Makapuu Lighthouse

I have to say I like lighthouses. I collect pictures and figurines of lighthouses all over. I even made a painting of the Diamond Head lighthouse.

This picture was taken sometime ago from the Makapuu beach side when we went sightseeing which started from the Hanauma Bay through Bellows AFB. The Makapuu lighthouse reminds me so much of the lighthouse we have in Subic Bay and conjures lot of happy memories. We call it “parola” which came from the Spanish word “faro” which means lighthouse or beacon. That’s exactly what the Subic Point is, a beacon. It served as the guide for all US Naval ships that were coming into the harbor during the war in Vietnam. Commercial ships and commercial fishing boats also uses this lighthouse as a guide at night to aid in visibility of a land nearby.

I remember when I was a kid, we always go to the bottom of the lighthouse to gather oysters which were attached to the rocks. We even bring cooked rice and vinegar with garlic to dip the raw oysters in.

Did you know that Makapuu Point Lighthouse has the biggest lenses in the world?

I visited the Cabrillo Monument just recently, where Point Loma lighthouse is located. I was able to see the intricacy of the making of a lighthouse. Point Loma has a a place for the keepers of the house and you will be able to see history as to what type of clothes the keepers wore back then and also the utensils they used in their quarters.

Too bad we can’t go and see the Makapuu lighthouse to see what’s inside just to see a glimpse of history. The US Coast Guard is the one in charge of the place.