Looking towards Leeward Oahu from Kaena Point State Park

Oahu's Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve is an unexpected photographic gem, about a 90-minute drive from downtown Waikiki. This is an area of rocky shores where few hikers and fishermen venture, making for an ideal location for a little solitude. Kaena Point is unique in that it is the most northwestern point of the island; where the North shore and Leeward Coast currents meet.

Begin your journey to Kaena Point by driving up the Leeward side of the island (from Waikiki take the H-1 freeway, westbound to the Farrington Highway), through Waianae until you come to the end of the road at Yokohama Bay. Park your car (make sure you don’t leave any valuables in the car – your car may be broken into otherwise) and follow the old jeep road, originally the roadbed of the Oahu Railway line, for a distance of about 2 ½ miles; allow about 3 hours for the roundtrip. The walking is fairly easy, except for one point where the old road has been washed away. Please note that Kaena Point is a state Natural Area Reserve and a seabird nesting area; dogs are not allowed. Water conditions are very hazardous at any time of year, swimming should not be attempted.

In addition to whatever photographic equipment you take with you, you should also take the following items: 1 qt of bottled water (there is no drinkable water at the point), a cellular telephone and a flashlight (you may need to walk back to your car in the dark).

During November, the Laysan Albatross breeds here, and sandy areas in the Reserve are potential nesting sites. Additionally, the Reserve is also home to many native Hawaiian plant species, and is a refuge for the very rare Hawaiian Monk Seal (do not approach if you see one). Seabirds, including the Red-footed and Brown Boobies, the Wedge-tailed Shearwater and Brown Noddy are common to the area. Humpback whales may occasionally be seen breaching in offshore waters during the winter breeding season.

During the winter, Kaena Point is home to some of the largest waves on the island. The view of the Leeward Coast is quite outstanding during the late afternoon, when the low angled sun paints the scene with a soft golden glow, with a background of dramatic cloud and light patterns. Quite often, late afternoon showers along the Leeward Coast provide rainbows that can be incorporated into any landscape.

To photograph Kaena Point, a wide angle lens is an excellent choice to capture the foreground, often consisting of sand dunes, native plants and lava rocks, with the Leeward Coast in the background. While the North Shore can also be seen from the point, the best views are of the Leeward Coast. A fine-grained film such as Fuji Velvia brings out the colors of the dunes, plant life, as well as the distant coast.

The best times to photograph Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve are during the winter months, from October through April. During this time, the light is a soft golden tint in the late afternoon; sunsets from the point can be quite spectacular at this time of year. During the summer, the sun sets more to the north of the Reserve, and tends to be much harsher, with less cloud cover.