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Kaena


Ka'ena Point in far distance is the western tip of O'ahu,
seen here from Kaneana on the south shore near Mākua Cave ()

Ka'ena or Ka'ena Point is the westernmost tip of land on the Island of O'ahu. The point can be reached by foot from both the south (Waianae Coast) and the north (Mokulē'ia) coastlines; walking in from the north side is recommended. An unimproved track extends some three miles along the coast from the end of the paved road on the north side, where a gate prevents entry of all except authorized vehicles.

In Hawaiian, ka'ena means 'the heat'. The area was named after a brother or cousin of Pele who accompanied her from Kahiki. The State of Hawaii has designated the point as a Natural Area Reserve to protect the fragile (to vehicular traffic), native strand vegetation still abundant there. Waters around the point can be quite dangerous to swimmers due to strong and unpredicatble waves and currents.


Ka'ena is also a point and land section on Hawai'i Island, and the name of the northwestern tip of the Island of Lāna'i.