Kaʻala

Kaʻala
Mt. Kaʻala, as seen from near Dole Plantation.
Highest point
Elevation	4,025 ft (1,227 m)[1]
Prominence	4,025 ft (1,227 m)
Listing	Ribu
Coordinates	21°30′25″N 158°08′34″W[2]
Naming
Language of name	Hawaiian
Pronunciation	Hawaiian pronunciation: [kəˈʔɐlə]
Geography
Kaʻala Hawaiian Islands
Location	Oahu, Hawaii, US
Parent range	Waianae Range
Topo map	USGS Haleiwa
Geology
Rock age	3.9 Ma
Mountain type	Plateau
Volcanic arc/belt	Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain

Kaʻala or Mount Kaʻala (pronounced [kəˈʔɐlə] in Hawaiian) is the highest mountain on the island of Oahu, at 1,227 metres (4,026 ft). It is a part of the Waianae Range, an eroded shield volcano on the west side of the island. The FAA maintains an active tracking station at the summit, which is closed to the general public and secured by the US Army which is stationed at the base of the mountain, at Schofield Barracks. The tracking station can be clearly seen from afar as a white, domed-shaped structure.

Climbing

The round-trip hike to the summit is a strenuous effort that typically takes 4-6 hours to complete. Much of the trail is steep, heavily foliaged, narrow, and muddy. Some segments of the trail have ropes and ladders in place due to the steepness and slipperiness. The round-trip hike has a distance of 7 miles (12km) and 3600ft (1100m) in elevation gain.[3]

See also

• List of mountain peaks of the United States
  • List of volcanoes of the United States
    • List of mountain peaks of Hawaii
• Evolution of Hawaiian volcanoes
• Hawaii hotspot
• Hawaiian–Emperor seamount chain

References

1. "Mt. Mount Ka'ala". Department of Forestry and Wildlife. State of Hawaii. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
2. "Ka'ala". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved December 23, 2009.
3. "Mount Ka'ala Hike To The Highest Point On Oahu, Hawaii". www.journeyera.com. April 5, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2025.