Hawaii, HI : Sand Island State Recreation Area

Sand Island State Recreation Area

Hawaii

Honolulu County

Honolulu

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Address End of Sand Island Access Road, off Nimitz Highway (92) Honolulu, HI

Directions
From Waikiki, take Ala Moana Boulevard west until it becomes Nimitz Highway. Pass Downtown Honolulu. Turn left on Sand Island Access Road (Highway 64) and continue straight to its end at the park.

Description:
Located at the entrance to Honolulu Harbor, Sand Island is a 140 acre, landscaped coastal park nearby Downtown Honolulu. While prospective park-goers are sometimes wary by the industrial area of the harbor that they are required to drive through to reach Sand Island, keep going, and the park will provide a welcome oasis from the coastal docks. Sand Island boasts a fine view of the Honolulu coastline from the harbor to Diamond Head and is noted as a place to view Oahu’s stunning sunsets.

This is a large waterfront park directly on the ocean, and has over 100 acres of spacious grass lawns, partially shared by medium-sized iron-woods and sea grape. Palm trees line the long, uncrowded sandy beach. The sand here is coarser than at other Oahu beaches, and the offshore bottom is rocky and uneven. This park caters to mostly locals but the occasional tourists will also drop by, sometimes to experience the history.

Sand Island was extensively used by the military during WWII for coastal defense. As you’re taking a jog or checking out the local surfers, you’ll be standing among several bunkers and lookout towers that stand deserted and appear totally out of place among acres of grassy park land. Sand Island was once known as Quarantine Island during the nineteenth century when it was used to quarantine ships believed to hold contagious diseases. During World War II, Sand Island was used to camp Japanese-American citizens and foreign nationals from Germany, Italy, and other countries as part of the wartime effort.

This park is ideal for picnicking and camping including bathroom and shower facilities. In addition, a boat ramp is located nearby. While the beaches are never crowded, this site, however, lies in the flight path of the Honolulu Airport, so if quiet solitude is what you are seeking this may not be the place.

Written By: John Kim

Features
Kid Friendly | Parking | Restrooms | Picnic Area | Swimming Areas | Wheelchair Accessible | Camping | Picnic Tables | Bathrooms | Picnic Tables | Walking Trails

Comments
Very precise description, thanks!
- DY on Thu, August 17, 2006

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