Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
by strolling the church cemetery, where the gravestones have cameo portraits and fresh-
cut flowers.
Just down the road past the church,
Keʻanae Beach Park
has a scenic coastline of
rough black rock and hypnotic white-capped waves. Forget swimming: not only is the
water rough, but this is all sharp lava and no beach. You could drive for a couple of
minutes more, but it becomes private and the scenery is no better, so be respectful and
stop at the park.
The rock islets you see off the coast - Mokuhala and Mokumana - are seabird sanctu-
aries.
Ching's Pond
OUTDOORS
Back up on the Hana Hwy, the stream that feeds Keʻanae Peninsula pauses to create a
couple of tempting swimming holes just below the bridge, 0.9 miles after mile marker
16. You won't see anything while driving by, but there's a parking pull-off immediately
before the bridge. Walk over to the bridge and behold: a deep crystal-clear pool and a
little waterfall. Locals often swim here, but note the ʻNo Trespassing' signs. Enjoy the
sight, but swim elsewhere.
Keʻanae Peninsula Lookout
VIEWPOINT
The paved pull-off, on the left just past mile marker 17 (and beside the the yellow
tsunami speaker), offers a superb bird's-eye view of the lowland peninsula and village.
From here you can see how Keʻanae Peninsula was formed late in the geological game -
outlined in a jet-black lava coast, it still wears its volcanic birthmark around the edges.
The views of coconut palms and patchwork taro fed by Keʻanae Stream make one
tasty scene. If it's been raining lately, look to the far left to spot a series of cascading wa-
terfalls.
Sleeping & Eating
YMCA Camp Keʻanae
CABINS $
(
248-8355;
www.ymcacampkeanae.org
; 13375 Hana Hwy; campsite or VW van site s/family $20/
35, cabins per person $20, cottages $150)
When they're not tied up by groups, the Y's cab-
ins, on a knoll overlooking the coast, are available to individuals as hostel-style dorms.
You'll need your own sleeping bag, and cooking facilities are limited to simple outdoor
grills. Another option is to pitch your tent on the grounds. The Y also has two cottages,
each with full facilities, two bedrooms and a lanai. The camp is located at mile marker
16.5. Advance reservations are required.
