Start your Oʻahu day the way locals love to: climbing Koko Head in the dark and reaching the summit just as the sun rises over the Pacific. This small-group hike follows the historic Koko Crater Railway Trail. Its old wooden railway ties, built during World War II to supply the military station at the top, form a natural staircase of about 1,048 steps straight up the crater. It’s a real workout, and the reward is one of the best sunrise views on the island: Hanauma Bay, Hawaiʻi Kai, Maunalua Bay, Diamond Head and, on clear mornings, the neighbour islands on the horizon. Your experienced local guide sets a comfortable pace, shares stories about the trail and the island along the way, and makes sure you reach the top in time for the colours. You’ll be back in Waikiki with the whole day still ahead of you.