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Hapuna Beach 0:0

Address

Highway 19 ( Queen Ka'ahumanu Hwy.)
Kawaihae , HI

Hours

Every day Dawn - Dusk

Review

Hawaii is world renowned for it’s long, clear sandy beaches and while the majority of beaches the grace the Big Island shores are just the opposite, albeit beautiful, the sand is mostly thick coarse lava rock giving way to a small slope of sand. Hapuna Beach, along the Kohala coast, just south of Kawaihea, represents the quintessential Hawaiian white sandy beach that everybody craves

And "everybody" is precisely who visits Hapuna Beach. Not only is it a half mile of extended sandy coastline that meets the clear blue sea, with waves perfectly sized for beginner body boarders, boogie boarders and skin boarders; the swimming conditions are excellent (during the winter months, swell and currents vary) but Hapuna comes packed with all the luxuries of most mainland beaches. The beach is located just south of Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, who’s adjacent frontal shoreline is separated from the rest of the public beach by a clearly marked queue of beach chairs, umbrellas and side tables. Hapuna beach offers amenities that most Big Island beaches, even County operated ones, don’t typically provide. The ample, paved parking lot leads to a number of paved walkways down to the sand. There are shaded grassy hills to relax on and covered pavilions (some are still under construction) to sit under. Up near the parking lot is a small beach-side snack bar and rental shack, the Paradise Grill, which serves smoothies, shave ice, food and cold drinks and rents boogie boards, chairs, umbrellas and snorkel masks and fins. There is a walking trail up behind the beach that runs along the cliff line. There are small look out spots overlooking the sand and a handful of trails leading down to the water. Most tourists staying along the Kohala Coast at the majority of the island’s large resorts travel to Hapuna beach, as it is a short drive away. The beach itself provides plenty of space, even on those crowded weekend, for families and large parties to set up camp for the day. The beach is life guarded allowing parents an added sense of security. The weather along the northern coastline of Hapuna is consistent; it doesn’t experience the rainy season as heavily as its sister beaches to the south and the days are typically bright and clear. It is on these days that Maui is visible on the horizon. However, the Hawaiian sun is hot, the beach can be very windy and there is very minimal shade on the sand. Small pockets of shade can be found off the beach and near the outskirts of the beach perimeter near where the sand meets the trees and rocks. These prized locales become hot commodities, so early arrivers might be rewarded with a shaded spot and a less crowded beach.
Written By: Hadley Catalano
On: 9/4/2006

Directions

Turn left off of Hwy. 19 before mile marker 69 towards Hapuna Beach, Follow signs.

Features

Bathrooms | Fresh Water | Lifeguard | Parking | Paved Parking | Picnic Area | Picnic Tables | Sandy Beach | Shady Areas | Snorkeling | Surfing | Swimming Areas

Map

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