Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
where toddlers play in the freshwater shallows at the middle of the beach park. The water's
usually about 78ºF (26ºC), the views are spectacular, and the setting, at the foot of the sheer,
green Koolaus, is idyllic. Best of all, the crowds haven't found it yet.
The 35-acre beach park is intersected by a freshwater stream and watched over by life-
guards. Facilities include picnic tables, barbecues, restrooms, a volleyball court, a public boat
ramp, free parking, and an open-air cafe. Kailua's new bike path weaves through the park,
and windsurfer and kayak rentals are available as well. To get here, take Pali Highway (Hwy.
61) to Kailua, drive through town, turn right on Kalaheo Avenue, and go a mile until you see
the beach on your left. Or take TheBus no. 56 or 57 into Kailua, then the no. 70 shuttle.
KUALOA REGIONAL PARK
★★★
This 150-acre coconut palm-fringed peninsula is the biggest beach park on the windward
side and one of Hawaii's most scenic. It's on Kaneohe Bay's north shore, at the foot of the
spiky Koolau Ridge. The park has a broad, grassy lawn and a long, narrow, white-sand beach
ideal for swimming, walking, beachcombing, kite flying, or sunbathing. Picnic and camping
areas are available, too. In ancient Hawaii, this was a very sacred spot where Hawaiian chiefs
brought their infant children to be raised and trained as rulers. Today, the park is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places. It's easy to see why it was so revered: The curtain of the
Koolau Mountains provides a spectacular backdrop in one direction. The waters are shallow
and safe for swimming year-round, and at low tide, you can swim or wade out to the islet of
Mokolii (popularly known as Chinaman's Hat), which has a small sandy beach and is a bird
preserve—so don't spook the red-footed boobies. Lifeguards are on duty.
Because both residents and visitors frequent this huge beach park, it's better to go on a
weekday. The park is on Kamehameha Highway (Hwy. 83) in Kualoa; you can get here via
TheBus no. 55.
KAHANA BAY BEACH PARK
★★★
This white-sand, crescent-shaped beach is backed by a huge, jungle-cloaked valley with dra-
matic, jagged cliffs and is protected by ironwood and kamani trees. The bay's calm water
and shallow, sandy bottom make it a safe swimming area for children. The bay is famous
for the akule (bigeye scad), which come in seasonally; papio (skip jack) and goatfish are also
found here. The surrounding park has picnic areas, camping, and hiking trails. The wide
sand-bottom channel that runs through the park and out to Kahana Bay is one of the largest
on Oahu—it's perfect for kayakers. Locals come here on weekends, so weekdays are less
crowded. The beach park is on Kamehameha Highway in Kahana; take TheBus no. 55 (Circle
Island) to get here.
HAUULA BEACH PARK
The town of Hauula and nearby Hauula Beach Park were named after the hau trees that were
once abundant. Although less plentiful now, the trees continue to blossom here every July and
August. The blossoms begin as a bright yellow flower in the morning, changing color as the
day progresses, until they are reddish gold by dusk and dark red by night, when they fall to
the ground. The cycle is repeated the next day.
