Sunrise hike at Makapuu offered Sunday

Start 2012 with a New Year’s Day hike on the Makapuu lighthouse trail in the Ka Iwi State Scenic Wilderness Park.

To mark the occasion, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources will open the gate along Kalanianaole Highway to allow vehicles into the trail parking lot at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday only.

The gate normally is opened at 7 a.m.

Assistant state parks administrator Curt Cottrell will lead a hike up the old, paved lighthouse management road to the summit of Makapuu Ridge to watch the sunrise at 7:09 a.m.

A chanter will offer a traditional Hawaiian oli (chant) to greet the first sunrise of the New Year.

The 1.5-mile roundtrip hike is considered of moderate difficulty and suited for children of any age. Infant strollers are welcome.

Windbreakers, supportive shoes, warm beverages and cameras are recommended.

After the sunrise, and depending on interest, parks staff may lead people down a steep and difficult side trail to a coastal bench at sea level that has several large tide pools teeming with aquatic wildlife and an active blowhole.

For this optional three-quarter-mile hike, children should be at least 5 years of age and comfortable with navigating a steep and rocky trail.

Call the Division of State Parks at 587-0300 for more information.