Kaʻala, or Mount Kaʻala, is Oahu’s highest mountain at 1,227 metres (4,026 feet), rising in the Waianae Range from an eroded shield volcano that reflects the island’s volcanic origins. Though once volcanic in form, it is now deeply worn by time. Its summit is notable not only for its height but also for an active FAA tracking station, visible as a white dome, in an area closed to the public and secured by the US Army from nearby Schofield Barracks. A demanding hike reaches the top over about 7 miles, with steep elevation gain and muddy, narrow sections aided by ropes and ladders.