Diamond Head, or Lē‘ahi as Native Hawaiians call it, is the most iconic volcanic formation in all of Hawai‘i.

Diamond Head, or Lē‘ahi as Native Hawaiians call it, is the most iconic volcanic formation in all of Hawai‘i. Soaring high above Waikīkī, it serves as a backdrop to Honolulu’s skyline, and has forever graced postcards and pictures from the Aloha State. Even if you’ve never been to Hawai‘i, you most certainly have laid eyes on Diamond Head.

For visitors, hiking to its summit is one of the most popular activities on O‘ahu. Each day, thousands of people make their way to the top for a bird’s eye view of Honolulu and the southern shoreline. Still, despite its popularity, there’s still a lot that goes unsaid about Diamond Head, including a complex history that mixes traditional Hawaiian ceremonies, military occupation, and even an infamous concert series.

Diamond Head History and Cultural Significance

The history of Diamond Head is multi-tiered and rich, and understanding its past will help you enjoy your visit in the present.

Geological History 

Geologists estimate that Diamond Head was formed about 400,000 to 500,000 years ago during a rejuvenation-stage eruption of the Koʻolau Volcano (which is about 2-3 million years old). No, Diamond Head is not a volcano on its own; rather, it is a crater of the Koʻolau Volcano. This is important to understand, and a common misconception. Diamond Head was created during the same series of eruptions that formed Koko and Punchbowl craters, among others. More information on Diamond Head’s geology can be found here.

A Cultural Site for Hawaiians

Known to Native Hawaiians as Lē‘ahi, Diamond Head was a site of reverence and worship. In the earliest accounts of Western visitation to Hawai‘i, eyewitnesses describe seeing religious ceremonies take place upon its slopes, including animal and human sacrifice.

The name, Lē‘ahi, translates to “forehead [of the] ahi [fish].” Hawaiians named things very practically, typically after their appearance or makeup. The modern-day “Diamond Head” name comes from when early Western explorers and traders in the late 1700s mistook the crater’s calcite crystals for diamonds.

In 1895, after the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893, a bloody battle between royalist rebels and the provincial government was fought on the slopes of Diamond Head.

A Military Base

In 1904, Diamond Head was purchased by the U.S. government and turned into a military base. Tunnels were carved into the crater, batteries were built, and bunkers were installed. The trail to the summit was built in 1908 as part of the island’s coastal defense system, allowing soldiers to reach the various lookouts and bunkers. The U.S. military maintained control of Diamond Head until 1955, when it transferred control to the then Territory of Hawai‘i (remember, Hawai‘i didn’t become a state until 1959).

Modern Day Playground 

Throughout the late 50s and the early 60s, Diamond Head’s future was in doubt. Developers drooled over its real estate potential as local residents fought to maintain its integrity. Ideas included residential buildings, high-rise hotels, and even a tramway to the top of the crater, but eventually, thanks to the hard work of many activists, preservation won out. In 1962, the Diamond Head State Monument was first established, and in 1965, the state legislature preserved parts of Diamond Head as a historic site. In 1975, Diamond Head came under daily management of the State’s Park Division, and thereafter, public access was made a priority.

One other fun fact: In the late 60s and 70s, when visitation was possible by special-permit only, a radio station was given permission to host a concert series inside the crater, putting on a Woodstock-esk festival that included acts such as Carlos Santana and Buddy Miles. The concert series ran until the late 70s, when they were discontinued (for a variety of reasons, including safety). They were later repeated in 2006 and 2007, when Earth, Wind and Fire, Linda Ronstadt, Mick Fleetwood, the Steve Miller Band, and others performed.

You can read more about the concerts here. Those interested in a deeper dive into Diamond Head’s history should consider reading “Secrets of Diamond Head: A History and Trail Guide” by local author Denby Fawcett.

The Diamond Head Hike

Each day, thousands of people make their way to the top for a bird’s eye view of Honolulu and the southern shoreline, making it a favorite hike both for locals and for visitors.

Good to know: Upon arriving at the Diamond Head Crater, out-of-state visitors are subject to an entry fee. It’s $10 per vehicle if you park inside the crater (see below for parking information), or $5 per person if you walk in or arrive via bus/taxi/trolley/ride share.

The Diamond Head Summit Trail is 1.6 miles roundtrip, climbing 560 vertical feet from the crater floor to the overlook. While it’s less than a mile to the top, the elevation gain can be challenging for some, especially on hot days. But don’t let that discourage you. The path to the summit is paved the entire way, and the steepest portions have stairs, which make climbing straightforward and safe. There are also benches and lookouts along the way where you can rest. The average person will take about 45 minutes to reach the top, and about 30 minutes to descend back down.

For those interested in the history of the crater, we recommend the self-guided audio tour available from the Visitor Center. This tour highlights much of the historical, geological, and ecological significance of Diamond Head, and only costs a reasonable $4.