Beach· Hawaii (Big Island)· Hawaii
Kekaha Kai State Park (Makalawena)
19° 47.5′ N · 156° 1.7′ W
A chain of undeveloped salt-and-pepper beaches north of the Kona airport: shady Mahai'ula, dune-backed Makalawena with its bird-sanctuary pond, and Kua Bay at the north end, linked by 4.5 miles of the historic Ala Kahakai coastal trail across lava.
Practical
Coordinate is To-Hawaii.com's pin for Makalawena Beach; Mahai'ula Beach is at 19.78202, -156.03737 and 'Opae'ula Pond (Makalawena wetland, a National Natural Landmark and nesting ground for Hawaiian stilts, coots and black-crowned night herons) at 19.79222, -156.02528. Park hours 8am to 7pm. Mahai'ula is reached by a rough unpaved road off Highway 19 between mile markers 90 and 91; Makalawena is a 15-20 minute walk north from Mahai'ula over lava. No drinking water. Puu Kuili (342-ft cinder cone) gives a view of the coast. Hawaiian monk seals haul out here; volunteers may ask you to stay clear. From seaward, the Coast Pilot warns that shoal water extends about 0.7 mile off between Makolea and Kawili Points (3-4 miles north of Keahole), with tide rips off Makolea Point and breakers 0.5 mile out in heavy swell; strangers should keep 1.5 miles off.
Best for
Wild beach walk on a calm day from Kua Bay or by car from Kona
Season
Calm summer days; heavy winter swell closes out the beaches
Nearby
- Mahai'ula to Makalawena Coastal Walk0.5 NM away
- Mahai'ula Beach (Kekaha Kai State Park)0.7 NM away
- Kua Bay (Manini'owali Beach)1.7 NM away
- Winter North Swell on the Kona-Kohala Anchorages1.7 NM away
- Kikaua Point Beach Park2.3 NM away
- Kuki'o Beach2.5 NM away
- Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA)3.3 NM away
- Garden Eel Cove and Keahole Dive Moorings3.5 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).