Beginning at the eastern terminus of Interstate H-1 (H-1), the east–west highway travels along the southeastern shore of Oʻahu through various residential neighborhoods, including Hawaiʻi Kai.

The six-lane road travels east through a residential neighborhood along the north side of the Waialae Country Club towards the Pacific Coast.

At Wailupe Beach, it turns northeast and continues along the coast through ʻĀina Haina, crossing several streams and suburban lagoons.

[1] The highway turns southeast near Hawaiʻi Kai, crossing the inland waters of the Kui Channel and climbing part of Koko Crater.

The highway was named for Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, a Hawaiian prince and later Congressman who attempted to restore Queen Liliʻuokalani to the throne after the 1893 overthrow by American residents.