In ancient Hawaii, fires were used as navigational beacons for canoes along the southern coast of O'ahu, a practice now replaced by the Diamond Head Light, which was established in 1917. This historical method of guidance highlights the ingenuity of early Hawaiians in using natural resources for navigation.

The name "Diamond Head" originated in the 1800s when British sailors mistakenly believed they had found diamonds in the crater. They hurried to Honolulu to share their discovery, only to find the gems were actually worthless calcite crystals. Despite the misunderstanding, the name "Diamond Head" has endured. This anecdote captures the blend of discovery and misinterpretation inherent in exploration.