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Kaelehuluhulu

(Not Yet Rated)
Kaelehuluhulu 0:0

Address

http://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dsp/haw...
Queen Kaahumanu Highway
Kailua Kona , HI 96740
808-974-6200

Hours

Sun-Tues 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thurs-Sat 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Review

There are two beaches located at the foot of Kekaha Kai State Park. Mahaiula is the most popular spot, situated slightly north, between two groves of coconut trees and home to the old red diving lodge that still stands. Just around the southern tip of Mahaiula Bay is Kaelehuluhulu beach. It is separated from Mahaiula by a broken wall of lava rock that has formed a protective barrier around the beach. Differing from its sister beach, Kaelehuluhulu also has white sand, but is a bit coarser and speckled with black lava rock. The swimming here is less accessible due to the amount of rock leading into the water, but there is one wide sandy area that allows easy entry and exiting to the excellent off shore swimming and snorkeling. Although the lava rock barrier protects Kaelehuluhulu from most unpleasant ocean conditions, there is a small reef break off shore that is sometimes occupied with local body boarders.

Back in 1977, the days before Kaelehuluhulu became a state park, a man named Ivar Kaipo who owned a company called Hawaii Untouched, Inc leased this portion of Mahaiula Bay out from the original Magoon family owners. He would bring visitors to come and enjoy a quiet, relaxing day at isolated Kaelehuluhulu beach where he had built small thatched bamboo structures and provided restrooms. Later Kaipo obtained an easement in 1979 and built a private paved access road through the lava rock down to the shoreline paradise. Now, the land fronting Kaelehuluhulu provides visitors with the quiet amenities of an isolated beach without intruding on its pristine beauty. The brackish ponds, palm and coconut trees still enhance the coastline. The state has built restroom facilities and a parking lot, as well as sidewalks and stairs. The once-standing structures of Kaipo’s day remain on site as well as a handful of picnic tables and barbeque pits that see their fair share of use by many local families in the afternoons and on the weekends. Kaelehuluhulu is also populated frequently with local fisherman who cast their lines off the rocks along the southern cliffs and shore. Tourists still travel down to this oasis, but due to the long, uneven, bumpy road, many tourists opt for the more convenient beach locations. However, since the recent work done on the access road, many more tourists are risking the occasional scrap to the underside of the car and traveling down the long road to Kaelehuluhulu. The parking for the beach is past the first small parking area and located at the very end of the road next to the red bathroom facilities.
Written By: Hadley Catalano
On: 9/4/2006

Directions

Take Queen Kaahumanu Highway (#19) 2.6 miles north of the Kona (Keahole) Airport. Turn left down access road at Kekaha Kai State Park. Follow till end.

Features

Bathrooms | BBQ Grills | Fishing | Parking | Paved Parking | Picnic Area | Picnic Tables | Sandy Beach | Shady Areas | Snorkeling | Swimming Areas | Kid Friendly

Map

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