Koko Head is the
headland that defines the eastern side of
Maunalua Bay along the southeastern side of the Island of
Oahu in
Hawaii. On its western slope is the community of Portlock, a part of
Hawaiʻi Kai. Koko Head (at 642 ft or 196 m) is an ancient
tuff cone that is somewhat dwarfed by its neighboring tuff cone,
Koko Crater, with its peak, Kohelepelepe (or Puʻu Mai), rising to 1208 ft or 368 m. Koko Head itself has three significant depressions or old vents, the largest of which forms the well-known Hanauma Bay. Koko Head's last eruption was 3,000-5,000 years ago and it is part of the
Honolulu Volcanics.[1]
This eastern end of Oʻahu is quite scenic and most of the area is part of Koko Head Regional Park, administered by the
City & County of Honolulu. The following features and natural areas are found between Koko Head and the eastern end of the island at
Makapuʻu:
Koko Crater is a large tuff cone that visually dominates the area. Within the crater are horse stables and the
Koko Crater Botanical Garden specializing in
cacti and succulents.
Lānaʻi Lookout is a scenic lookout that features a very distant view of the Island of
Lānaʻi to the southeast of Oʻahu.
Molokaʻi, directly across the
Ka'iwi Channel, is closer and nearly always visible during the day; Lānaʻi is visible only under good atmospheric conditions, although if visible from anywhere on Oʻahu, it will be visible from this pull-out/parking area. The cremated ashes of
Barack Obama's
mother and
maternal grandmother were scattered here in 1995 and 2008.[2]
Sandy Beach is a popular beach for surfing and a park popular for kite flying because
trade winds (offshore here) are strong and steady most days. Sea conditions off the beach tend to be rough most of the time and the bottom drops away relatively quickly, so this is not a beach for relaxed swimming, but very popular for more extreme water sports and watchers.