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Kaüpülehu Beach

(Not Yet Rated)
Kaüpülehu Beach 0:0

Address

Kaupulehu Drive
Kailua Kona , HI

Hours

Every day Dawn - Dusk

Review

Many of the beaches on the Big Island require a planned route of entry and Kaupulehu is no different. Situated along the Kona Coast, this beach, while still surrounded by lava rock, is also bordered by the Kona Village Resort. Meeting their public beach access requirement, this private resort houses yet another picturesque Hawaiian beach, complete with white sand, clear blue water, great snorkeling and an amazing view.

Located north of Kailua-Kona and the airport, Kaupulehu Drive is the entrance to the Hualalai Resort complex. Taking the immediate right off Kaupulehu, the signage instructs drivers to the Kona Village Resort. The entrance is gated and a staffer will inquiry about your purpose, simply state that you are going to the public beach and he will give you a pass to place on your windshield and instruct you as to where to park. (It should be noted that the beach only allows 13 vehicles at a time.) Cross over the road from the parking lot to where the signs point to pick up the walking path to the beach. The dirt trail is about a 10-minute walk to the water. To the left of the path is the beautifully landscaped golf course, with its green lawns contrasting against the black lava rock. Along the right side are the maintenance stations, parking, electrical units and other less than inviting scenery. Traveling further along the path there will be a couple of signs tucked into the lava rock. The signs inform walkers that they are traveling along the ancient Huehue Kaupulehu Trail that was once the main ahupuaa (land division) upland coastal transportation route and it was first used by the Hawaiians as a footpath and later by the Europeans as a horse and cart path as it provided coastal inhabitants access to the resources of the coast. Another sign set back further and located next to a small lava rock wall describes the spot as the foot of what was once the Ala Loa, a trail that linked the seashore and mountain communities of Kaupulehu. This mauka-makai trail was one of the many found along the coast that connected fishing villages with upland dwellers enabling them to exchange food and resources. While you are reading the signs you might hear some rustling noises behind you, here the resort pens in a handful of friendly donkeys. Around the bend in the tail, the path becomes enclosed with a canopy of lush tress overhead and through the thick green tunnel is a opening highlighting the brilliant blues of the ocean and clean white of the beach sand.

Where the trail ends and the beach begins is a couple of signs that inform visitors of the resorts Kukio/Kaupulehu Fishery. The area is managed by the resort using traditional Hawaiian fishing kapu to provide a sustainable yield of marine life resources. It asks that people and in particular fisherman be aware of their practices as well as a list of low abundance and spawning species of fish and the bag limit.

At this junction to the left is the Four Seasons resort and a paved pathway that leads along the rim of the sand. Public beach access is limited to the sand and water only. To the right is the Kona Village Resort and a lot more spacious sand and beach to travel and relax. The water is a bit rocky in this location and it is advised to walk further north past the Kona Village bungalows down to the small bay where there are less rocks and the water is easy to swim.
Written By: Hadley Catalano
On: 9/4/2006

Directions

About 14 miles north of Kailua-Kona take a left off of Queen Kaahumanu Highway onto Kaupulehu Drive ( Hualalai Resorts). Take the immediate right and follow Kona Village Resort and Public Beach Access signs.

Features

Bathrooms | Fishing | Parking | Sandy Beach | Shady Areas | Snorkeling | Swimming Areas

Map

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