Geology[edit]

Diamond Head is part of the system of cones, vents, and their associated eruption
flows that are collectively known to geologists as the Honolulu Volcanic Series,
eruptions from the Ko?olau Volcano that took place long after the volcano formed
and had gone dormant. The Honolulu Volcanic Series is a series of volcanic eruption
events that created many of O?ahu's well-known landmarks, including Punchbowl
Crater, Hanauma Bay, Koko Head, and Manana Island in addition to Diamond Head.

Diamond Head, like the rest of the Honolulu Volcanic Series, is much younger than
the main mass of the Ko?olau Mountain Range. While the Ko?olau Range is about 2.6
million years old, Diamond Head is estimated to be about 500,000 to 400,000 years
old.[5]

View from the rim showing the Waikiki neighborhood (left), the cone (right) and the
pillbox at the peak (middle)
History[edit]
The interior and adjacent exterior areas were the home to Fort Ruger, the first
United States military reservation on Hawaii. Only a National Guard facility and
Hawaii State Civil Defense remain in the crater. An FAA air traffic control center
was in operation from 1963 to 2001.[6]

Diamond Head - Side 1.jpg

Diamond Head - Side 2.jpg
Park Brochure: Diamond Head State Monument
Tourism[edit]
Diamond Head is a defining feature of the view known to residents and tourists of
Waikiki, and also a U.S. National Natural Monument. The volcanic tuff cone is a
State Monument. While part of it is closed to the public and serves as a platform
for antennas used by the U.S. government, the crater's proximity to Honolulu's
resort hotels and beaches makes the rest of it a popular destination.

A 0.75-mile (1.1-km) hike leads to the edge of the crater's rim. Signs at the
trailhead say that the hike takes 1.52 hours round-trip, and recommends that
hikers bring water. Although not difficult, the signs also say that the hike is not
a casual one: the mostly unpaved trail winds over uneven rock, ascends 74 steps,
then through a tunnel and up another steep 99 steps. Next is a small lighted tunnel
to a narrow spiral staircase (43 steps) inside a coastal artillery observation
platform built in 1908. From the summit above the observation platform both Waikiki
and the Pacific Ocean can be seen in detail. It is a short but steep hike it is a
170 m (560 ft) elevation gain for a total elevation of 232 m (762 ft).[2] There is
a water fountain near the bathrooms at the foot of the trail in case you want to
hydrate before the hike or fill an empty bottle. The park closes at 6:00 pm and
signs posted indicate that you are not allowed to head up the trail after 4:30 pm.
[2] A downloadable certificate is available to those who complete the climb.[7]

National Natural Landmark[edit]

In 1968, Diamond Head was declared a National Natural Landmark. The crater, also
called Diamond Head Lookout was used as a strategic military lookout in the early
1900s. Spanning over 475 acres (190 ha) (including the craters interior and outer
slopes), it served as an effective defensive lookout because it provides panoramic
views of Waikiki and the south shore of Oahu.[8]

The Diamond Head Lighthouse, a navigational lighthouse built in 1917 is directly

adjacent to the crater's slopes. In addition, a few pillboxes are located on
Diamond Heads summit.