to reach either - both of which start in the Punchbowl/Makiki area. One must take a combination of streets to reach the trailhead on Tantalus Drive. Tantalus Drive Approach (best from west Oahu) The easiest way to reach Tantalus Drive on the west (ewa) end is to drive to the Punchbowl area and eventually end up on Auwaiolimu Street. Auwaiolimu Street is the road which semi-circles the back side of Punchbowl Crater, between the crater and the mountains. Tantalus Drive intersects Auwaiolimu Street opposite the entrance to the National Cemetary of the Pacific. Koko Head-bound (headed east) on H-1, take the Punchbowl Street exit, take the first right onto Vineyard Blvd, then the first right onto Queen Emma Street. Proceed straight through the Iolani/School Streets intersection (you'll pass a "CopyRite" store) - the road is now Auwaiolimu Street. Continue around the crater - Tantalus Drive will be on your left (mauka) opposite of the cemetary entrance. Round Top Drive Approach (best from east Honolulu) Ewa-bound (headed west) on H-1, take the Wilder Street exit and continue straight through the Punahou Street intersection. Three streets later, turn right onto Makiki Street and proceed all the way up through the Nehoa Street intersection. Turn left onto Round Top Drive which is just after Baker Park. NOTE: Round Top Drive eventually turns into Tantalus Drive near the top (at the vicinity of Kalaiopua Place). Also, Round Top and Tantalus Drives can be "connected" at the bottom using the combination of Nehoa/Makiki and Auwaiolimu Streets to their respective intersections. Property/Access: Public/open. Public access and trail maintained by Na Ala Hele. Dangers/Other Considerations: As with all hiking, exercise caution and prudent judgement.