Hawai'i the Big Island - Hawaii - page 324

of fine black sand and, further south, a coconut grove surrounding Luahinewai MAP , a
pretty spring-fed pool.
Walking north (right if facing the water), low tide reveals tide pools that are popular
feeding and napping grounds for sea turtles and offer plenty of snorkeling possibilities.
Inland near the end of the gravel path is a lava tube/Queen's Bath filled with clear
freshwater; adventurous swimmers can check it out. Rumor has it other tubes in the area
are some of the longest in the island. Lots of folks stop here to wash off salt water, but
please note there is an actual ecosystem within the pond, and coming in while wearing
suncreen can harm said environment. Just past the Queen's bath is a sandy patch with a
keiki pool perfect for the little ones.
Keep going north. You'll pass a gargantuan private estate with a yellow mansion and
tennis courts, then a huge Balinese house . This estate was built in Indonesia, then taken
apart and reassembed here. Keep a respectful distance from this private residence, then
continue on to the north end of Kiholo.
You'll see more black sand fronted by smooth pahoehoe lava. Follow along a circular
bay, crossing a bridge over a fishpond, and you'll come to Wainanaliʻi Pond , also known
as the Blue Lagoon. Green sea turtles love this spot; on our last visit we saw no less than
10 sunbathing on the sand. You may see them swimming around if you want to snorkel,
although the presence of freshwater stream outflow clouds underwater visibility.
To get to Kiholo, turn seaward on the unmarked, graded gravel road between mile
markers 82 and 83. Follow the road for a mile, taking the left-hand fork and park at the
roundhouse. An alternate way in, which we prefer for the scenery, is hiking from a trail-
head located by a small, rocky parking lot just north of mile marker 81. Hike along the
trail at the bottom of the lot for 20 to 30 minutes (bring water), and say hi to the goats.
You'll pop out just north of the Balinese house. Kiholo is a popular camping spot for loc-
als; just be aware that there's no potable water.
Keawaiki Beach MAP is just north of Kiholo Bay. This secluded black-sand strand
fronts the former estate of Francis Iʻi Brown, an influential 20th-century Hawaiian busi-
nessman. It's fine for swimming when calm, but wear reef shoes, as sea urchins like the
rocks. To get here, park between mile markers 78 and 79 on Hwy 11; there's a small lot
in front of a boulder-blocked gravel road. Walk the road to the estate's fence, then follow
the trail to the right around the fence to the beach.
Finally Kiholo Bay does have the largest concentration of tiger sharks in the Big Is-
land. Once in a blue moon someone is attacked, but we wouldn't worry, as the sharks
tend to swim further offshore.