Diamond Head State Monument was added to Your Favorites!
Honolulu, Hawaii
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Diamond Head, known as Lēʻahi in Hawaiian, is a volcanic tuff cone formed about 300,000 years ago during a single explosive eruption.
The summit of Diamond Head was used as a strategic military lookout point in the early 1900s, with bunkers and artillery installed to protect Honolulu Harbor.
Diamond Head is home to several plant species that are found nowhere else in the world, making it a unique ecological site.
The hike to the summit of Diamond Head is a popular activity, offering panoramic views of Waikiki and the Pacific Ocean from 760 feet above sea level.
British sailors in the 19th century mistook calcite crystals embedded in the rock for diamonds, giving the crater its name.
In 1968, Diamond Head was designated a National Natural Landmark due to its geological significance and natural beauty.
In Hawaiian culture, Diamond Head is known as Lēʻahi, which means 'brow of the tuna,' and is associated with the goddess Pele.
