O'ahu - Hawaii - page 172

Laʻie Shopping Center FAST FOOD, SUPERMARKET $
MAP
(55-510 Kamehameha Hwy; most shops closed Sun) Fast-food restaurants, shops and ser-
vices cluster in this mini-mall, about a half-mile north of the PCC. Foodland supermarket
has a takeout deli and bakery, but doesn't sell alcohol and it's closed Sunday (this is Mor-
mon country).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Malaekahana State Recreation Area
You'll feel all sorts of intrepid pride when you discover the wild and rugged beaches of
Malaekahana State Recreation Area ( www.hawaiistateparks.org ; Kamehameha Hwy [Hwy 83];
7am-7:45pm Apr-1st Mon in Sep, 7am-6:45pm 1st Tue in Sep-Mar) . A long, narrow
strip of sand stretches between Makahoa Point to the north and Kalanai Point to the
south, with a thick inland barrier of ironwoods. Swimming is generally good year-round,
although strong currents occur in winter.
Kalanai Point, the main section of the park, is less than a mile north of Laʻie and has
picnic tables, BBQ grills, camping, restrooms, drinking water and outdoor showers. Pop-
ular with families, the beach is also good for many watersports, including bodysurfing,
board surfing and windsurfing.
When the tide is low and the water is calm, it's possible to wade over to Mokuʻauia
(Goat Island) , a state bird sanctuary about 400yd offshore. It has a small sandy cove with
good swimming and snorkeling. Be careful of the shallow coral (sharp) and sea urchins
(sharper), and don't approach or disturb the nesting and burrowing seabirds. When the
water is deeper, only strong swimmers knowledgeable about rip currents can make it
across - ask lifeguards about current conditions.
Sleeping
Malaekahana has two of the Windward Coast's safest, most sheltered public camp-
grounds. Camping at Kalanai Point requires getting a state-park camping permit in ad-
vance ( Click here ) . As with all public campgrounds on Oʻahu, camping is not permitted
on Wednesday and Thursday nights.
Friends of Malaekahana Campground CAMPGROUND $