Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
tiny bright-red shrimp calledʻopaeula,which occasionally emerge from subter-
ranean cracks in the lava.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Waiʻanapanapa State Park
Swim in a cave, sun on a black-sand beach, explore ancient Hawaiian sites, use the pub-
lic restrooms - yep, this is one cool park. A sunny coastal trail and a seaside campground
make it a tempting place to dig in for awhile. Honokalani Rd, which leads into
Waiʻanapanapa State Park (
www.hawaiistateparks.org
)
, is just after mile marker 32. The
road ends overlooking the park's centerpiece, the jet-black sands at Paʻiloa Bay.
Beaches
Paʻiloa Beach
BEACH
MAP
The park's beach is a stunner - hands-down the prettiest black-sand beach on Maui. Walk
on down, sunbathe, enjoy. But if you're thinking about jumping in, be cautious. It's open
ocean with a bottom that drops quickly and water conditions that are challenging, even
for strong swimmers. Powerful rips are the norm (Paʻiloa means ʻalways splashing') and
there have been several drownings here.
Sights & Activities
Waiʻanapanapa
Lava Caves
CAVES
MAP
A 10-minute loop path north from the beach parking lot leads to a pair of impressive
lava-tube caves. Their gardenlike exteriors are draped with ferns and colorful impatiens,
while their interiors harbor deep spring-fed pools. Waiʻanapanapa means ʻglistening wa-
ters' and the pools' crystal-clear mineral waters reputedly rejuvenate the skin. They cer-
tainly will invigorate - these sunless pools are refreshingly brisk!
Piʻilani Trail
HIKING
