Diamond Head Lighthouse
The Diamond Head Lighthouse is a 55-foot U.S. Coast Guard light tower built in 1917 on the coast below the seaward side of the crater. It is an active aid to navigation, and the house beside it, built in 1921, is the residence of the commander of the Coast Guard's Oceania District. From August 2026 the tower is wrapped in scaffolding for repairs expected to finish in spring 2027.
The Lighthouse at a Glance
A Light Where Fires Once Burned
Long before the tower, the summit of Lēʻahi held navigation fires lit to guide canoes along the shore; one meaning of the name Lēʻahi is "fire headland," according to the state's park brochure. The brochure notes that the Diamond Head Light, built in 1917, carries on that job today as a visual aid for navigation.
What the Coast Guard Says
- Tower: the current 55-foot tower was built in 1917.
- House: the adjacent residence was built in 1921 and is the living quarters for commanders of Coast Guard Oceania District, which oversees Coast Guard units in Hawaii, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Singapore and Japan.
- Repairs: a long-term maintenance project began in early August 2026 to repair aging concrete and replace railings, decks, ladders, windows and frames. The tower is covered with scaffolding and sheeting during the work.
- Light: a temporary navigation light is mounted for mariners while the work goes on.
- Finish: the Coast Guard expects completion in spring 2027.
Can You Visit the Lighthouse?
The lighthouse is an active Coast Guard facility and a private residence, not part of Diamond Head State Monument, and this guide found no public tours listed by the Coast Guard. You can see it from outside: from the summit of Diamond Head, which looks down on it, and from Diamond Head Road outside the crater. The city's Diamond Head Road lookouts above the shore are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. See Diamond Head Beach Park.
Best Views
- From the summit: the agency lists the lighthouse among what you see from the top of the trail.
- From Diamond Head Road: the state's brochure map places the light on the coast outside the crater, on the Diamond Head Road side, near the city's coastal lookouts.
- During repairs: until spring 2027 expect scaffolding and sheeting on the tower in photos.
Diamond Head Lighthouse FAQ
When was the Diamond Head Lighthouse built?
The current 55-foot tower was built in 1917, and the residence beside it in 1921, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Can you go inside the Diamond Head Lighthouse?
It is an active Coast Guard light and residence, and no public tours are listed. View it from the Diamond Head summit or from Diamond Head Road.
Who lives at the Diamond Head Lighthouse?
The commander of the Coast Guard Oceania District. The 1921 residence beside the tower serves as that commander's quarters.
Is the Diamond Head Lighthouse under construction?
Yes. A Coast Guard maintenance project began in August 2026, with scaffolding on the tower, and is expected to finish in spring 2027.