This Page is Dedicated to Information, Art, T-Shirts and Products
Relating to Hawaii's Reknowned Makapu'u Lighthouse.
*Scroll down for History and information about the Lighthouse.
Artist Patrick Ching has a special connection to Hawaii's lighthouses having lived and worked at the Kīlauea Lighthouse on Kaua'i as a wildlife ranger for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He also has lived near the Makapu'u Lighthouse for many years of his life.
In 2009, Ching's Naturally Hawaiian Gallery hosted the 100th Anniversary of the Makapu'u Lighthouse Celebration which included an art exhibit, a hike to the lighthouse with some of the folks who cared for the lighthouse, and a centennial T-shirt designed by Ching and drawn
by Nick Black.
This year, a colorized version of the original centennial T-Shirt design is available.
Click on design to Order
Inside the Light Pictures Below
Makapu'u Centennial
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On October 1, 1909 the Makapuʻu Lighthouse shone for the first time. Its twelve foot tall hyper-radiant lens is the largest in the world. Artist Patrick Ching has a longtime relationship with lighthouses. In the 1980’s and 90’s, he lived at the Kīlauea Point Lighthouse on Kauaʻi before moving to Waimānalo town in 1992. At Waimānalo, he spends many of his mornings surfing the bay below the Makapuʻu Lighthouse or running the path that overlooks it.
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Makapu'u Lighthouse
America's most powerful lighthouse shines from the cliffs of Makapuʻu on Oʻahu's east shore. The twelve foot hyper radiant lens sends out a beam of light that can be seen from a boat fifteen miles out to sea. Before the lighthouse, the great frigate bird called ʻIwa displays its seven foot wingspan. Beyond the lighthouse are the peaks of Mount Olomana, and the area of Waimānalo.
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Light Waves
Early morning surf breaks beneath the Makapuʻu lighthouse on Oʻahu's east shore. Red-footed booby (birds) passes over the waves of Makapuʻu each morning on the way to their ocean feeding grounds. This is one of Patrick Ching's favorite surf spots. This painting was inspired by a beautiful wave that threw him onto the jagged rocks.
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Makapu'u Sunrise
A glorious sunrise at Makapuʻu Bay on Oʻahuʻs east shore. This is a beloved surf spot of the many island residents including the artist.
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Moon Light Makapu'u
On Oʻahu's eastern point known as Makapuʻu (bulging eyes) sits one of the world's strongest working lighthouses. When the moon is full it rises in golden glory behind the Makapuʻu light creating a majestic silhouette. The colors of the sky show the bluish shadow of the Earth fading into a pinkish twig light glow.
Makapu'u Lighthouse
On a majestic perch upon ancient cliffs on the easternmost point of Oʻahu, a beacon of light has been shining at Makapuʻu Point every night for over a century. While many lighthouses have become obsolete due to technological advances, Makapuʻu continues to serve as a crucial navigational aid and has been since it was built in 1909.
According to the United States Coast Guard, the light emanating from the lighthouse can be seen from a distance of 28 miles away. In comparison, Diamond Head Lighthouse can be seen from 17 miles away.
The Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail is a two-mile (round trip) trail within the Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline and is managed by the Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural resources. The trail is open daily. While the trail is paved, there is quite an incline, and conditions can be challenging, so bring plenty of water and be prepared for sun and wind exposure.
On a typical day, the sun can be intense. While it is a harsh environment, resilient plant life clings to the cliffs a